Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the last meeting held on 23 June 2020 were agreed as a correct record subject to it being noted that Councillors R Beadle and J Wallace were also in attendance.

Consideration has been given to a further update on discussions with

Councillors, Corporate Management Team and employees on developing a

recovery framework.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the contents of the report be noted.

(ii)

That the continuation of the shielding hubs arrangements through until September 2020 to support our local communities be approved.

(iii)

That the advice and guidance from the Director of Public Health continue to be acted upon in relation to the reintroduction of Council services.

(iv)

That the shielding hubs model and The Gateshead Housing Company review be approved as the basis for bringing forward a route map for recovery within the borough.

(v)

That the continuing appreciation of the response of employees, partners and local community/voluntary organisations in providing services and assistance to the residents of Gateshead during the pandemic, be placed on record.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To support and guide the borough’s recovery from COVID-19.

(B)

To help support and build a more resilient Gateshead.

RESOLVED -

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the remaining business in accordance with paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Consideration has been given to:

a)    the final business case for a new multi-storey car park to replace parking on Mill Road and South Shore Road car parks and to serve the emerging developments at Gateshead Quays and Baltic Quarter in central Gateshead;

b)    delegating authority for officers to agree the final terms of the construction delivery agreement that will facilitate development of the building in 2021; and

c)    procuring a specialist car park management company via the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) to manage the multi-storey car park.

The alternative options to those being recommended, but which were discounted, included not awarding the contract and in-house or hybrid management options for the car park.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the final business case be approved.

(ii)

That entering into a contract with Wilmott Dixon Construction Limited via the SCAPE Major Works Framework for the progression of stage 4 detailed design in the sum of the amount set out in the report be approved.

(iii)

That the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth, following consultation with the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance and Strategic Director, Resources and Digital, be authorised to agree the final terms of the pre-construction delivery agreement for the Stage 4 detailed design, and thereafter the final works construction contract with Wilmott Dixon Construction Limited via the SCAPE Major Works Framework, within the approved capital allocation for this project.

(iv)

That entering into an OJEU procurement exercise to secure a management company to operate the multi-storey car park for an initial 5 years be approved and the results of this to be reported back to Cabinet in due course.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To provide car parking to support the commercial demands of Gateshead Quays area and Baltic Quarter.

(B)

To manage the assets of the Council’s non-operational portfolio in line with the Corporate Asset Strategy and Management Plan 2015 -2020.

(C)

To ensure delivery of the Newcastle Gateshead Quays development business plan.

Consideration has been given to approval in principle for the Council in its housing authority role, to purchase 28 family homes, 12 supported apartments and 4 supported bungalows from Gateshead Regeneration Partnership (GRP), using funds from the Housing Revenue Account, at Whitley Court in Wrekenton. The units would predominantly be for affordable rent managed by the Gateshead Housing Company, with scope to have a small number available for affordable sale (up to maximum of 10).

RESOLVED -

(i)

That acquiring the 44 properties from GRP, subject to planning approval and confirmation of Homes England funding, be approved in principle.

(ii)

That a further report be submitted to Cabinet in November 2020 on the final business case and associated recommendations on the purchase the properties, including funding.

The above recommendations have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To support the delivery of 44 homes, with a start on site in January 2021.

(B)

To secure a minimum level of Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes programme  funding, of the amount set out in the report from Homes England, to support the scheme.

(C)

To enable income to accrue to the Council; and training, employment and socio-economic benefits for the residents and businesses of Gateshead.

(D)

To utilise the Council’s land and property portfolio to support the Council’s policy priorities in accordance with the provisions of the Council’s Corporate Asset Strategy and Management Plan 2015 – 2020.

(E)

To deliver the objectives of the Housing Strategy 2019-30, including to improve the quality, condition and management of housing so that all residents benefit from safe, healthy, energy efficient and well-managed homes and neighbourhoods, to meet identified housing need and supported housing requirements in Gateshead.