Agenda item

Major capital projects budgets: Edwards Court Extra Care Scheme and Exeter Bus Station & St. Sidwell's Point programme.

To consider the report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Culture, Leisure and Tourism.

 

Decision:

Agreed:

 

RECOMMENDED that Council approve:

 

(1)   additional funding of £1,164,049 in connection with the assessed contractual entitlement costs on the Exeter Bus Station and St. Sidwell’s Point programme being - 2.15% of the original programme budget;

(2)   the funding of £1,750,000 in relation to the ‘Covid Settlement’ payment in relation to St Sidwell’s Point;

(3)   additional funding of £363,385 in connection with the assessed contractual entitlement costs on the Edwards Court Extra Care scheme, being 2.55% of the original programme budget;

(4)   funding of £416,921 in relation to the ‘Covid Settlement’ in relation to Edwards Court Extra Care scheme; and

(5)   payments to Kier as set out in recommendations 1- 4 being be made before 24 December 2022, provided that Kier agree the sums set out above are in full and final settlement of all/any claim they may have against the Council in relation to their accounts for the Exeter Bus Station and St.Sidwells Point programme and Edwards Court Scheme and formalised by way of settlement agreement signed by both parties.

 

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

 

 

 

Minutes:

The Executive received the report which sought approval of additional funding in connection with recent major capital projects of ‘Exeter Bus Station & St. Sidwell’s Point programme’ and Edwards Court Extra Care Scheme. The progress of the projects and discussions with key suppliers/contractors were at a stage whereby the total forecast outturn costs could be confirmed. The report also sought approval for a funding request of £2,166,921 for costs in connection with Covid payments.

 

The Leader advised that, following the vote, the meeting would be moved to Part 2 to allow Members to consider exempt information for discussion as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1, Schedule 12A of the of the Local Government Act 1972.

 

The Leader read a list of the various awards won by St. Sidwell’s Point, and expressed his thanks to all those involved in its development.

 

The Director for Culture, Leisure and Tourism advised that the construction of the three sites took place during the Covid Pandemic and highlighted the challenges that were involved. He paid tribute to the teams involved and to the 2,500 construction workers who had been involved during the contract.

 

Councillor D. Moore, as an opposition group leader, spoke on this item and expressed her congratulations on the number awards. She enquired on where the money for the Covid Settlement was coming from.

 

Councillor Jobson, as an opposition group leader, spoke on this item and advised she would ask her question when the meeting moved to Part 2 due to commercial sensitivity.

 

During the discussion the following points were made:-

 

·        it was a testimony to all those involved, that the project had been delivered despite the difficulties caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic, and that the work on St Sidwell’s had continued during this period;

·        several public testimonies had been received praising both the St. Sidwell’s Point and Edwards Court Extra Care Scheme as excellent, modern and friendly facilities; and

·        Edwards Court had received praise by a resident who was nearly 100 years old who lived at the facility.

 

In response to the question raised by Councillor D. Moore, the Leader advised that money would be coming from the HRA budget and there would be no borrowing in relation to the settlement.

 

The Leader thanked Phil Lewis, Justin Pickford and Emma Osmundsen for their hard work on St. Sidwell’s Point.

 

RECOMMENDED that Council approve:

 

(1)   additional funding of £1,164,049 in connection with the assessed contractual entitlement costs on the Exeter Bus Station and St. Sidwell’s Point programme being - 2.15% of the original programme budget;

(2)   the funding of £1,750,000 in relation to the ‘Covid Settlement’ payment in relation to St Sidwell’s Point;

(3)   additional funding of £363,385 in connection with the assessed contractual entitlement costs on the Edwards Court Extra Care scheme, being 2.55% of the original programme budget;

(4)   funding of £416,921 in relation to the ‘Covid Settlement’ in relation to Edwards Court Extra Care scheme; and

(5)   payments to Kier as set out in recommendations 1- 4 being be made before 24 December 2022, provided that Kier agree the sums set out above are in full and final settlement of all/any claim they may have against the Council in relation to their accounts for the Exeter Bus Station and St.Sidwells Point programme and Edwards Court Scheme and formalised by way of settlement agreement signed by both parties.

 

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