Decision details

To receive an update on the progress made to date on the proposal for a Technical & Digital Innovation Centre (TADIC) in Crewe Town Centre.

The Committee considered a report on the progress to date on the proposal for a Technical and Digital Innovation Centre in Crewe Town Centre.

The Technical and Digital Innovation Campus was part of the Future High Street Fund programme to revitalise Crewe, funded in full by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). The aim was to provide flexible workspace and co-working offer in Crewe focusing on supporting start-up and growing companies in the fast growing digital and creative sector, and also improvements to the heritage assets at Christ Church.

The project had undergone feasibility work and considered the potential of using both the chancel at Christ Church and the Municipal Buildings Extension. This had determined that the only financially and operationally viable approach was to use the Municipal Buildings Extension.

RESOLVED (unanimously): That the Committee

1       subject to DLUHC Agreement, approve the appropriation of the Municipal Buildings extension for the delivery of the Technical and Digital Innovation Centre project, by appropriation it was meant the lease or procurement of the building to a third party operator, cease occupation of the building by the Council, and carry out a refurbishment of the building to meet Future High Street Fund outputs.

2       delegate authority to the Executive Director Place, in consultation with the Chair of Economic & Growth Committee, Section 151 Officer, and Director of Governance and Compliance, to secure the DLUHC Agreement and, subject to DLUHC Agreement, take all necessary actions to deliver the TADIC project, including and without limitation:

·               commencing staff engagement and consultation as necessary on the proposals, and relocation of the affected staff;

·               submission of necessary applications for planning, building regulations, etc and implement consent as appropriate;

·               procurement, contract award and/or execution of all necessary leases, agreements and documentation for both the refurbishment or modifications required at the Municipal Offices and other Council assets affected as consequence of relocated functions, and for the operational delivery of the project, including negotiation commercial terms with the operator/tenant including Council contributions to the fit-out of the premises; and

·               to amend or stop the project in the event that any issues or risks emerge that would fundamentally affect the deliverability of the project, or impact on the Council’s financial position.

3          note that the historic Municipal Buildings fronting Earle Street is not part of this proposal and will be retained for civic use, including the Registrar function.

4          note that the Christ Church Chancel building will not be used for the project, but that heritage improvements to Christ Church are planned to be delivered as part of this project.