Agenda item

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

 

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

 

1.1            The Council’s Capital Programme is a rolling programme of investment which either improves existing Council facilities or provides new Council facilities. This report outlines highlights of current status of projects under the Programme; projects recommended to be moved/added to the Capital Programme and a number of project updates.

 

2.0       Recommendations

 

2.1       The Committee is asked to;

 

            General

 

·        Note the update in relation to the Capital Programme as outlined in 3.1 and that the Property & Projects Department is happy to arrange site visits for Members/ Party Groups to any capital project (see 3.1)

 

 

            Proposed movements on/additions to the Capital Programme

 

·        Agree that the City Cemetery – Permanent Memorial to mark Plot Z1 project is moved to Stage 3- Committed on the Capital Programme with a maximum budget of £50,000 to be allocated (see 3.3).  The Director of Finance & Resources has confirmed that this is within the affordability limits of the Council.  Members are also asked to agree that the necessary procurement processes (including the invitation of tenders and/or the use of appropriate ‘framework’ arrangements) be initiated as required with contracts to be awarded on the basis of most economically advantageous tenders received and full commitment to deliver.

·        Agree that the following projects are moved to Stage 2 - Uncommitted on the Capital Programme – in addition to the ongoing works to create a new exhibition space on the ground floor of the City Hall these projects will help to provide a seamless experience for visitors both inside and outside the City Hall

 

·        City Hall West Wing - Outdoor Space including the Cenotaph – Upgrade and Enhancements – OBC to be worked up and brought back to the Diversity Group and Committee for further consideration (see 3.6)

·        City Hall – Additional toilet provision, Changing Places Facility and Family Room - OBC to be worked up and brought back to Committee for further consideration (see 3.7)

 

·        Agree that the following project is added to the Capital Programme as Stage 1 – Emerging Project - Berlin Wall Installation - SOC to be worked up and brought back to Committee for further consideration (see 3.8)

 

3.0       Main report

 

            Key Issues

 

3.1       The Council’s rolling Capital Programme is a significant programme with over £185m of projects recently completed or currently underway. Members are asked to note the updates under the Capital Programme since the last update report in June. 

 

 

            Projects recently completed/in final stages of completion

 

·        the new £21.7m leisure facility at Olympia which opened in January 2017

 

            Projects currently on the ground

 

·        Phase 2 of the £40million Connswater Community Greenway 

·        the £3.7million upgrade of the Tropical Ravine – it is anticipated that works will be completed early in 2017

·        2nd phase of the works at Olympia which will include the demolition of the existing centre which is well underway and the creation of the new Boulevard and playground and works to the pitches

·        City Hall Works to create the new dedicated exhibition and visitor space which is due to open to the public in May

 

            Projects at tender preparation stage 

 

·        Preparatory work is continuing on a wide range of projects including the remaining sites under the pitches strategy (Cherryvale and Falls), alleygating phase 4 with the installation of the gates due to commence in the summer, works at Skegoneil and Falls Park, Cathedral Gardens and the HLF bid for City Cemetery

 

            Proposed movements on/additions to the Capital Programme 

 

3.2       Members have previously agreed that all capital projects must go through a 3 Stage process where decisions on which projects progress are taken by SP&R. Members are asked to agree to the following movements on the Capital Programme.

 

            Move to Stage 3 – Committed

 

Project	Overview	Cost
City Cemetery – Permanent Memorial to mark Plot Z1	Memorial to permanently mark PlotZ1 in the City Cemetery.  This project has emerged out of the Falls Park Masterplan and has been requested to be added via the Strategic Cemetery and Crematorium Working Group	Maximum of £50,000

 

3.3       City Cemetery – Permanent Memorial to mark Plot Z1 – Members will recall that there has been a request for a permanent memorial to mark plot Z1 in the City Cemetery and the many babies that are buried within it. Members will appreciate that this is a sensitive and emotive issue and it should be noted that while there are no headstones or memorials in the plot there is a record of every baby buried.  A public consultation has been undertaken which found overwhelming support for the installation of a permanent memorial. The Strategic Cemetery and Crematorium Development Working Group have requested that this project is progressed as quickly as possible given the age of the women whose babies are buried in the plot and that this is delivered in the short term. It was agreed in August 16 that this project was moved to Stage 2 – Uncommitted on the programme. An OBC for this project has now been worked up and it is recommended that that this project is now moved to Stage 3 – Committed on the Capital Programme with a maximum budget of £50,000. The Director of Finance & Resources has confirmed that these projects are within the affordability limits of the Council

 

3.4       In addition Members are asked to agree that the necessary procurement processes (including the invitation of tenders and/or the use of appropriate ‘framework’ arrangements) be initiated with contracts to be awarded on the basis of most economically advantageous tenders received and full commitment to deliver for the above projects as required. 

