Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member Built Environment

Resolved that:

1. Authority be delegated to the Head of Property and Asset Management in consultation with Cabinet Member for Built Environment to enter into competitive dialogue with bidders to dispose of the Sites, whether in whole or in part, acknowledging that disposal could be by way of a freehold transfer, leasehold disposal or a mixed freehold and leasehold disposal. The final structure of the proposed disposal to be determined by dialogue procedure and the evaluation methodology referred to below;

2. Authority be delegated to the Head of Property and Asset Management in consultation with Cabinet Member for Built Environment to select the developer in accordance with the evaluation methodology, as set out at Appendix 2;

3. Authority be delegated to the Assistant Director Built Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Built Environment to finalise the Evaluation Criteria before sending them out to the final 5 bidders.

The Cabinet Member Built Environment introduced the report which sought Cabinet approval for the proposed bidder evaluation matrix relating to the proposed disposal for mixed use development of the North Place and Portland Street sites (the ‘Sites’), currently used for surface car parking.

An amendment to the Financial implications had been circulated by the Chief Finance Officer at the start of the meeting. This section should now read “The council is looking to the development of the site to provide a net capital receipt to support the pump priming of public realm improvements across the town. The scoring criteria allows for this important element in the list of outcomes to be measured.” And these be attributed to Mark Sheldon.

Following public consultation the revised Development Brief and Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) relating to the North Place and Portland Street sites was formally adopted by the Council on 13^th December, 2010. The SPD provides the context for the marketing of the North Place and Portland Street development sites which has commenced.  Officers commenced marketing of the sites on 24th January 2011.

The selection of the preferred developer needs to follow the requirements of the EU procurement rules. He talked through the timetable for the identification of a preferred bidder to develop the sites, with the final decision going to Council for approval.

He concluded that this was the biggest development opportunity in Cheltenham for 30 years so it was very important to get it right. He was looking forward to seeing what proposals come forward and having the preferred developer selected in a year’s time.

The Leader commented that it was very welcome news and the start of a major development for Cheltenham.  He reminded members that a tremendous amount of work had been done to get to this stage and he commended those involved for their efforts.

Resolved that:

1. Authority be delegated to the Head of Property and Asset Management in consultation with Cabinet Member for Built Environment to enter into competitive dialogue with bidders to dispose of the Sites, whether in whole or in part, acknowledging that disposal could be by way of a freehold transfer, leasehold disposal or a mixed freehold and leasehold disposal. The final structure of the proposed disposal to be determined by dialogue procedure and the evaluation methodology referred to below;
   
   
2. Authority be delegated to the Head of Property and Asset Management in consultation with Cabinet Member for Built Environment to select the developer in accordance with the evaluation methodology, as set out at Appendix 2;
   
   
3. Authority be delegated to the Assistant Director Built Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Built Environment to finalise the Evaluation Criteria before sending them out to the final 5 bidders.