To receive a detailed update on the Towns Fund and Accelerated Funding Projects and agree the summary business cases and assurance framework for tranche one projects, Flag Lane Baths and Youth Zone.
Presentations will also be shared on the following items:
Minutes:
Cumberland Arena
Tom Barton, Chief Executive of Everybody Health & Leisure gave a presentation to the board on the Cumberland Arena project.
The Board were thanked for their help in supporting the project bid and were reminded about the two different options that were submitted with the application. Updates on Riba stage 2 designs were shared with the board.
Following the funding allocation of £1.876 million, plans were revised to keep within the funding envelope, which included the amendments to the car park and changing facilities.
The board heard that there was an over subscription of the Lifestyle Centre and to ensure the asset was being used throughout the week, be sustainable and to align with the wider vision for Crewe there were plans to create a multi-purpose community hub which aligned with the TIP programme, a focus on new audiences and a modern and flexible site.
The project was part of tranche three and a detailed submission would be made in June 2022, with a planning application being submitted in August 2022.
The Board made comments and asked questions in relation to linking the arena with the Lifestyle Centre, social prescribing involvement, plans for optimising facilities and the Active Travel on subscription bid details.
The Board thanked Tom, Chris and Kerry for their attendance and presentation.
The Board spent time on appraising the following tranche one projects:- Flag Lane Baths and Crewe Youth Zone. The board received a presentation from Daniel Lindsay, Ekosgen, which set out the results of a meeting with the TIP Sub-Group where projects were critiqued on the work carried out so far, and recommendations were made. The Board were minded that if they approved the documents subject to the conditions outlined in the presentation then summary documents would be submitted next week.
Flag Lane Baths
Following the presentation board members raised questions and comments in relation to:
- Was there confidence that if a phased approach was taken due to a funding shortfall that it would still achieve the objectives and benefits and be able to produce and deliver the project;
- Given the nature of space was there a self-sufficiency route planned for the project i.e rise in energy costs
- Had the increase in operating costs going forward been factored in;
- Reminder that the funding envelope would not be changed, it would be up to the projects to raise any additional funds.
It was recommended that the project was suitable for funding subject to conditions which included those around financial, commercial and management outlined in the presentation and that it met the requirements listed by Martin Wood, Assistant Director, Cities & Local Growth Unit.
Crewe Youth Zone
Following the presentation board members raised questions and comments in relation to:
- Sought assurance in respect of concerns around construction inflation costs
- The next step for communications - timescales – requirement to put out a continuous message to people of Crewe
- Assurance sought in respect of construction round Oak Street car park/erection of Multi Storey car park and the bus station.
It was recommended that the project was suitable for funding subject to conditions which included those around Strategic, financial, commercial and management outlined in the presentation and that it met the requirements listed by Martin Wood, Assistant Director, Cities & Local Growth Unit.
The Board thanked Ekosgen for their appraisal work on the projects.
RESOLVED (Unanimously)
That the board agreed to
progress Flag Lane Baths and Crewe Youth Zone projects back to
Government.