Issue - meetings

To receive and consider the report of the Deputy Chief Executive. 

1.         Approval granted to the creation of a new capital budget of £340,646 to fund the cottage roof replacement.

2.         Approval granted transfer £107,163 from the asset improvements capital budget to undertake associated refurbishment to the cottage

3.         Approval granted to the variation of the contract with Bullen Construction to allow the work to be completed.

The Executive Member (Resources), Councillor Peter Wilson, presented the report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The cottage roof at the rear of Astley Hall was in need of urgent repair and a new budget was required to fund the work.  Once the slates had been removed a significant amount of structural repairs were identified. 

Members noted that the council would incur significant cost if the work started afresh later with scaffolding works and prelims.  The repairs have been designed with listed building consent in mind and an independent structural engineer has assisted with the solution.  The costs had been evaluated by the council’s quantity surveyor and reviewed by the external project team to demonstrate value.

Councillor Martin Boardman queried the costs for the project and thanked the Leader for sharing additional information with him prior to the meeting. 

In response to Councillor Boardman Councillor Wilson clarified that the original budget for the Astley Hall project was £1.1 million and, to date, the project had been on budget. 

Councillor Bradley noted that the original scheme had been costed out in detail, but that additional works had been identified.  Costs were rising due to external factors and works which had not been anticipated (as was often the case when working on old buildings).  One of the costs were professional fees, due to additional surveys, which were costly.  There were areas where costs could be reduced as the project progressed, for example, certain aspects of the project could be delayed for a future phase.  Members debated the costs, those originally budgeted and the updated figures.   

The project would be monitored through the Wholly Owned Company and Projects Working Group and input from all members was welcomed. 

The Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson proposed and the Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley seconded and it, was Resolved (by majority 38:0:3)

1.      Approval granted to the creation of a new capital budget of £340,646 to fund the cottage roof replacement.

2.      Approval granted transfer £107,163 from the asset improvements capital budget to undertake associated refurbishment to the cottage

3.      Approval granted to the variation of the contract with Bullen Construction to allow the work to be completed.