Agenda item

A report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration.

Key Decision

Considered, a report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration seeking in principal approval of the scheme design for public realm improvement works in Market Place, Bull Ring, Hall Croft and Field Street in Shepshed town centre (item 7 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

Councillor Seaton, Chair of the Scrutiny Commission, presented a report setting out the Commission’s pre-decision scrutiny of the matter and recommendation (copy filed with these minutes).

The Scrutiny Commission was thanked for its useful pre-decision scrutiny work both in respect of this and the previous item.

The Head of Planning and Regeneration and the Regeneration and Economic Development Officer assisted with consideration of the report.

Officers were thanked for their work in progressing this matter.  The Leader also wished to thank former Councillor Eric Vardy for the valuable work he had undertaken on the project in its early stages.

In response to a question, it was confirmed that officers would look into how it was proposed to preserve heritage features of the area.

RESOLVED

1.      that the draft project scheme design proposals, including the draft redesign option for Market Place, as outlined in Part B and Appendices 1 and 4 of the report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration be approved in principle;

2.      that authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member to make necessary modifications to the scheme design and specification in the period leading up to and during the submission of the Section 278 application in response to comments from the County Highway Authority;

3.      that the phased approach to implementing the project, detailed in Section 14 Part B of the report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration, be approved;

4.      that authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Regeneration to accept £600k of grant funding for the project from the LLEP Business Rates Pool Fund;

5.      that authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Regeneration to seek out additional funding, as may be necessary, to deliver the whole scheme;

6.      that authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Regeneration to enter into a Section 278 Legal Agreement with Leicestershire County Council, along with any other contracts and legal obligations necessary, to prepare the scheme for implementation;

7.      that authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Regeneration to undertake a procurement process for a contractor and the required professional support services, as set out in Part B of the report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration;

8.      that the report of the Scrutiny Commission be noted.

Reasons

1.      To ensure that Members are in agreement with the draft detailed scheme design (including the redesign option for Market Place) in principle so that the final scheme drawings and specification can be completed and submitted to the County Highway Authority to secure the necessary approval to carry out works on the public highway and agree any necessary TROs in order that the final construction drawings can be prepared.

2.      To enable further minor modifications to the final scheme drawings and specification to be made in response to any technical advice and requirements made by the County Highway Authority leading up to and during the Section 278 and TRO processes.

3.      To ensure that a scheme of works can be prioritised and delivered in a phased way, within the available budget.

4.      To enable the grant agreement relating to the approval of £600k capital funding from the LLEP Business Rates Pool Fund to be signed and used as match funding for this project.

5.      To respond to the provisions of the Constitution that limit the delegated authority of Heads of Service to accept grant funding above £200k without separate Cabinet approval.

6.      To obtain agreement with Leicestershire County Council that the proposed works can be undertaken on the public highway and that any other legal agreements and requirements to prepare the final scheme design for implementation can be secured.

7.      To obtain the required Cabinet approval for a procurement process exceeding £500,000.

8.      To acknowledge the work undertaken by and the views of the Scrutiny Commission.