Issue - meetings

The Committee gave consideration to a report presented by the Senior Building and Projects Officer, detailing the condition of the northern boundary wall at the Trinity Arts Centre, and options under consideration for repair. Members were already familiar with many of the details of the report as the matter had previously been considered by the Committee.

The Senior Building and Projects Officer advised Members of updated circumstances, including independent legal advice which had been received, and explained the process which would be followed subject to a decision being made by the Committee. Members of the Committee reiterated concerns regarding the nature of the listed building, the ongoing maintenance, and the responsibility of the Council to balance legal requirements and the use of public monies.

In response to queries regarding the regularity of routine inspections, and whether there may be other works required to other buildings, it was explained that routine condition surveys were undertaken on a five year basis and formed the work plan for the subsequent five years.

The Committee received advice from the Monitoring Officer and Chief Executive regarding decisions required from the Committee. Members expressed clear and differing views on how to approach the works required. Having had a proposer and seconder for the recommendations, specifically, option (a) within the report, and in recognising there were no few or additional comments to be made by the Committee, the Chairman took the vote. On achieving an equal split vote, the Chairman’s casting vote was used and it was therefore

            RESOLVED that

a)    the findings of the legal advice (as detailed in the legal implications and the attached appendices) be noted; and

b)    the drawdown of the specified amount within Option 1 in the report, from the Maintenance of Facilities Reserve, to make safe the northern boundary wall at the Trinity Arts Centre following full re-submission and successful granting of Planning and Listed Building Consent, which included future maintenance works that would be due to the wall over the next 3-5 years, be approved; and

c)    final funding approval following procurement exercise be delegated to the Director of Finance and Assets (S151 Officer) in consultation with the chair of the Corporate Policy & Resources committee; and

d)    the amendment to the capital programme 2026/2027, to increase the Capital Enhancements to Council Properties scheme by the approved amount, be approved.