Issue - meetings
Wincanton Regeneration Scope Change
Meeting: 22/09/2022 - South Somerset District Council (Item 69)
69 Wincanton Regeneration Scope Change 
PDF 965 KB
Additional documents:
- 12 Wincanton Regeneration Confidential Appendix Sept22 , View reasons restricted (69/2)
Decision:
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That Council approved a significant change in project scope, for the Wincanton Regeneration Scheme within the existing agreed project budget of £2.392m, to accommodate the revised over-riding priority of bringing key vacant premises back into use (detail provided in Confidential Appendix). Whilst noting that: |
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· The events and activities, plus building repair grants work will also continue but applications closed for both at the end of August to enable completion in March 2023. |
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· Whilst public realm construction will not commence, the Highways Safety Audit 2 works will be completed to allow Somerset Council the option to progress public realm works in future. |
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· Agreement will be sought from Somerset County Council for any land acquisition or Compulsory Purchase Order under the s24 Direction that is over the value of £100k. |
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Reason: |
To agree to significantly alter the scope within the approved budget of the Wincanton Regeneration Project from that agreed by District Executive in February 2022. To provide a focused workstream on the re-use of key vacant properties until the end of March 2023 and provide better regeneration outcomes for Wincanton. |
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(Voting: 31 in favour, 0 against, 1 abstention)
Minutes:
The Portfolio Holder for the Wincanton Regeneration Scheme advised that the report sought in-principle agreement to support a change in project scope within the agreed budget and bring a key vacant building back into use. She said this would give better regeneration outcomes for the town and the planned events, activities and building repair grants would continue although they were closed to new applications. The highway safety works would continue and the new Somerset Council may progress the public realm works at some time in the future. This was a significant change of scope which reflected recent changes to the membership of the board who had worked constructively together. She also thanked the officers who had supported the Regeneration Board.
The recommendations were proposed and seconded.
One of the Ward Members, Councillor Colin Winder, noted that he had resigned from the Regeneration Board and advised that a planning application had been submitted for the key vacant building within the town. He asked that the recommendations of the report be held until that planning application had been determined.
The Director for Place and Recovery said they would be very happy to engage and work collaboratively with the owner of the building, however, it was necessary to take positive steps forward. The two County Councillors for the Wincanton area had agreed to advocate the proposal with the new Unitary Authority and their support was appreciated.
The Portfolio Holder confirmed that a very recent planning application had been submitted and was awaiting verification. There was a willingness to pursue collaborative work with the owner of the building but the report proposals should be agreed.
The recommendations, having been proposed and seconded, were confirmed by 31 in favour, 0 against and 1 abstention.
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That Council approved a significant change in project scope, for the Wincanton Regeneration Scheme within the existing agreed project budget of £2.392m, to accommodate the revised over-riding priority of bringing key vacant premises back into use (detail provided in Confidential Appendix). Whilst noting that: |
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|
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· The events and activities, plus building repair grants work will also continue but applications closed for both at the end of August to enable completion in March 2023. |
|
|
|
|
· Whilst public realm construction will not commence, the Highways Safety Audit 2 works will be completed to allow Somerset Council the option to progress public realm works in future. |
|
|
|
|
· Agreement will be sought from Somerset County Council for any land acquisition or Compulsory Purchase Order under the s24 Direction that is over the value of £100k. |
|
|
Reason: |
To agree to significantly alter the scope within the approved budget of the Wincanton Regeneration Project from that agreed by District Executive in February 2022. To provide a focused workstream on the re-use of key vacant properties until the end of March 2023 and provide better regeneration outcomes for Wincanton. |
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(Voting: 31 in favour, 0 against, 1 abstention)
