Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member Development and Safety

RESOLVED THAT

1.    the procurement route to market as set out below be approved :

a.    The Council seek a delivery partner with skills and experience of a Master Developer;

b.    The delivery partner is secured for all of the Council’s ownership and it is intended there is no separation of the commercial and residential elements of the proposed scheme;

c.    The structure of the agreement is likely to be delivered through a Development Agreement or a Joint Venture, to be defined during dialogue with bidders;

d.    Due to the Council’s objectives and need to retain a degree of control over the development, the opportunity will need to be procured following EU procurement rules and it is recommended the Competitive Dialogue procedure is followed;  and

e.    Flexibility is built into the procurement and contract in order to allow for delivery over a lengthy time period, where there will be changes in policies, legislation and market conditions.

2.    the draft timetable for procurement noting key stages and time allowed be noted.

3.    Authority be delegated to the Managing Director Place and Growth, in consultation with the Cabinet Member Development & Safety and Executive Director Finance and Assets to make key decisions through the dialogue and shortlisting stages of the procurement process.  The final decision on the preferred bidder will be a decision of Cabinet prior to any contract close. 

The Cabinet Member Development and Safety introduced the report and stated that Cyber Central represented the most important development this council had ever undertaken. The report sought authority for the council to start its search for a development partner to bring forward the land acquired at West Cheltenham for development. The vision was for the site to deliver a campus that integrated high-tech workplaces with leading academic facilities, exemplar homes and leisure uses.

He reported that in advance of formal procurement process the council had been engaged in a series of soft market testing interviews relating to Cyber Central. Thesesought feedback on the approach and procurement process from a range of key operators, investors and developers in the market.  This feedback had been used in formulating the delivery strategy for the project.

The Cabinet Member referred to the procurement programme as outlined in paragraph 4.1 of the report and emphasised that there was a tight timescale starting in mid April with the selected preferred bidder to be announced in a year’s time at the latest.

He emphasised that the council was looking to retain a significant level of control of the development which would require high levels of sustainability and build quality and would create attractive jobs.

He emphasised that this was a vital scheme for the future of the town.

Finally, the Leader added that he was keen for the project to progress, acknowledging that this was a complicated process.

RESOLVED THAT

1.    the procurement route to market as set out below be approved :

a.    The Council seek a delivery partner with skills and experience of a Master Developer;

b.    The delivery partner is secured for all of the Council’s ownership and it is intended there is no separation of the commercial and residential elements of the proposed scheme;

c.    The structure of the agreement is likely to be delivered through a Development Agreement or a Joint Venture, to be defined during dialogue with bidders;

d.    Due to the Council’s objectives and need to retain a degree of control over the development, the opportunity will need to be procured following EU procurement rules and it is recommended the Competitive Dialogue procedure is followed;  and

e.    Flexibility is built into the procurement and contract in order to allow for delivery over a lengthy time period, where there will be changes in policies, legislation and market conditions.

2.    the draft timetable for procurement noting key stages and time allowed be noted.

3.    Authority be delegated to the Managing Director Place and Growth, in consultation with the Cabinet Member Development & Safety and Executive Director Finance and Assets to make key decisions through the dialogue and shortlisting stages of the procurement process.  The final decision on the preferred bidder will be a decision of Cabinet prior to any contract close.