Issue - meetings

Call-In has been waived on this item under the provisions of Rule 14.3 of the Council’s Scrutiny Procedure Rules.

The reason for the urgency is that delay to this process by the Call-In Procedure would seriously prejudice the Council’s interest due to the need to procure external support and appoint a consultant by the end of October, 2019.

(i)            That the Executive Director (Resources and Support Services) in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Efficiency be authorised to procure consultancy support for the development of the Business Case for the next stage of the Future High Streets Fund project.

(ii)           That Cabinet consider a report on the Business Case before submission on 30th April 2020.

(iii)          That the call in procedure shall not apply as the decision being taken by cabinet is urgent and the delay caused by the call in process would   seriously prejudice the Council’s or public’s interests. (A signed copy of the waiver notice is held on file and an unsigned copy is appended to

the report).

A report was submitted to Cabinet which outlined the Council’s success in progressing the Future High Streets Fund to Business Case Development Phase and to agree the procurement of external support to complete this business case.

The Leader stated that the bid for Newcastle Town Centre had been submitted based on increasing void rates for empty commercial units and the opportunity presented by the Ryecroft site.

In order to progress, a top class Business Case was required and therefore consultancy support was required as there were no ‘in-house’ experienced staff for this project.

Members were pleased that Newcastle had made it through to the next stage.

The Leader made reference to the Call-in waiver on this item stating that this was urgent as there was a strict time scale to adhere to in order to progress.      

Resolved:     (i)         That the Executive Director (Resources and Support

Services) in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Efficiency be authorised to procure consultancy support for the development of the Business Case for the next stage of the Future High Streets Fund project.

(ii)        That Cabinet consider a report on the Business Case

before submission on 30th April 2020.

(iii)       That the call in procedure shall not apply as the decision

being taken by cabinet is urgent and the delay caused by the call in process would   seriously prejudice the Council’s or public’s interests. (A signed copy of the waiver notice is held on file and an unsigned copy is appended to

the report).