Committee Report: Mesnes Park Restoration Project: Development Grant
Report to: |
Cabinet |
|---|---|
Date: |
16 November 2006 |
Subject: |
Mesnes Park Restoration Project: Development Grant |
Report of: |
Chief Executive, Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust & Assistant Chief Executive, Wigan Council |
Contact officer: |
Stuart Murray – 01942 488555 |
Purpose / summary: |
To inform Cabinet of the outcome of the Stage One submission to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), and to seek approval to prepare a detailed application for Stage Two. |
Alternative options considered and reason for selecting the one recommended: |
The offer of development grant could be declined, in which case a unique opportunity for significant investment in the park would be lost. The selected option is the only way forward if the park is to be significantly improved |
Recommendation / decision: |
1. That Cabinet now agrees to support a Stage Two submission to the HLF Parks for People initiative. As previously agreed, the restoration work will be in two Phases, with Phase One likely to be 2008-10. An application for Phase Two to be submitted at a future date (2010-2013). 2. That authority is delegated to the Chief Executive of the Wigan Leisure and Trust to prepare a detailed, in accordance with the CPR1 for the development stage. 3. That approval is given to appoint consultants, following normal standing orders and tender processes, unless due to the specialist nature of the work required, fewer than the required numbers of tenders can be invited. In extreme circumstances there may be only one suitable tender. That in such circumstances an exception from Contract Procedure Rules is authorised to allow the invitation of a lower number of tenders/quotations than the minimum number required by the Rules. |
Key Decision: |
This report does not involve a key decision The decision made as a result of this report will be published within 48 hours and cannot be actioned until five working days have elapsed after that (making a total of seven working days after the meeting) i.e. before 28th November 2006. |
Implications: |
|
Financial: |
A contribution from the capital programme of £500,000 is required for Phase 2 between 2010 to 2013 |
Staffing: |
None |
Policy: |
None |
Equal Opportunities - Has a Diversity Impact Assessment been conducted? |
Yes-this has taken the form of an access development plan |
Wards affected: |
Wigan Central |
Special Interest Members – Which have been consulted |
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Tracking/Process:
|
Consultation |
Ward Members |
Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Cultural Partnership/Council/Trust Policy Group |
|
|
Panel |
Overview & Scrutiny |
Cabinet |
Council |
|
|
16 th November 2006 |
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There are no Background Papers to this Report within the meaning of Section 100D of the Local Government Act 1972.
Proper Officer |
Rodney F Hill Adrian Hardy |
|---|---|
Date |
November 2006 |
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Cabinet approved the submission of an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund in March 2006.
1.2 It was noted at the time that the scope of the whole park restoration project covers major capital investment in the parks’ infrastructure, and a step change in the way in which the park will be managed in the future.
1.3 The scope of the bid that was submitted covered the restoration of the whole park in two phases as approved by Cabinet on 24 August 2006.
2.0 Feedback From The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF)
2.1 The HLF has awarded a “Stage One pass” for the whole park scheme.
2.2 The gross value of works eligible for grant aid (and forming Phase One) is £2,925,600, with the HLF grant offer being £1,865,000 (Approx 63%). A financing schedule is shown at Appendix 4.
2.3 In addition, the HLF will grant aid the development work that is now needed to prepare the scheme for the Stage Two submission. The gross cost of this element of work is an additional £176,000, of which the grant offer is an additional £124,000 (70%).
2.4 The total amount of grant is therefore just less than the maximum of £2m that could be expected for this type of scheme.
2.5 The development grant will take the form of a contract between the HLF andthe Council. While it is fully funded there is a small element of risk to the Council if the contract conditions were not adhered to
3.0 The Way Forward
3.1 The next step is for the detail work to be undertaken so that the capital works are ready for tender and that all the other works and actions are ready for implementation. This is known as the development stage, and will include the whole park proposals (ie.both Phases One and Two).
32. Most of this work will be undertaken by specialist consultants, under the guidance of project management arrangement that will include officers of the Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, the Council, elected members, Friends of Mesnes Park and other stakeholders.
3.3 The deadline for the Stage two submission is no later than 20 September 2007. Once a Stage Two pass is received, and a contract is in place then work can start on the ground – likely to be early/mid 2008.
3.4 The project has been previously appraised and will now be put on to the Council’s capital programme - a CPR 1 is attached for the development stage.
4.0 Scope Of The Stage Two Submission
4.1 The scope of the Stage Two submission is therefore based on the whole park restoration including additional items now required by the HLF.
4.2 Phase One is essentially the previous submission with relatively minor amendments. The Dalton steps and the footpaths are now included. It is anticipated that this would be implemented in three years (2008/09 to 2010/11). The schedule of work is shown at Appendix 1.
5.0 Recommendations
5.1 That Cabinet now agrees to support a Stage Two submission to the HLF
Parks for People initiative.
As previously agreed, the restoration work will be in two Phases, with Phase One likely to be 2008-10. A second application for Phase Two to be submitted at a future date.
5.2 That authority is delegated to the Chief Executive of the Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust to prepare a detailed submission, in accordance with the attached CPR1 for the development.
5.3 That approval is given to appoint consultants, following normal standing orders and tender processes, unless due to the specialist nature of the work required fewer than the usual numbers of tenders can be invited. In extreme circumstances there may be only one suitable tender.
That in such circumstances an exception from Contract Procedure Rules is authorised to allow the invitation of a lower number of tenders/quotations than the minimum number required by the Rules.
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