 

            Move to Stage 2 – Uncommitted

 

3.5       Members will be aware that works are currently underway on the development of the new Exhibition Area in the City Hall which is due to open on the ground floor in May 2017. This will represent a significant enhancement of the building’s tourism offer and is projected to attract more than 70,000 visitors annually.  Members are asked to note that there are two City Hall projects which are recommended to be moved to Stage 2- Uncommitted on the Capital Programme which, in addition to the works above, will help to provide a seamless experience for visitors both inside and outside the City Hall therefore adding to the overall experience of the city’s key civic building and focal point. Members will however appreciate the limitations of the City Hall as a listed building and the need to ensure that any new facilities/upgrades are sympathetic to the building’s overall usage and design and this is being considered as part of the Stage Approval process.  

 

 

Project	Project overview	Proposed Stage
City Hall	Provision of a Changing Places facility, Family Room and additional toilet provision	Stage 2- Uncommitted
City Hall	Upgrade and Improvements - West Wing Outdoor Space including the Cenotaph	Stage 2- Uncommitted

 

            City Hall projects

 

3.6       Outdoor Space including the Cenotaph –– Upgrades and improvements - Members will be aware that in 2012 the outdoor space at the East Entrance of the City Hall was significantly enhanced and upgraded. Coupled with the ongoing internal works this leaves the space outside the West Wing (which includes the Cenotaph) and the surrounding area to be upgraded. The area currently suffers from poor drainage, a number of the paving stones are no longer in good repair and a number of health and safety improvements are required.  It is envisaged that the improvements will include drainage works, the installation of a new gate, paving and services (electrical), the provision of permanent ramps and softening the overall area with planting.  The area will also be a key focal point for the end of World War 1 commemorations in 2018. Members are asked to agree that this project is now moved to Stage 2- Uncommitted on the Capital Programme to allow the full detail, design and costings to be worked up.  It is also recommended that these are brought to the Diversity Working Group as it is appreciated this group is discussing many aspects of content in the grounds of City Hall.

 

3.7       Additional Public Toilet provision including Changing Places and Family Room

 

            Members are already aware that the public toilets in the City Hall are under considerable pressure and at busy times can become extremely congested. There are no purpose built facilities for people with disabilities and the Council has frequently been requested to look at the potential of providing a Changing Places facility within the City Hall. In addition requests have also come forward in relation to the creation of a family room reflecting the Council’s commitment to the Public Health Agency’s Breastfeeding Welcome Here scheme and baby changing facilities accessible for males and females.  Members are asked to agree that this project is now moved to Stage 2- Uncommitted on the Capital Programme to allow the full detail, design and costings to be worked up.  It is also recommended that these are brought to the Women’s Steering Group for further discussion.

 

            Add to Capital Programme as Stage 1 – Emerging Project

 

3.8       Berlin Wall – Installation – the Council has been gifted a section of Berlin wall by the Senatskanzlerei Berlin. The piece measures 3.6 metres high by 2.1 metres wide and weighs 3 tonnes approximately. The installation of the section forms part of the Tourism Action plan which has been agreed by the City Growth and Regeneration Committee. It is recommended that this project is added to the Capital Programme with the options for the installation and interpretation worked up as part of the SOC with further detail to be brought back to the Committee in due course for consideration. At this stage there is no commitment to invest.

 

3.9       Financial & Resource Implications

 

            Financial –The Director of Finance and Resources has confirmed that the City Cemetery project which is recommended to move to Stage 3 (see 3.3) is within the affordability limits

 

            Costs for the other projects will be worked up as part of the Stage Approval process and brought back to Committee for further discussion before any decision to invest.

 

            Resources – Resources from Property & Projects and appropriate departments in working up proposals in conjunction with groups.

 

3.10     Equality or Good Relations Implications

 

            All capital projects are screened as part of the stage approval process.”

 

            The Committee adopted the recommendations.