Issue - meetings

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(1)           approves the demolition of the former W H Smith building (625 Christchurch Road), the creation of the new pedestrian boulevard and the construction of the new Community Centre and associated hard and soft landscaping for a total scheme cost of £4.1m;

(2)           approves the financial strategy for the scheme as set out in paragraphs 11-22 with specific approval for the use of £4.1m of Towns Fund grant funding to pay for the delivery of the Community Centre;

(3)           approves entering into a Service Level Agreement with the council’s Construction Works Team (CWT), for the building of the Community Centre and pedestrian boulevard between Hawkwood Road and Christchurch Road; and

(4)           approve the delegation to the Chief Operations Officer, in conjunction with the Director of Finance and the Director of Law & Governance authority, to enter into a contract for the building works, providing all key parameters (including delivery within approved capital budget) are met.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services, Councillor Kieron Wilson presented the report on the Hawkwood Road Community Centre – Towns Fund Masterplan and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

In proposing the recommendations, the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services proposed an amendment to recommendation (3) replacing and splitting the recommendation into two parts so that it read as follows: -

3)                        (a) Approval of the build works contract to the in-house Construction Works Team (subject to capacity and acceptable budget compliance) or award of contract to an external main works contractor for demolition of the former WH Smith building and/or newbuild community centre;

(b) Delegation to relevant Service Director to undertake an external procurement process to select a main contractor for works should the in-house team (CWT) not be able to comply with the budget and/or have insufficient capacity;

Council consented to the amendment becoming the substantive motion and debated the recommendations as amended.

Councillor Joe Salmon proposed a motion as per 11.1.15 of the Constitution that the meeting be now adjourned, this was seconded by Councillor Cameron Adams.

Following discussion, it was agreed that the motion would be withdrawn and that items of business of an urgent nature be dealt with prior to the motion being put. It was agreed that the current item be dealt with, and that the meeting would then move onto and debate Agenda Item 13 (Cabinet 2 October 2024 – Minute No. 63 – High Needs Scholls Grant Expenditure Forecast) prior to adjourning.

Councillors Hazel Allen, Michelle Dower, Anne Filer and Rachel Maidment left the meeting at 11.44pm.

Debate then returned to the current item where the recommendation as amended was carried as set out below.

RESOLVED that Council: -

1)             approves the demolition of the former W H Smith building (625 Christchurch Road), the creation of the new pedestrian boulevard and the construction of the new Community Centre and associated hard and soft landscaping for a total scheme cost of £4.1m;

2)            approves the financial strategy for the scheme as set out in paragraphs 11-22 with specific approval for the use of £4.1m of Towns Fund grant funding to pay for the delivery of the Community Centre;

3)                        (a) Approval of the build works contract to the in-house Construction Works Team (subject to capacity and acceptable budget compliance) or award of contract to an external main works contractor for demolition of the former WH Smith building and/or newbuild community centre;

(b) Delegation to relevant Service Director to undertake an external procurement process to select a main contractor for works should the in-house team (CWT) not be able to comply with the budget and/or have insufficient capacity; and

4)   approve the delegation to the Chief Operations Officer, in conjunction with the Director of Finance and the Director of Law & Governance authority, to enter into a contract for the building works, providing all key parameters (including delivery within approved capital budget) are met.

Voting: For:48, Against:0, Abstentions:1

On April 18, 2024, a resolution to grant full planning permission (subject to the s106/Unilateral undertaking being issued in October) was made for the development of 68 residential flats, a GP surgery and pocket park, and a new pedestrian boulevard activated by 4 retail kiosks and a community Centre, the entirety of which, is called Hawkwood Road and will be delivered in two stages.

The new pedestrian boulevard, four kiosks and Community Centre forming part of the site, are the focus of this report.

The report is to approve the expenditure of funding for the full build and fit out of the Community Centre. This forms a significant part of the Boscombe Towns Fund masterplan which seeks to regenerate this area of Bournemouth. All projects associated with the are to be delivered by March 2026.

Whilst amendments to the masterplan are currently being considered, the Community Centre remains as outlined in the granted planning approval.

The creation of the pedestrian boulevard between Christchurch Road and Hawkwood Road will accommodate the four retail kiosks and associated seating. This is made possible by the demolition of the former W H Smith building which was purchased on 24 June 2024.

This part of the project is being fully funded by the Boscombe Towns fund Grant.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'F' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that on April 18, 2024, a resolution to grant full planning permission (subject to the s106/Unilateral undertaking being issued in October) was made for the development of 68 residential flats, a GP surgery and pocket park, and a new pedestrian boulevard activated by 4 retail kiosks and a community Centre, the entirety of which, is called Hawkwood Road and will be delivered in two stages.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that the new pedestrian boulevard, four kiosks and Community Centre forming part of the site, were the focus of the report.

Cabinet was advised that the report is to approve the expenditure of funding for the full build and fit out of the Community Centre, and that this forms a significant part of the Boscombe Towns Fund masterplan which seeks to regenerate this area of Bournemouth with all projects associated with the area to be delivered by March 2026.

Cabinet was informed that whilst amendments to the masterplan are currently being considered, the Community Centre remains as outlined in the granted planning approval, and that the creation of the pedestrian boulevard between Christchurch Road and Hawkwood Road will accommodate the four retail kiosks and associated seating which is made possible by the demolition of the former W H Smith building which was purchased on 24 June 2024.

Further to this Cabinet was advised that this part of the project is being fully funded by the Boscombe Towns fund Grant.

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

1.          approves the demolition of the former W H Smith building (625 Christchurch Road), the creation of the new pedestrian boulevard and the construction of the new Community Centre and associated hard and soft landscaping for a total scheme cost of £4.1m;

2.          approves the financial strategy for the scheme as set out in paragraphs 11-22 with specific approval for the use of £4.1m of Towns Fund grant funding to pay for the delivery of the Community Centre;

3.          approves entering into a Service Level Agreement with the council’s Construction Works Team (CWT), for the building of the Community Centre and pedestrian boulevard between Hawkwood Road and Christchurch Road; and

4.          approve the delegation to the Chief Operations Officer, in conjunction with the Director of Finance and the Director of Law & Governance authority, to enter into a contract for the building works, providing all key parameters (including delivery within approved capital budget) are met.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Housing and Regulatory Services

Reason

To enable the proposed project to progress with the agreed funding arrangements through to construction and subsequent completion to deliver the wide range of benefits to the council and local communities.