Decision details

RESOLVED that:-

(1    )    Greensfield Farm Alnwick

Cabinet approve the spend of £0.333 million to acquire 2 3-bedroom houses on the Wynyard Homes Greensfield Farm development in Alnwick. Note this will be funded using in year capital receipts and retained capital receipts within the Housing Revenue Account.

(2    )    Lyndon Walk

(i)             Cabinet approve the updated spend of the Lyndon Walk 13 bungalows proposal of £2.796 million. This will be funded from Housing Revenue Account reserves; and

(ii)            Cabinet approve the amendment to the Capital Programme for the updated spend as profiled in the report.

(3    )    Dene Park Windows

(i)             Cabinet approve the spend of £0.184 million to replace the windows at Dene Park House. Note that the funding for this project will come from the existing Property Stewardship Budget allocation within the Capital Programme; and

(ii)            Cabinet approve the amendment to the Capital Programme to reallocate £0.184 million from the Property Stewardship Budget to Dene Park House in 2023-24.

(4    )    Energising Blyth Programme – Energy Central Institute

(i)    Cabinet approve the amendment to the Capital Programme to establish the Energy Central Campus Phase 2 (Energy Central Institute) as a defined project in the Capital Programme with a total budget of £15.421 million as profiled in the body of the report.

(ii)   Cabinet approve the proposal to accelerate capital spend of £1.404 million in advance of business case approval to drive forward project development inclusive of spend in 2022-23.

(iii) authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Place and Regeneration to enter into a contract to the value of £1.060 million to appoint a multi-disciplinary Design Team, subject to the appropriate procurement processes being followed.

(iv) Cabinet approve the spend of £0.750 million to commence work on demolishing Keel Row Shopping Centre and 3-5/7-9 Bridge Street.

(v)  authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Place and Regeneration to enter into a contract for the demolition of Keel Row Shopping Centre and 3-5/7-9 Bridge Street, subject to the appropriate procurement processes being followed.

(5    )    Energising Blyth Programme – Technical Fit-Out and Equipment

(i)    Cabinet approve the amendment to the Capital Programme to establish the Energy Central Campus Phase 1 – Technical Fit-Out and Equipment as a defined project with a total budget of £1.450 million as profiled in the body of the report.

(ii)   Authority be delegated, in accordance with the Local Assurance Framework, to the Council’s s151 Officer following consideration by the Energising Blyth Programme Board to approve the Full Business Case and report any capital implications to Capital Strategy Group for consideration in the Capital Programme.

(6    )    Woodhorn Lift Replacement

(i)    Cabinet approve the spend of £0.121 million to replace the lift in the Winding House at Woodhorn. Note that this is funded from the existing Property Stewardship budget in the Capital Programme.

(ii)   Cabinet approve the amendment to the Capital Programme to reallocate £0.121 million from the Property Stewardship Budget to Woodhorn Lift Replacement.

(iii) Cabinet approve the novation of the MEND grant and accept the Grant Funding Agreement Terms (subject to Legal review) from the Arts Council for the sum of £0.107 million.

(7 )     County Hall – Print Room Refurbishment

                    i.     Cabinet note the spend of £0.125 million for the refurbishment of the County Hall Print Room. Also noting that the refurbishment work commenced on 28 November 2023, and that this is funded from the existing Property Stewardship budget in the Capital Programme.

                   ii.     Cabinet approve the amendment to the Capital Programme to reallocate £0.125 million from the Property Stewardship budget to County Hall – Print Room Refurbishment.