Decision details

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Regeneration & Planning to report on further project implementation to improve key streets and spaces within the city centre and request that the decision on the centrepiece for Market Square be deferred to the June meeting.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

The proposal made in the report followed extensive community engagement. It was based on design concepts approved by Cabinet, which the Council had made budgetary provision for in the General Fund Capital Programme. The ERDF investment award was towards specific deliverables and to a whole programme of improvements. It could not be drawn down if the scope of works was reduced significantly.   With this as the context, two options were presented. The difference between the two options concerned the centrepiece to Market Square. Option one included a single elevated structure as the centrepiece. Option 2 for a twin or divided structure. The plans and drawings in appendices 1 and 2 on the supplementary report refer.  The two options had very similar seating capacities and both could be used for impromptu and informal performances.

Both options delivered improvements consistent with corporate policy and made full and best use of available finance including European funding. Both enabled the city and county councils to bring together their investments and benefit from strong partnership working to deliver long sought after improvements.  Officers considered that both options presented for the centrepiece would prove fitting and beneficial and accordingly a preferred option was not suggested.

The report set out how the council might move forward and deliver much needed improvements to public realm within the city centre, the main economic driver within the city. It was about opportunity to deliver in ways and to time frames that minimised financing implications for the city council, took maximum advantage of external funding available and thereby offered best value expenditure for both the city and county councils. It presented options for what officers considered to be a new fitting and beneficial centrepiece to Market Square.

Councillor Hanson proposed, seconded by Councillor Sands:-

“That the recommendations, as set out in the report, be approved.”

By way of amendment, Councillor Barry proposed and Councillor Hamilton-Cox seconded:

“That officers provide detailed breakdown of the costs of the two plinth options and consider the advantages and disadvantages of cheaper options.”

With the agreement of the meeting after some discussion and having been advised that the options he requested were capable of being provided through the original proposal, Councillor Barry withdrew the amendment.

It was proposed by Councillor Hamilton-Cox, seconded by Councillor Blamire and accepted as a friendly amendment by the proposer and seconder of the original proposal:

“That the decision regarding the gating of Chancery Lane be deferred.“

Councillors then voted on the substantive motion:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That the proposal for public realm works made in section 2.0 of the report and as described in the supporting appendices be approved, with the decision on the detailed options for the centrepiece to Market Square deferred to the Cabinet meeting in June 2013, along with the decision regarding the gating of Chancery Lane.

(2)       That the Head of Regeneration and Planning be authorised to proceed with all  work to implement the proposal but as regards the centrepiece not to make any commitments pending Cabinet deciding on the detailed option.

(3)      That the Head of Governance be requested to invite all council members to attend an informal briefing on the options for a centrepiece and the theme embodied artwork should take so that members can be fully informed and then advise the Portfolio Holder of their views.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Regeneration & Planning

Head of Resources

Head of Governance

Reasons for making the decision:

Lancaster Square Routes is to help support and sustain the commercial centre of the city as per the corporate priorities for economic growth and the environment. It fulfils the corporate priorities as contained in the 2012-15 Corporate Plan - Economic Growth, Health and Wellbeing, Clean Green and Safe Places and Community Leadership. It contributes, in particular, to Economic Growth by helping sustain the attraction of commercial centres and so support trading and jobs.  The proposal is consistent with the Lancaster District Core Strategy and in particular Policy ER2.  The initiative is highly complementary to the activity of the Lancaster BID Partnership that is demonstrating a unity of purpose and collective commitment to town centre improvement.  Deferring the decision on the detailed options on the centrepiece would allow all councillors to be consulted on the two options whilst deferring the decision on the gating of Chancery Lane would enable further information to be sought from the Police.