Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council seeking to secure approval from Members to the capital budget required to implement the Kings Square redevelopment scheme thereby enabling the appointment of a Principal Contractor and a start on site in October 2020.

Please note that Appendix A is exempt from disclosure to the press and public by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person including the authority holding that information). If Members wish to discuss Appendix A the Cabinet will need to resolve to exclude the press and public before doing so.

RESOLVED that:

(1)          the Head of Place in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Environment, the Head of Policy and Resources and the Council Solicitor is authorised to enter into a construction contract with a Principal Contractor to implement the Kings Square Redevelopment Scheme within the existing capital programme approved by Council in February 2020

(2)          authority be delegated to the Head of Place in consultation with the Council Solicitor to take all necessary steps and undertake necessary procedures, including entering into any legal arrangements or other documentation as may be required to implement or facilitate the Kings Square Redevelopment Scheme

(3)          progress be noted on the regeneration and refurbishment of Kings Square and the updated procurement strategy which led to the recommended choice of Principal Contractor.

Cabinet considered the report of the Leader of the Council that sought to secure approval from Members to the capital budget required to implement the Kings Square redevelopment scheme thereby enabling the appointment of a Principal Contractor and a start on site in October 2020.

The Leader of the Council gave the background to the report including the delay to the project caused by COVID-19.  He stated that the contractor would be a Gloucester company focussed on delivering a successful project and benefits across the whole city.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources reminded Members that the finances had already been approved for the scheme and further progress would be reflected in a revised Capital Plan and Budget to be proposed to Council in February 2021.  She further commented on the importance of completing Kings Square to residents as had been made clear in the public consultation exercises and expressed her own excitement at being part of the transformation using local contractors to provide, among other things, cultural opportunities and the return of the fountains in 21^st century form in a year’s time.  The Leader of the Council reiterated his thanks to the officers involved.

RESOLVED that:

(1)          the Head of Place in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Environment, the Head of Policy and Resources and the Council Solicitor is authorised to enter into a construction contract with a Principal Contractor to implement the Kings Square Redevelopment Scheme within the existing capital programme approved by Council in February 2020

(2)          authority be delegated to the Head of Place in consultation with the Council Solicitor to take all necessary steps and undertake necessary procedures, including entering into any legal arrangements or other documentation as may be required to implement or facilitate the Kings Square Redevelopment Scheme

(3)          progress be noted on the regeneration and refurbishment of Kings Square and the updated procurement strategy which led to the recommended choice of Principal Contractor.