To consider the Cabinet report ‘The Bournemouth International Centre’ scheduled for consideration on 12 July 2019; which will set out options in respect of the Bournemouth International Centre and surrounding area. The O&S Board is asked to scrutinise the report and make recommendations to Cabinet as appropriate.
Cabinet members invited to attend for this item: Councillor Lewis Allison, Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Leisure and Communities; Councillor Mark Howell, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Culture.
The Cabinet report will be published on Thursday 4 July 2019 and available to view at the following link:
https://democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=285&MId=3720&Ver=4
Minutes:
The Portfolio Holders for Tourism, Leisure & Communities and Regeneration & Culture presented the report to the Board. The Board was advised that the hotel project relating to the site adjacent to the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) required further investigation and research as did the options for the redevelopment of the BIC. The options in relation to this were set out in the report and included combining the BIC site with the adjacent potential hotel site. The tender process which was started by Bournemouth Borough Council was now ready to progress. However, the decision to be taken by Cabinet would be to halt the procurement process for the hotel site and look at the site as whole including the BIC. The following points were raised by the Board:
· The Chairman commented that he was very supportive of the development of the site but could see the rationale for looking at everything in one go. However, he commented that the hotel scheme could revitalise the process for redevelopment rather than throwing everything into the mix. In response it was noted that the process to date was not being cancelled altogether but that the various options would be looked into and all stakeholders would be consulted.
· The Chairman asked about the implications of the site being gifted from the Regional Development Agency on the proviso that the Council would procure hotel development on the site, He suggested that the Council could wait for the outcome of the procurement process before taking a decision. The Portfolio Holders responded that utilising the whole site might allow for greater flexibility and releasing the service road between the sites would allow for greater build space.
· Councillors asked about the timescale for the analysis of site options and it was confirmed that the entire process would take approximately 12 months. A Councillor asked about the potential abortive costs of halting the procurement process and if there was an indicative figure. The Portfolio Holders advised that it wouldn’t be possible to provide an estimate, but the chance of a successful challenge was extremely low. They advised that they were satisfied that the Council was protected against the risk.
· In response to a question the Portfolio Holders made clear that the recommendations were in relation to a feasibility study and that all options were a possibility at this stage. The feasibility study would cover risk/cost and potential benefit.
· A number of Councillors felt that the procurement process should proceed as it was in a position to be able to and would provide further information to help make a decision on the site in future. There were some concerns raised that other areas had moved forward with first rate conference facilities and Bournemouth needed to ‘catch up’. Councillors commented that disregarding the work which had already taken place would be detrimental. However, the Board was advised that to proceed with the procurement increased the risk for a potential abortive cost claim.
RESOLVED that:
That the Overview and Scrutiny Board supported the recommendations as outlined in the Cabinet report at ‘a’ and ‘c’ but disagreed with recommendation ‘b’.
Note: A Councillor requested a recorded vote on this item. Details of the vote are recorded below:
Voting: For: Chairman - Cllr Broadhead, Cllrs Anderson, Dove, Fear, Lawton, and Kelsey. Against: Cllrs Brooke, Earle, Farquhar, Hilliard, Maidment and Rigby. Abstained: Vice-Chairman – Cllr Haines and Cllr Iyengar.
The Chairman used his casting vote to pass the motion.