Minutes for Cabinet meeting, Aug 6 2009, 10.00AM official page

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Porter.

Members and Officers are requested to give notice of any personal or prejudicial interest and the nature of that interest, relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the relevant Code of Conduct.

The following declarations of interest were received:

Member

Minute

Reason

Action

Councillor Brodie-Browne

93 - Targetted Capital Funding - Kitchens/Dining Rooms

Personal - He is the Chair of Governors of Farnborough Road Infant and Junior School which is referred to in the report

Took part in the consideration of the item and voted thereon.

Councillor Fairclough

90 - Treasury Management 2009/10 - First Quarter update

Personal - His employer is referred to in the report

Took part in the consideration of the item and voted thereo

Councillor Fairclough

97 - Funding Opportunities

Personal - He is the Chair of the South Sefton Development Trust which is referred to in the report

Took part in the consideration of the item and voted thereon

Councillor Maher

93 - Targetted Capital Funding - Kitchens/Dining Rooms

Personal - His wife is employed by Sefton Catering Services which is referred to in the report

Took part in the consideration of the item and voted thereon

Councillor Shaw

93 - Targetted Capital Funding - Kitchens/Dining Rooms

Personal - His wife is employed at Farnborough Infant and Junior School, which is referred to in the report

Stayed in the room during the consideration of the item

Councillor Shaw

105 - Southport Cultural Centre Community Impact

Personal - his son is employed by Sefton Library Service

Stayed in the room during the consideration of the item

Councillor Shaw

107 - Southport Cultural Centre –

Personnel issues related to the temporary closure of Southport Arts Centre, Atkinson Art Gallery and Southport Library

Prejudicial - his son is employed by Sefton Library Service

Left the room during the consideration of the item

Minutes of the meeting held on 9 July 2009

RESOLVED:  

That the Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held on 9 July 2009 be confirmed as a correct record.

Report of the Housing Market Renewal Director

Further to Minute No. 29 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member - Regeneration held on 5 August 2009, the Cabinet considered the report of the Housing Market Renewal Director which provided details of the further award of £1.05 million of grant funding by the Homes and Communities Agency for Housing Market Renewal activity in south Sefton during 2009/10 and the implications thereof.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)       the report be noted;

(2)       the proposed expenditure programme of £1.05 million and associated outputs be approved as an addition to the previously approved Housing Market Renewal programme 2009/10; and

(3)       it be noted that the proposal was a Key Decision but, unfortunately, had not been included in the Council's Forward Plan of Key Decisions.  Consequently, the Deputy Mayor in the absence of the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Performance and Corporate Services) has been consulted under Rule 15 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules of the Constitution, to the decision being made by the Cabinet as a matter of urgency on the basis that it was impracticable to defer the decision until the commencement of the next Forward Plan because of the need to commence activity to ensure that 100% expenditure is achieved during 2009/10, thus preventing the loss of unspent resources, which would be at risk of 'claw-back' by the Homes and Communities Agency.

Joint report of the Housing Market Renewal Director and Planning and Economic Regeneration Director

In accordance with Rule 27 of the Council and Committee Procedure Rules, the Cabinet considered a petition submitted by residents of the Borough objecting to the proposals for the making of a Compulsory Purchase Order in the Bedford Road and Queens Road area of Bootle.  Mr. P. Michael addressed the Cabinet on behalf of the residents and spoke in support of the petition.

The Cabinet also considered copies of two letters from Mr. P. Michael objecting to the proposals.

