Agenda and minutes

To sign the minutes of the meeting held on 10 July 2017.

The minutes of the meeting held on 10 July 2017 were taken as read and signed by the Chair as correct.   

Councillors are reminded of the need to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests that relate to business on the agenda and which have not already been included in the register of interests, before any discussion takes place on the item. Unless the interest is sensitive, you must also disclose the nature of the interest. In accordance with the Council's Code of Conduct, you must then leave the room and must not participate in any further discussion of the item.  Councillors requiring clarification should seek the advice of the Monitoring Officer prior to the day of the meeting.

No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interest were made.

The Deputy Chief Executive explained that the meeting had been called to provide an update for Members following the disappointing news that Crown Estate/TH Real Estates were no longer able to proceed with their plans for their part of the redevelopment of the city centre site (Princesshay 2) having cited market conditions. The City Council had initiated the £39.9m development to replace the outdated Pyramids swimming pool with a new leisure complex, (St Sidwells’s Point) as the current pool no longer met the needs of the city, as well as replace the dilapidated existing Bus Station. The Deputy Chief Executive referred to the regeneration of this key site, which was necessary to protect the long term prosperity of the city and also offer the ability to retain and attract new businesses.

The Crown Estate had cited the rationale for not proceeding as being:

·         the current wider market position "Unfortunately in the current market, many retailers and restaurants are now more cautious about making new commitments, particularly in proposed developments, which take time to build and require a commitment several years ahead"; and

·         the impact of the above on the viability of the scheme.

The Deputy Chief Executive made a presentation to advise Members of the way forward and provided an overview of the anticipated next steps including the potential contractor procurement process. It was noted that as a consequence of the meeting between Exeter City Council and Crown Estate/TH Real Estates:-

·         the Development Agreement would be set aside, removing the exclusivity so that discussions about future development could continue with other interested parties;

·         Crown Estate would release site information, such as drawings and surveys to help the City Council progress the development of the site; and

·         the need for the interface issues to be resolved between the Leisure Complex, Bus Station and what would have been the abutting units, (Crown Estate had been asked in principal to contribute to any interface related costs)

It was still anticipated that the current Bus Station site would close as planned in October, and the temporary interim Bus Station arrangements would be implemented, with the on street arrangements in Sidwell and Paris Street. Members were presented with information relating to the closure of the bus station including the advantages and disadvantages of continuing with the planned closure, versus keeping the existing Bus Station site open. One of the key reasons for continuing with the planned closure, was the need to de-risk the site in readiness for going back out to market. De-risking would include the decontamination of the current site, diversion of the various utilities across the site and the need to remove the current bus station building. The need to de-risk was recommended by external experts to increase the desirability of the site, to maximise its overall value, to reduce / remove risks (asbestos & ground contamination) and to send a message of clear intent that the site was ready for development.

The Deputy Chief Executive also confirmed that an Extraordinary Meeting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

The next Leisure Complex and Bus Station Programme Board Meeting will be identified to coincide with the programme gateway.

A further meeting of this Board would be arranged to coincide with the revised programme gateway.