Agenda item

To consider the report of the Chief Executive.

(Councillor Dennison left the meeting at this point, having previously declared an interest.)

Members considered a report from the Chief Executive about the Storey Institute. As well as providing an update on the current position regarding the operation of the Storey, the report sought direction from the Council on the future use of the building.

The Chief Executive, Head of Resources and Head of Governance responded to a number of questions from Councillors.

Councillor Blamire proposed:

(1)               That the current position be noted.

(2)        That subject to the outcome of the liquidation process for SCIC Ltd and assuming that the headlease be forfeit, or otherwise terminated, Council's preferred direction for the Storey Institute is to seek to continue operating as a Creative Industries Centre, without excluding other options, in order to make the building sustainable.

(3)        That Officers be authorised to investigate the removal of the restrictive covenant and to develop proposals in support of (2) above.

(4)               That it be noted that future decisions regarding the Storey Institute will be taken by Cabinet, subject to them being in accordance with the direction set under (2) above and the existing budget framework.

Councillor Hanson seconded the proposition.

Councillor Ashworth proposed an addendum to (4), which was accepted as a friendly amendment by Councillors Blamire and Hanson:

“but that any decision regarding the status of the building be brought to full Council, for example, if it were offered for sale.” 

Councillor Hamilton-Cox proposed an addendum to (2), which was accepted as a friendly amendment by Councillors Blamire and Hanson:

(2)        That subject to the outcome of the liquidation process for SCIC Ltd and assuming that the headlease be forfeit, or otherwise terminated, Council's preferred direction for the Storey Institute is to seek to continue operating as a Creative Industries Centre, without excluding other options, in order to make the building sustainable and that the Council works productively with the tenants and other stakeholders, to achieve these ends.

Councillor Mumford proposed an amendment to (3), to replace the word “removal” with “details” which was accepted as a friendly amendment by the mover and seconder of the proposition:

(3)        That Officers be authorised to investigate the details of the restrictive covenant and to develop proposals in support of (2) above.

There was a short debate before a vote was taken on the proposition, which was clearly carried.

Resolved:

(1)               That the current position be noted.

(2)        That subject to the outcome of the liquidation process for SCIC Ltd and assuming that the headlease be forfeit, or otherwise terminated, Council's preferred direction for the Storey Institute is to seek to continue operating as a Creative Industries Centre, without excluding other options, in order to make the building sustainable and that the Council works productively with the tenants and other stakeholders, to achieve these ends.

(3)        That officers be authorised to investigate the details of the restrictive covenant and to develop proposals in support of (2) above.

(4)        That it be noted that future decisions regarding the Storey Institute will be taken by Cabinet, subject to them being in accordance with the direction set under (2) above and the existing budget framework but that any decision regarding the status of the building be brought to full Council, for example, if it were offered for sale. 

(The meeting adjourned at 4.35pm for ten minutes, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11, reconvening at 4.45pm.)