Further to Minute No. 29 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member - Regeneration held on 5 August 2009 the Cabinet then considered the joint report of the Housing Market Renewal Director and Planning and Economic Regeneration Director seeking approval to the making of a Compulsory Purchase Order to acquire land and new rights for the purpose of securing the assembly of land in the Bedford Road and Queens Road area of Bootle required for the implementation of the development of new mixed tenure housing.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)       the petition submitted by local residents and the correspondence from Mr. P. Michael be noted;

(2)       a Compulsory Purchase Order (to be known as the Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council, Bedford Road/Queens Road Bootle, Phase 3, Compulsory Purchase Order 2009) (the CPO) be made under Section 226(1)(a) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended by Section 99 and Schedule 9 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004) and Section 13 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 for the acquisition of land and new rights within the areas shown edged red on the plan at Appendix 1 of the report (the 'Order Lands') for the purpose of securing the implementation of the development of new mixed tenure housing, on the grounds that there is a compelling case in the public interest for making the CPO;

(3)       the Housing Market Renewal Director and the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director, in consultation with the Legal Director, be authorised to:

            (i)         take all necessary steps to secure the making, confirmation and implementation of the CPO including (but not limited to) drafting the Statement of Reasons, the publication and service of all notices and the presentation of the Council's case at any Public Inquiry;

            (ii)        acquire interests in land and new rights within the area to be subject to the CPO either by agreements or compulsorily; and

            (iii)       approve agreements with land owners and others having an interest in the area to be subject to the CPO setting out the terms for the withdrawal of objections to the CPO, including, where appropriate, seeking exclusion of land or new rights from the CPO and making arrangements for rehousing or relocation of occupiers; and

(4)       it be noted that the proposal was a Key Decision but has not been included in the Council's Forward Plan of Key Decisions due to an administrative error.  Consequently, the Deputy Mayor, in the absence of the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Performance and Corporate Services) and Mayor has been consulted under Rule 15 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules of the Constitution, to the decision being made by Cabinet as a matter of urgency on the basis that it was impracticable to defer the decision until the commencement of the next Forward Plan because residents and owners of property affected by the decision had already been informed that the report would be considered at this time.

Joint report of the Housing Market Renewal Director and Planning and Economic Regeneration Director

In accordance with Rule 27 of the Council and Committee Procedure Rules, the Cabinet considered two petitions submitted by residents of the Borough objecting to the proposals for the making of a Compulsory Purchase Order in the Klondyke and Hawthorne Road area of Bootle.  Mr. G. Evans and Mr. J. Hart on behalf of the residents addressed the Cabinet and spoke in support of the petitions.

Further to Minute No. 28 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member - Regeneration held on 5 August 2009, the Cabinet then considered the joint report of the Housing Market Renewal Director and the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director seeking approval to the making of a Compulsory Purchase Order to acquire land and new rights for the purpose of securing the assembly of land in the Klondyke and Hawthorne Road area of Bootle required for the implementation of the development of new mixed tenure housing.

The Cabinet also considered copies of correspondence from the Maritime Community Development Association relating to information set out in the report.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)       the petition submitted by local residents and the correspondence from Maritime Community Development Association be noted;

(2)       a Compulsory Purchase Order (to be known as the Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council, Klondyke, Bootle, Phase 1B, Compulsory Purchase Order 2009) (the CPO) be made under Section 226(1)(a) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended by Section 99 and Schedule 9 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004) and Section 13 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 for the acquisition of land and new rights within the areas shown edged red on the plan at Appendix 1 of the report (the 'Order Lands') for the purpose of securing the implementation of the development of new mixed tenure housing, on the grounds that there is a compelling case in the public interest for making the CPO;

(3)       the Housing Market Renewal Director and the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director, in consultation with the Legal Director, be authorised to:

            (i)         take all necessary steps to secure the making, confirmation and implementation of the CPO including (but not limited to) drafting the Statement of Reasons, the publication and service of all notices and the presentation of the Council's case at any Public Inquiry;

            (ii)        acquire interests in land and new rights within the area to be subject to the CPO either by agreements or compulsorily; and

            (iii)       approve agreements with land owners and others having an interest in the area to be subject to the CPO setting out the terms for the withdrawal of objections to the CPO, including, where appropriate, seeking exclusion of land or new rights from the CPO and making arrangements for rehousing or relocation of occupiers; and

(4)       it be noted that the proposal was a Key Decision but has not been included in the Council's Forward Plan of Key Decisions due to an administrative error.  Consequently, the Deputy Mayor, in the absence of the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Performance and Corporate Services) and the Mayor has been consulted under Rule 15 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules of the Constitution, to the decision being made by Cabinet as a matter of urgency on the basis that it was impracticable to defer the decision until the commencement of the next Forward Plan because residents and owners of property affected by the decision had already been informed that the report would be considered at this time.

