Agenda item

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Thomas)

Report of the Corporate Director (Regeneration). 

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Thomas)

The Corporate Director (Regeneration) submitted a report that sought Members approval for officers to work up a scheme with University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust for the development of an interceptor car park on NHS land and report back to Members on the outcome of this work.

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

Option 1 – Officers work with the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust to work up a scheme on NHS land which would serve the needs of both the hospital and act as an interceptor car park to meet the need highlighted through the Faber Maunsell report. The outcome of this work will be reported back to Members and into the decision making process of the NHS Trust.  Further consultation will be required on this proposal with the parties mentioned earlier in the report.  An interceptor car park close to the Pointer roundabout would in turn negate the need to provide a similar facility on City Council land and remove a larger number of vehicles from the gyratory system.  This scheme would be an opportunity to work in partnership with the Health Authority and potentially reduce costs for both parties.  If an interceptor car park on NHS land is a possibility and after a review of long stay car parking in the City is complete, then the result may be that the Auction Mart car park could be declared surplus and a redevelopment proposal is sought which would fit with the local development plan whilst producing best value.

Option 2 – Officers do not work with the Health Authority and each party works in isolation.  This would be a missed opportunity to develop an alternative interceptor car park at the southern end of the City.  Building a multi storey car park requires a large capital input.  An estimated build cost of £15,000 per car parking space has previously been obtained which would require capital input of around £11,250,000 on a 750 space car park or £6,000,000 on a 400 space car park.  As outlined in previous reports the City Council would have to use prudential borrowing to finance an interceptor car park, which would have revenue impact on the City Council budgets, but there are real concerns regarding the affordability, sustainability and prudence of the Council considering such an option, given current and expected financial pressures.   

The Officer preferred option was Option 1 for the reasons outlined above.  Working with the NHS Trust to explore ideas may bring benefits to both parties and develop a scheme which will benefit the City.  In addition it may produce new options for the Auction Mart site.

Councillor Thomas moved, seconded by Councillor Blamire:-

“That the recommendations in the report be approved.”

Members then voted: -

Resolved unanimously:

(1)                     That the information outlined in the report be noted. 

(2)                     That officers be instructed to work with the NHS to develop a scheme for an interceptor car park on their own land on the basis that if a suitable scheme can be prepared, then the council’s Auction Mart car park could be sold for future development. 

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Corporate Director (Regeneration). 

Head of Property Services. 

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision to work with the NHS Trust to develop a scheme may bring benefits to both parties as well as benefits to the City.  In addition, it may produce new options for the Auction Mart site.  This is consistent with the Council’s corporate priority to progress partnership working to support delivering the Sustainable Community Strategy.