The Executive Director Customer and Communities submitted a report to Cabinet on 19 December 2019 which sought project approval to replace the existing end of life community building at Bullingdon, delegate the award of the construction contract to Oxford Direct Services and to recommend Council to increase the total project budget and delegation to award the construction contract to Oxford Direct Services.

The minutes of this meeting are available at Item 13a of this agenda.

Councillor Tidball, the Cabinet Member for Supporting Local Communities, will present the report.

Recommendations: Cabinet recommends that Council:

1.     Resolves to approve an increase in the total project budget by £200,000 to £1,403,000. This is included as part of the consultation budget.

Council considered a report from Executive Director Customer and Communities which had been submitted to Cabinet on 19 December 2019 for project approval to replace the existing end of life community building at Bullingdon and to delegate the award of the construction contract to Oxford Direct Services and to recommend Council to increase the total project budget and delegation to award the construction contract to Oxford Direct Services.

Councillor Tidball, the Cabinet Member for Supporting Local Communities, presented the report. She moved the recommendation, which was agreed on being seconded and put to the vote.

Council resolved to approve an increase in the total project budget by £200,000 to £1,403,000. This is included as part of the consultation budget.

The Executive Director Customer and Communities has submitted a report to seek project approval to replace the existing end of life community building at Bullingdon and to recommend  Council to increase the total project budget and delegate the award of the construction contract to Oxford Direct Services

Recommendations: That Cabinet resolves to:

1. Grant Project Approvalto replace the existing end of life community building at Bullingdon with a modern fit for purpose facility that meets the needs of the community;

2. Delegate to the Executive Director Customer and Communities in consultation with the S151 officer and Head of Law and Governance the award of the contract to Oxford Direct Services Ltd subject to the full tender submission being within the agreed budget; and

3. Recommend to Council to increase the total project budget by £200,000 to £1,403,000. This is included as part of the consultation budget.

The Executive Director Customer and Communities had submitted a report to seek Grant Project Approval to replace the existing end of life community building at Bullingdon with a modern fit for purpose facility that meets the needs of the community.

Councillor Pat Kennedy spoke about the very great value of the Bullingdon Community Centre to the local community over many years and the important role it would continue to play. The centre played host to a diverse range of groups, clubs and associations. She paid tribute to the work of officers in bringing this proposal forward, noting  the excellent relationship they have with the centres trustees. She commended the report to Cabinet.

Councillor Marie Tidball, Cabinet Member for Supporting Local Communities, thanked Councillor Kennedy for her support for this important project. She also thanked members of the Bullingdon Community Association (who had been closely involved with the design) and  those  Ward and  County Councillors who had given  their support to ensure the development of a building which would meet the needs of the community.  The report demonstrated what great use was made of the centre and the diversity of those groups and activities. It was  noteworthy that the proposal was for a building which would meet the nearly carbon zero criteria. The significant benefits which would flow being able to proceed with the enhanced funding were set out in the report. It was expected that  that Oxford Direct Services Limited would be awarded the contract for the project on the basis set out in the report.

The Chair took the opportunity to thank Aileen Carlisle, interim Executive Director - Communities and Customer, for her contribution to this project and others during her time with the Council and to wish her well in anticipation of her imminent return to New Zealand.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.    Delegate to the Executive Director Customer and Communities in consultation with the S151 officer and Head of Law and Governance the award of the contract to Oxford Direct Services Ltd subject to the full tender submission being within the agreed budget; and

2.    Recommend to Council to increase the total project budget by £200,000 to £1,403,000. This is included as part of the consultation budget.