Report of the Housing Market Renewal Director

Further to Minute No. 33 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member - Regeneration held on 5 August 2009, the Cabinet considered the report of the Housing Market Renewal Director which provided details of the proposed extension of the 2008/09 Demolition and Clearance Programme for Klondyke Estate Phase 1a and sought approval to the negotiated cost with the lowest tenderer for the Phase 1b scheme.

The Cabinet also considered a letter from the Maritime Community Development Agency (MCDA) objecting to the proposals and a copy of an Advice Note from the Council’s Legal Advisers, Hill Dickinson LLP in response to legal issues referred to in the letter from MCDA.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)       the letter and Advice Note be noted;

(2)            approval be given to the extension of the original tender in the sum of £380,060; and

(3)       the Legal Director be requested to adjust the formal contract with the successful tenderer.

Report of the Housing Market Renewal Director

Further to Minute No. 32 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member - Regeneration held on 5 August 2009, the Cabinet considered the report of the Housing Market Renewal Director which sought approval to the disposal of the site of the former 1-28 Captains Green, Bootle at less than best consideration for a social housing development.

RESOLVED:  

That approval be given to the sale of the former maisonette site at 1-28 Captains Green, Bootle to Adactus Housing Group Limited at less than best consideration and the Legal Director, Finance and Information Services Director and Housing Market Renewal Director be given delegated authority to negotiate and agree any terms and conditions in relation to the disposal following advice from the Council's Value and Cost consultants.

Joint report of the Strategic Directors of Regeneration and Environmental Services, Health and Social Care and Children’s Services and the Leisure Director and Finance and Information Services Director

Further to Minute No. 25 of the meeting of the Cabinet Urgent Business Committee held on 22 July 2009, the Cabinet considered the joint report of the Strategic Directors of Regeneration and Environmental Services, Health and Social Care and Children's Services and the Leisure Director and Finance and Information Services Director setting out the specific proposals and funding implications for the Council to operate the Water Sports Centre at Crosby Coastal Park.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)            subject to Minute 108 below, the Leisure Director be authorised to take immediate responsibility for the Sefton Water Sports Centre and to make the necessary arrangements for its opening and operation;

(2)            subject to the further work on the revised business plan, the costs of the Council operating the Water Sports Centre in the current year of £25,000 be met from the Budget Pressures Reserve;

(3)            approval be given to the use of £700,000 of Capital grant from the Department for Children, Schools and Families;

(4)       the re-investment opportunity presented via the Strategic Director of Children's Services, for both capital and revenue funds to be directed into the facility, be further examined and a further detailed report be submitted to Cabinet by 1 October 2009, on the proposals for the continued operation of the Water Sports Centre;

(5)            subject to further work on the revised business plan and resolution 4, a preliminary net estimate of £170,000 be built into the Medium Term Financial Plan for 2010/11 for the net costs of the Council operating the Sefton Water sports Centre; and

(6)       it be noted that the Vice Chair in the absence of the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Performance and Corporate Services) has given his consent under Rule 16 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules and Rule 17 of the Scrutiny Procedure Rules for this key decision to be treated as urgent and not be subject to "call-in" on the basis that the decision cannot be reasonably deferred because the Council are incurring additional costs in securing this new facility, which has remained empty since completion in March 2009.

Joint report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Communications) and Legal Director

Further to Minute No. 15 of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 16 July 2009, the Cabinet considered the joint report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Communications) and Legal Director seeking approval for a set of media guidelines governing the ways in which the Council's media relations should operate and clarifying the roles and responsibilities of Elected Members.

RESOLVED:  

That the report be deferred for consideration at the next meeting.

