Issue - meetings

To consider a joint report of the Deputy Chief Executive and the Corporate Director of Corporate & Support Services and the Director of Development & Regeneration.

The report presents the next steps for the redevelopment of Central Library following the opening of Stockroom in late 2023 and provides an update on the ongoing progress of the Stockroom Project.

(NOTE: The report contains an appendix that is ‘not for publication’ and has been circulated to members of the Scrutiny Committee only).

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to: -

a)    Note the progress update on the Stockroom Project.

b)   Note the update on Central Library Redevelopment Strategy and recommend for approval the proposals.

c)    Recommend for approval the release of up to £400k in reserves to fund the development of the project through to planning and construction tender in line with the steps covered in section 11 of this report.

d)   Recommend that authority be delegated for the Director of Development and Regeneration (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate and Support Services) in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance to enter into any required professional services and construction contracts and bring forth any necessary planning applications related to the refurbishment of Central Library.

e)    Recommend that authority be delegated for the Director of Development and Regeneration (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate and Support Services) in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance and Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance) to take the necessary steps to implement the strategy set out in this report.

Officer contact: James Kington, Strategic Head of Estates and Asset Management by email on james.kington@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive and the Corporate Director of Corporate & Support Services and the Director of Development & Regeneration submitted a joint report (copies of which had been circulated) presenting the next steps for the redevelopment of Central Library following the opening of Stockroom in late 2023 and provides an update on the ongoing progress of the Stockroom Project.

The Cabinet Member Highways, Parks and Leisure Services (Councillor Grace Baynham) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Concern was expressed that this item had not been considered by this Scrutiny Committee in advance of its consideration by the Cabinet despite the fact that library services fell within the remit of the committee.  In response, it was stated that the item had been considered by the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee as the majority of the report concerned the Finance & Resources portfolio.

·         A discussion took place in relation to the approximate 90% reduction in the range of books that would be on display at Central Library and whether this represented the retention of library services in the building that residents may have anticipated.  In response, it was stated that a full range of library services would be available including a comprehensive range of books and computer facilities.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources.

The report present the next steps for the redevelopment of Central Library following the opening of Stockroom in late 2023 and provides an update on the ongoing progress of the Stockroom Project.

(NOTE: The report contains a ‘not for publication’ appendix that has been circulated to the Cabinet only).

The Cabinet is recommended to:-

(1) Note the progress update on the Stockroom Project.

(2) Note the update on Central Library Redevelopment Strategy and recommend for approval the proposals.

(3) Give approval to the release of up to £400k in reserves to fund the development of the project through to planning and construction tender in line with the steps covered in section 11 of this report.

(4) Delegate authority for the Director of Development and Regeneration (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate and Support Services) in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance to enter into any required professional services and construction contracts and bring forth any necessary planning applications related to the refurbishment of Central Library.

(5) Delegate authority for the Director of Development and Regeneration (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate and Support Services) in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance and Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance) to take the necessary steps to implement the strategy set out in this report.

Officer contact: James Kington at james.kington@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Finance & Resource (Councillor Malcolm Allan) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) presenting the next steps for the redevelopment of Central Library following the opening of Stockroom in late 2023 and providing an update on the ongoing progress of the Stockroom Project.

(NOTE: The report contained a ‘not for publication’ appendix that was circulated to the Cabinet only).

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The proposals in the report largely related to planning and process for the redevelopment of the Central Library building.

·         It was noted that the Stockroom development would be proceeded with.

·         The retention of library services in the Central Library building was welcomed.

RESOLVED - (1) That the progress update on the Stockroom Project be noted.

(2) That the update on Central Library Redevelopment Strategy and recommend for approval the proposals be noted.

(3) That approval be given to the release of up to £400k in reserves to fund the development of the project through to planning and construction tender in line with the steps covered in section 11 of this report.

(4) That authority be delegated to the Director of Development and Regeneration (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate and Support Services) in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance to enter into any required professional services and construction contracts and bring forth any necessary planning applications related to the refurbishment of Central Library.

(5) That authority be delegated to the Director of Development and Regeneration (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate and Support Services) in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance and Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance) to take the necessary steps to implement the strategy set out in this report.

To consider a joint report of the Deputy Chief Executive and the Corporate Director of Corporate & Support Services and the Director of Development & Regeneration.

The report present the next steps for the redevelopment of Central Library following the opening of Stockroom in late 2023 and provides an update on the ongoing progress of the Stockroom Project.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to: -

a)    Note the progress update on the Stockroom Project.

b)    Note the update on Central Library Redevelopment Strategy and recommend for approval the proposals.

c)    Recommend for approval the release of up to £400k in reserves to fund the development of the project through to planning and construction tender in line with the steps covered in section 11 of this report.

d)    Recommend that authority be delegated for the Director of Development and Regeneration (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate and Support Services) in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance to enter into any required professional services and construction contracts and bring forth any necessary planning applications related to the refurbishment of Central Library.

e)    Recommend that authority be delegated for the Director of Development and Regeneration (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate and Support Services) in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance and Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance) to take the necessary steps to implement the strategy set out in this report.

Officer contact: James Kington, Strategic Head of Estates and Asset Management by email on james.kington@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive and the Corporate Director of Corporate & Support Services and the Director of Development & Regeneration submitted a joint report (copies of which had been circulated) presenting the next steps for the redevelopment of Central Library following the opening of Stockroom in late 2023 and provides an update on the ongoing progress of the Stockroom Project.

Members welcomed the report and generally supported the next steps being proposed but expressed concern relating to the disabled access and facilities including the access into and out of the building.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.