Decision details

Matter for Decision

The Council has embarked on a major public realm capital project to improve Cambridge’s market square, as the city’s principal outdoor civic space and venue for the Council’s popular seven day a week General and Sunday market.

 

The market square, its associated outdoor public realm and market infrastructure, was not up to the quality standard befitting the city’s international status and profile.

 

The Council’s initial project work has involved an assessment of the issues, needs and opportunities associated with the market square space. Using the site assessment findings, the Council, with the support of specialist design and market consultants, has engaged key organisational stakeholders, including market traders, to develop a proposed vision and supporting concept design plan for the square.

 

The Council was now seeking to go out to a six-week public consultation on the proposed vision and concept design, as detailed in Appendix A and B of the Officer’s report after the local elections in May 2021.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Climate Change, Environment and City Centre

      i.          Approved the proposed consultation draft market square project vision and concept design, as detailed in Appendix A and B respectively, for a six-week public consultation starting in May, as outlined in Section 5 of the Officer’s report.

     ii.          Noted the findings of the market square project operational management and outline business case assessment report in Appendix C of the Officer’s report.

   iii.          Agreed not to proceed to the design work on RIBA Stages 3 and 4 until the public consultation was complete and the results had been brought to and approved by this committee.

 

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 Head of Environmental Services.

 

The Executive Councillor and Head of Environmental Services said the market square project should deliver the following benefits:

      i.          Improved market square space.

     ii.          Improved facilities, public realm and waste management.

   iii.          Electrics would be improved which would allow food stalls to be grouped together (which was not possible now).

   iv.          It would be more accessible and easier to clean.

    v.          Should attract more people and so support traders.

   vi.          Looking to restore and improve heritage facilities.

 vii.          Make better use of space.

 

Councillors requested a change to the recommendations. Councillor Matthews proposed to add the following recommendation to those in the Officer’s report:

·        (New ) 2.3 Not to proceed to RIBA Stages 3 and 4 until the public consultation is complete and the results have been brought to and approved by this committee.

 

Councillor Moore proposed revised wording (as agreed with Councilor Matthews):

·        (New ) 2.3 Not to proceed to the design work on RIBA Stages 3 and 4 until the public consultation is complete and the results have been brought to and approved by this committee.

 

The Committee unanimously approved this additional recommendation.

 

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations as amended.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

 

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

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.