Issue - meetings

Report of Assistant Director – Growth and Economy

Purpose of report

(i)             to provide the Executive with the background and context for this capital project;

(ii)            to set out the business need for the Bicester Market Square enhancement proposals;

(iii)          to gain approval to appoint consultants to undertake feasibility studies, further design work and consultation with key stakeholders and the wider public. 

(iv)          to provide the Executive with an understanding of the governance of the project and gateways to full scheme approval

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1      to confirm the business need for transformational public realm improvements at Bicester Market Square

1.2      to approve the expenditure (up to a level of £180k) required for consultants to undertake detailed design through to planning permission and consultation with stakeholders; to include associated studies on;

-       the relocation of parking and wider impacts of parking within Bicester

-       traffic movement and flows through Market Square and around the Town Centre, including access for existing businesses/users

-       a full design of the Market Square public realm improvement project with full business case for the capital expenditure and future revenue impact from changes to car parking income and any future costs

1.3      to note the governance of the project to monitor and review development of the full business case which will return to Executive for approval prior to delivery of the project.

Resolved

(1)           That the business need for transformational public realm improvements at Bicester Market Square be confirmed.

(2)           That the expenditure (up to a level of £180k) required for consultants to undertake detailed design through to planning permission and consultation with stakeholders be approved and it be noted this will include associated studies on;

-     the relocation of parking and wider impacts of parking within Bicester

-     traffic movement and flows through Market Square and around the Town Centre, including access for existing businesses/users

-     a full design of the Market Square public realm improvement project with full business case for the capital expenditure and future revenue impact from changes to car parking income and any future costs

(3)           That it be noted the governance of the project to monitor and review development of the full business case which will return to Executive for approval prior to delivery of the project.

The Assistant Director – Growth and Economy submitted a report to provide the Executive with the background and context for this capital project; to set out the business need for the Bicester Market Square enhancement proposals; to gain approval to appoint consultants to undertake feasibility studies, further design work and consultation with key stakeholders and the wider public; and,  to provide the Executive with an understanding of the governance of the project and gateways to full scheme approval.

Resolved

(1)          That the business need for transformational public realm improvements at Bicester Market Square be confirmed.

(2)          That the expenditure (up to a level of £180k) required for consultants to undertake detailed design through to planning permission and consultation with stakeholders be approved and it be noted this will include associated studies on;

-     the relocation of parking and wider impacts of parking within Bicester

-     traffic movement and flows through Market Square and around the Town Centre, including access for existing businesses/users

-     a full design of the Market Square public realm improvement project with full business case for the capital expenditure and future revenue impact from changes to car parking income and any future costs

(3)          That it be noted the governance of the project to monitor and review development of the full business case which will return to Executive for approval prior to delivery of the project.

Reasons

Significant resources (£4.25m) have been made available to progress this project through the Council’s capital programme and officers are now seeking to bring forward more detailed plans in consultation with stakeholders and the public for members to approve.

Therefore, officers are seeking to have the business need for delivering this project at the market square in Bicester affirmed and for authorisation to expend up to £180k of the anticipated £900k professional fees on relevant studies, consultation and detailed design (to the point of planning application submission) to enable a further report to members recommending approval for the final scheme and how it will be delivered. 

Alternative options

Options would be evaluated as part of the consultation process