Quarterly Progress Report - RAMM Development Project
To consider the report of the Head of Leisure and Museums updating members on the current situation with respect to the various contracts now let for the RAMM Development Project.
Scrutiny Committee – Resources considered this report at its meeting on 15 September 2010 and comments will be reported.
(Report circulated to Members)
Decision:
The report of the Head of Leisure and Museums was submitted bringing the Committee up to date with the current situation with respect to the various contracts now let for the RAMM Development Project. Although the project was making progress and was stable, he pointed out that there were a number of risk factors which could still affect the timetable and the cost which had yet to be eliminated.
The Head of Leisure and Museums updated Executive on recent progress and informed members that monthly programme boards took place with the Architects, contractors and senior Council officers in addition to regular meetings with the Senior Members’ Group.
Scrutiny Committee - Resources considered the report at their meeting of 15 September 2010 and the support and comments of members were noted.
Councillor Mitchell attended the meeting and spoke on this item under Standing Order 44. He complimented the Head of Leisure and Museums and senior officers for the way they had managed the contract despite the very major issues which had arisen.
Members thanked officers for their continuing work on the project and supported the approach proposed in the report.
Executive recommended to Council that:-
(1) officers continue to maintain strenuous efforts to control costs and delays;
(2) in the light of the latest information on the risks which the project continues to face, contained in the Focus Strategic Cost Review of August 2010, the budget for the project be increased to £24.263m, noting the reasons for the increase in the forecast expenditure as reported in the report.
Minutes:
The report of the Head of Leisure and Museums was submitted bringing the Committee up to date with the current situation with respect to the various contracts now let for the RAMM Development Project. Although the project was making progress and was stable, he pointed out that there were a number of risk factors which could still affect the timetable and the cost which had yet to be eliminated.
The Head of Leisure and Museums updated Executive on recent progress and informed members that monthly programme boards took place with the Architects, contractors and senior Council officers in addition to regular meetings with the Senior Members’ Group.
Scrutiny Committee - Resources considered the report at their meeting of 15 September 2010 and the support and comments of members were noted.
Councillor Mitchell attended the meeting and spoke on this item under Standing Order 44. He complimented the Head of Leisure and Museums and senior officers for the way they had managed the contract despite the very major issues which had arisen.
Members thanked officers for their continuing work on the project and supported the approach proposed in the report.
RECOMMENDED to Council that:-
(1) officers continue to maintain strenuous efforts to control costs and delays;
(2) in the light of the latest information on the risks which the project continues to face, contained in the Focus Strategic Cost Review of August 2010, the budget for the project be increased to £24.263m, noting the reasons for the increase in the forecast expenditure as reported in the report.
(Report circulated to members)
Quarterly Progress Report - RAMM Development Project
To consider the report of the Head of Leisure and Museums providing an update on the position in relation to the various contracts let for the Royal Albert Memorial Museum Development Project.
Scrutiny Committee – Resources considered the report at its meeting on 15 September 2010 and comments will be reported.
(Report circulated to Members)
Decision:
The proposal of the Chair to withdraw this item at the present time was agreed in view of the need to consider the issues regarding the RAMM Development Project in greater depth.
Minutes:
The proposal of the Chair to withdraw this item at the present time was agreed in view of the need to consider the issues regarding the RAMM Development Project in greater depth.
RAMM Update
To consider the report of the Head of Leisure and Museums providing an update on the position in relation to the various contracts let for the Royal Albert Memorial Museum Development Project – report circulated to members
Minutes:
The Head of Leisure and Museums presented the report updating Members on the current situation with respect to the various contracts now let for the RAMM Development Project.
Richard Aston, Director of Focus, gave a presentation to Members analysing the reasons for, and the financial effects of, the various problems experienced by the project over the last two years.
In answer to Members’ questions, the Head of Leisure and Museums clarified that regular meetings took place with the Architects and the contractors and that monthly meetings were held with the Senior Members’ Group to update Members on the progress with the project.
Members were of the opinion that it would be beneficial if the Chair of this Committee could sit on the Senior Members Group.
The Head of Leisure and Museums invited Committee Members to visit RAMM. He would contact Members in due course. He intended to include the present membership and the new committee Members when appointed.
The Chair thanked Richard Aston for his presentation.
The Scrutiny Committee - Resources supported the report and recommended Council to approve:-
(1) that officers continue to maintain strenuous efforts to control costs and delays; and
(2) that in the light of the latest information on the risks which the project continues to face, contained in the Focus Strategic Cost Review of August 2010, the budget for the project be increased to £24.263m, noting the reasons for the increase in the forecast expenditure as reported in paragraph 10.3. of the report.
(Report circulated to Members)