Issue - meetings

Report of Commercial Director (Bicester) and Head of Housing and Regeneration

Purpose of report

To update the Executive on the progress of the priority actions arising from the Asset Management Strategy Review as reported in December 2014 and as part of the 2015/16 budget process.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended to:

1.1         Note the updates on the priority actions arising from the Asset Management Plan set out in exempt Appendix 1.

1.2         Approve the allocation of up to £120k from earmarked reserves, which will allow the progression of the key activities which focus on the priority actions arising from the Asset Management Strategy Review (exempt Appendix 2) and detailed in Section 1-4 of exempt Appendix 1.

1.3         Approve the use of £80k of the approved The Hill Youth and Community Centre capital budget to progress the Hill project to the next stage as outlined in section 4 of exempt Appendix 1

1.4         Note that a comprehensive project plan is being monitored through the Accommodation Asset Strategy Board to ensure the vision set out in exempt Appendix 2 will be delivered by 2019. Progress against this action plan will be presented to the Executive in March 2016.

Resolved

(1)          That updates on the priority actions arising from the Asset Management Plan (exempt annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be noted.

(2)          That  the allocation of up to £120k from earmarked reserves, which will allow the progression of the key activities which focus on the priority actions arising from the Asset Management Strategy Review (exempt annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(3)          That the use of £80k of the approved The Hill Youth and Community Centre capital budget to progress the Hill project to the next stage as be approved.

(4)          That it be noted that a comprehensive project plan was being monitored through the Accommodation Asset Strategy Board to ensure the vision set out in the 2014–2019 Asset Review and Strategy (exempt annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) would be delivered by 2019 and that progress against this action plan would be presented to the Executive in March 2016.

The Commercial Director (Bicester) and Head of Housing and Regeneration submitted a report to update the Executive on the progress of the priority actions arising from the Asset Management Strategy Review as reported in December 2014 and as part of the 2015/16 budget process.

Resolved

(1)          That updates on the priority actions arising from the Asset Management Plan (exempt annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be noted.

(2)          That  the allocation of up to £120k from earmarked reserves, which will allow the progression of the key activities which focus on the priority actions arising from the Asset Management Strategy Review (exempt annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(3)          That the use of £80k of the approved The Hill Youth and Community Centre capital budget to progress the Hill project to the next stage as be approved.

(4)          That it be noted that a comprehensive project plan was being monitored through the Accommodation Asset Strategy Board to ensure the vision set out in the 2014–2019 Asset Review and Strategy (exempt annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) would be delivered by 2019 and that progress against this action plan would be presented to the Executive in March 2016.

Reasons

It is important that adequate resource and a number of specialist reviews are available during this financial year in order to inform the work programme, capital programme and current strategic development projects. It has been estimated that the resources required in 2015/16 can be met from windfall income or earmarked capital receipts subject to Executive approval.

Alternative options

There is an option not to provide funding during 2015/16 and submit bids for the 2016/17 budget process. This is not recommended as a number of priority actions require resources now as they impact on other Council projects and priorities.