Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 a period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the meeting on any matter relevant to the work of the body in question.  Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman or person presiding will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers. Members of the public are not required to give notice to use this facility. However, as a matter of courtesy, a period of 24 hours’ notice is encouraged.

Members of the public wishing to ask a question at the meeting should provide at least three clear working days’ notice in writing and should include the question with that notice. This will enable an informed answer to be given.

No members of the public were present.

Contribution to the Square Kilometre Array Project at Jodrell Bank

1.    That the revisions to the Business Case be noted, in addition to the recommendations from the additional due diligence undertaken since the Cabinet decision in April 2015.

2.    That the Executive Director of Economic Growth and Prosperity, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and S151 Officer, makes the final investment decision on the terms set out in the Business Case.

3.    That the Director of Legal Services and S151 Officer be authorised to undertake all necessary actions required to enact the transfer of the Council’s £1m grant to the University of Manchester, including entering into all necessary contractual arrangements including but not limited to a Grant Agreement.

Consideration was given to supporting the growth and success of the Jodrell Bank site as a unique asset in the Cheshire Science Corridor.  The Council continued to work closely with partners across the region to support its central role in both the scientific research and visitor economy landscapes. It was reported that the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Organisation had been formed in November 2011 and was comprised of 10 member states including the UK, Australia, Canada and the Netherlands; once completed it would be the largest scientific project on earth and deliver transformational science for 50 years.

In April 2015 the Council committed to contribute £1m to assist the national effort to secure the headquarters of the SKA project at Jodrell Bank, in addition to a commitment to explore opportunities for improved highways access for the site, as part of the Council’s Borough-wide £280m investment in road and rail connections over the next 5 years.  The Council’s public commitment to supporting the retention of the SKA HQ at Jodrell Bank has been cited as a contributing factor in their decision to locate the permanent headquarters of the project at the site.

It was estimated that successfully retaining the permanent headquarters would leverage £1billion of private sector investment and create 200 highly skilled jobs, in addition to the positive reputational benefits of being home to an internationally significant research project.  Following the Council’s commitment in April, further external advice was taken as to the mechanism by which this could be delivered, and the Business Case had subsequently been updated.

RESOLVED

1.    That the revisions to the Business Case be noted, in addition to the recommendations from the additional due diligence undertaken since the Cabinet decision in April 2015.

2.    That the Executive Director of Economic Growth and Prosperity, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and S151 Officer, makes the final investment decision on the terms set out in the Business Case.

3.    That the Director of Legal Services and S151 Officer be authorised to undertake all necessary actions required to enact the transfer of the Council’s £1m grant to the University of Manchester, including entering into all necessary contractual arrangements including but not limited to a Grant Agreement.