Agenda item

The Senior Growth Strategy and Projects Officer introduced the report on the refurbishment options for 5 – 7 Market Place, Gainsborough. She explained that the premises had been purchased by the Council in the past and the report would be seen at the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee in order to make a decision as to how to proceed with the premises. She summarised the options that had been explored, namely to sell it at auction as it is, to sell it with conditions attached, to enter into a joint venture with a development partner or, as the option that was being recommended, for the Council to refurbish the premises for business and rental purposes. The Committee heard there was grant funding available in order to complete this work and the proposals worked together with the regeneration of Gainsborough Market Place.

The Monitoring Officer highlighted to Committee Members that the item was on the agenda for pre-decision scrutiny and the recommendation for Members was to support the progression of the report to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee and offer any comments or suggestions to aid that Committee making their final decision.

The Chairman thanked the Senior Growth Strategy and Projects Officer and invited comments from Committee Members. There was discussion regarding the funding structures and grants which were available, all of which was clarified by the Senior Growth Strategy and Projects Officer. It was stated that the cash flow information provided as supporting information was overly complicated to read in the current format and Members suggested that it could be simplified prior to going to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee. The Chairman also suggested that the report could be made easier to follow if the options for the property were in a quick reference table summarising the salient points of each option.

There was significant discussion as to how the Council had come to be in charge of the property in the first instance and it was highlighted that the purpose of the report at this point was to agree future actions, and for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to make suggestions for improvements to the report in order to make those decisions. A Member of Committee suggested that, considering the costs involved, a second valuation should be sought and local tradespeople should be consulted to ensure best value for money. It was agreed these suggestions could be included in the recommendations from the Committee.

The Senior Growth Strategy and Projects Officer explained that the building was in need of refurbishment as it would otherwise become a danger to the public. This meant that doing nothing with the property was not an option. A Member of Committee suggested that the Members of the policy committee may wish to undertake a site visit in order to understand the challenges of the project.

The Chairman reiterated the purpose of pre-decision scrutiny and summarised the suggestions that had been made by Committee Members. With no further discussion it was

RESOLVED that Members support the progression of the report to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee with the following suggestions:

a)    The report should be succinct with all three options clearly identified for ease of reference, for example in a table;

b)    The cash flow should be simplified;

c)    Opinions should be sought from local tradespeople and businesses to ensure best value for money;

d)    Consideration should be given to an independent valuation; and

e)    Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommend that a site visit be undertaken prior to any decision.