Decision details

Matter for Decision

The report outlined that a decision was needed to allow the Cambridge Junction capital project to move to the next stage.

 

A Joint Project Board had been formed between the Council and Cambridge Junction to facilitate agreement of project drivers and outcomes. The report considered a high level feasibility and detailed options assessment carried out by external consultants. As the Council owned the freehold of the site, officers also considered the wider property issues and opportunities provided by any redevelopment scheme. An arts and cultural infrastructure audit had been commissioned in order to provide an evidence base of existing and future needs for professional cultural infrastructure, and to provide underpinning evidence for an options assessment.

 

The options assessment looked specifically at Cambridge Junction assessed a range of options from ‘do nothing’ through to ‘complete redevelopment of the site’.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Strategy and Transformation:

     i.        Noted the findings from the Arts and Cultural Infrastructure Audit.

    ii.        Noted the findings of the options assessment work.

   iii.        Approved progression to a detailed study on Option 3 – a partial redevelopment - as the preferred recommendation for redevelopment of Cambridge Junction.

  iv.        The detailed study on option 3 would be considered within a framework of an outline site wide masterplan to ensure that:

a)   The full impacts of the phase 1 study on the wider freehold site were taken into account.

b)   Alternative options were considered at this stage should option 3 be undeliverable.

c)   The Council was able to ensure best value optimisation of its assets on the site.

d)   The work would support a potential first stage capital bid to Arts Council England including completion of more detailed work up to RIBA stage 1.

 

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Culture and Community Manager.

 

The Committee made the following comments in response to the report:

     i.        Asked what financial consideration had been given to the Junction in terms of bridging the gap caused by redevelopment.

    ii.        Welcomed the opportunity of redevelopment. Referred to section 3.6 of the report and asked if the audit had been subject to analysis.

 

The Culture and Community Manager and Head of Property Services said the following in response to Members’ questions:

     i.        Confirmed that the Junction had stable finances, they had been working closely with the Arts Council who were their biggest funder so they were confident that the redevelopment would make a positive and sustainable impact on their finances.

    ii.        Stated that the proposal wasn’t just to increase performance capacity, there was high demand for rehearsal/education space and start up facilities.

 

The Executive Councillor for Strategy and Transformation confirmed that discussions had been ongoing for 18 months; this was a positive opportunity which could lead to further development in Junction 1 in the future.

 

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor