Decisions

1. To grant a lease to Unify Credit Union, for a period of six years, the property being 78 Towngate, Leyland.  The purpose for the lease is to establish a sustainable credit union branch facility in South Ribble. 

2. That the first three years of the lease is provided at a peppercorn rent, if collected.

To note the appointment of Louise Mattinson as Director of Finance.

Decision made

To appoint the contractor as detailed in the confidential report.

Reasons for decision

To deliver the McKenzie Arms passivhaus development.

Alternative options considered and rejected

1. Tender the works to the open market. This option was rejected as there would be a risk that the opportunity would attract contractors who would have to be appointed who does not have the relevant experience to deliver a passivhaus scheme.

2. Re-tender to attract further competition: the prior market interrogation suggests that no betterment would be achieved. The process has indicated that engaging a Contractor to deliver the scheme would remain challenging and a further procurement process would yield no better outcome. Another procurement for the same scheme would also potentially suggest to the market that the scheme is compromised.

3. Completely re-design and remove the Passihaus standard from the specification: the investment in the design to date of circa £200k would be abortive costs. The scheme would have to be totally redesigned and a similar fee would need to be spent. A new planning application would need to be submitted. In addition to the cost impact, the programme would be delayed by at least 6 months. This option would also send a negative message to the market and would undoubtedly compromise any future procurement.

To seek approval to a rent abatement for the Council’s commercial tenants

Decision made

1.    That the Council’s commercial tenants receive an abatement of their rent as follows:

a.    That the tenants mandated to close will receive 100% rent abatement for a period equivalent to three months

b.    That tenants not mandated to close will receive an equivalent to 30% rent abatement for a period of three months

2.    That the portfolio holder approves the rent abatement up to the current sum of £17,135.30

3.    In the event of further applications being received before the end of May, the decision to support individual tenants will be made by the Portfolio holder in consultation with the Director of Commercial Services up to an overall value of £99,000.

4.    Rent abatements will only be applied on application rather than universally.

5.    The cut off point for applications will be the end of May 2021

6.    Applications will not be accepted from ground lessees, residential tenants and licensees.

Decision Taken

That the proposed procurement strategy and evaluation criteria be approved.