Issue - meetings

Report of the Assistant Director of Planning and Property attached.

The Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Assets (Councillor Matthew Tomlinson) and the Assistant Director of Property and Housing (Peter McHugh) presented a report on the progress of Worden Hall to the Committee and responded to members’ comments and queries.

An officer working group had met for the first time in early November and was made up of representatives across many departments, including Estates, Planning, Legal and Community Involvement. The group had outlined their priorities and objectives for the project and would meet again in December.

Officers would meet with the consultants for the project in November and December to establish an approach, implementation plan and costings for the project and a report on this would be provided to Cabinet in January 2020.

Members queried the effect that work on the Hall would have on the park and events. Opportunities for the Hall and the park to work together on events were acknowledged and clear responsibilities and permissions would be established for those working in both the Hall and the park to mitigate any potential conflict.

In response to an enquiry about the financial and social values of the project, members were informed that work on the Hall could have a significant benefit for residents and the council. The Hall could be used by a wide variety of people for a range of events such as birthday parties or community events and, whilst there is potential for the project to make a profit in its first year, members and officers involved on the project would be content to breakeven in the first year.

Consultation had formed a large part of the project thus far and members queried how this would be maintained as work progresses. It was acknowledged that there had been a clear steer provided by residents through the consultation feedback and that there was no requirement to undertake further formal consultation. Progress would be shared through the council’s communications channels to inform residents of the developments in the project.

In response to a query regarding the role of My Neighbourhood Forum members in the work on the Hall, the Committee was assured that Forum members may help to influence and shape the project once the approach is agreed.

By the next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee in January 2020, the project will have progressed, with the officer working group having met again and a report on what the project will entail having been received by Cabinet at the end of January. 

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That

1.    the Scrutiny Committee looks forward to seeing the masterplan and timeline for the Worden Hall buildings being brought back into use.

2.    the Scrutiny Committee welcomes the commitment to ensure that social value will be assessed as the project develops.

3.    the Scrutiny Committee thanks the Cabinet Member for his offer to work with the Leyland My Neighbourhood Forum on the future of Worden Hall.