Decision details

The report of the Assistant Director Finance was submitted to request funding to deliver the new Exeter Bus Station as part of the redevelopment scheme for the existing Bus and Coach Station site. The request for £6.25 million would be added to the City Council’s capital programme, with £4 million to be set aside from Community Infrastructure Levy, (CIL), and £2.25 million from capital receipts.

Councillor Prowse, having given notice under Standing Order no.44, spoke on this item. He questioned if the proposed bus station would be large enough for a growing city and how the budget of £6.25 million allocated to the delivery of the new bus station had been arrived at.

The Leader clarified the position with regards to funding options explored for the delivery of the bus station and that Devon County Council as the transport authority had confirmed that the proposal was fit for purpose.

The Assistant Director Finance made a short presentation, and included details of the proposed Exeter Bus station facilities, and the practical aspects of the delivery of the Bus Station site.  He also presented the financial options that had been considered. The project would be subject to ongoing scrutiny to ensure value for money and additional governance arrangements would be put in place to ensure a successful outcome for the delivery of the project.

In response to a Member, the Assistant Director Finance confirmed that funding for the Bus Station was allocated in the CIL 123 list.

The Chief Executive & Growth Director clarified that stakeholders including Stagecoach had been consulted at an early stage on the number of bays required. He confirmed that the outline planning application for the entire Bus and Coach Station site, including the leisure complex, would be submitted to an Extraordinary meeting of Council on 20 January 2016. This would address the question of the acceptability of a new bus station and requirements from the Local Transport Authority.

The majority of Members supported the proposed way forward to expedite the delivery of the project and acknowledged that funding of £4 million had been allocated from CIL receipts for the provision of a bus station. 

The Leader proposed an additional recommendation regarding the governance arrangements to ensure a successful outcome for the delivery of the project. This was agreed by the majority of the Members.

RECOMMENDED to Council:-

(1)          that a budget of £6.25 million is allocated for the delivery of a new bus station in Exeter; and

(2)          decisions regarding expenditure within the £6.25 million budget, including approval of the design and implementation of interim arrangements for the bus station, be delegated to the Leisure Complex and Bus Station Programme Board. The Board will replace the existing Leisure Complex Programme Board and new terms of reference will be produced.  The Board will be politically balanced in accordance with the necessary proportionality requirements.

(In accordance with Standing Order no.43, Councillor Leadbetter requested that his vote against this recommendation be recorded).