Report of the Finance and Information Services Director

Further to Minute No. 67 of the meeting held on 9 July 2009, the Cabinet considered the report of the Finance and Information Services Director on proposals for the prompt payment of invoices from Small and Medium Enterprises and sub contractors.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)      the Council seeks to make any payment due to locally based small and medium enterprises within 10 days of receipt of a valid invoice;

(2)      the Finance and Information Services Director monitors the delivery of this objective and includes associated performance information in the Departments regular performance reports to Members; and

(3)      the early payment policy be subject to review in March 2010.

Report of the Finance and Information Services Director

The Cabinet considered the report of the Finance and Information Services Director which provided details of the Treasury Management activities undertaken in the First Quarter of 2009/10.

RESOLVED:  

That the report be noted.

Report of the Strategic Director of Children’s Services

Further to Minute No. 45 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member - Children's Services held on 4 August 2009, the Cabinet considered the report of the Strategic Director of Children's Services seeking approval to the implementation of schemes to be funded from Children's Personal Social Services Capital Allocation for 2009/10.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)       the schemes detailed in the report be approved; and

(2)       the schemes be included in the Children's Services Capital Programme 2009/10.

Report of the Strategic Director of Children’s Services

Further to Minute No. 42 of the Cabinet Member - Children's Services held on 4 August 2009, the Cabinet considered the report of the Strategic Director of Children's Services which provided an update on the progress of the Primary Capital Programme Scheme as Lander Road Primary School and sought approval to the demolition of the Pennington Road Community Building.

This was a Key Decision and was included in the Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)       the Scheme as detailed in the report be approved;

(2)       the Scheme be included in the Children's Services Capital Programme; 2009/10; and

(3)            approval be given to the demolition of the Pennington Road Community Building.

Report of the Strategic Director of Children’s Services

Further to Minute No. 43 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member - Children's Services held on 4 August 2009, the Cabinet considered the report of the Strategic Director of Children's Services which sought approval to the implementation of Schemes to be funded from the Targeted Capital Fund for Kitchens and Dining Rooms.

This was a Key Decision and was included in the Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)       the Schemes as detailed in the report be approved; and

(2)       the Schemes be included in the Children's Services Capital Programme 2009/10.

Report of the Strategic Director of Children’s Services

Further to Minute No. 44 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member - Children's Services held on 4 August 2009, the Cabinet considered the report of the Strategic Director of Children's Services which sought approval to the implementation of Schemes to be funded from the Youth Capital Fund Allocation for 2009/10.

This was a Key Decision and was included in the Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)       the Schemes as detailed in the report be approved; and

(2)       the Schemes be included in the Children's Services Capital Programme 2009/10.

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environmental Services

Further to Minute No. 24 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member - Environmental held on 29 July 2009, the Cabinet considered the report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environmental Services which provided details of the process to develop an adaptation strategy for the Sefton coastal zone and seeking approval to commence a capital project involving a new Sand Dunes Management Study to assist in the process of making sustainable management decisions for the coastal area.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)       the report be noted; and

(2)       the Sand Dunes Management Project be included in the Capital Programme at a cost of £205,000 to be funded by a capital grant from the Environment Agency of £185,000 and a contribution of £20,000 from within the 2010/11 Coast Protection Revenue Budget.

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environmental Services

Further to Minute No. 23 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member - Environmental held on 29 July 2009. the Cabinet considered the report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environmental Services which provided an update on the Crosby to Formby Point Strategy Study; the proposed works and outline programme for the delivery of the proposed works and sought approval to take the Hightown project up to detailed design and tender stage.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)       the report be noted; and

(2)       design and  tender preparation costs of the Hightown Project amounting to £70,000 be included in the Capital Programme and be fully funded from the Broseley's Section 106 developer contribution.

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environmental Services.

Further to Minute No. 26 of the meeting held on 11 June 2009, and Minute No. 26 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member - Regeneration held on 5 August 2009, the Cabinet considered the report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environmental Services which provided details of the progress made with regard to Expressions of Interest submitted for funding and an update of further external funding opportunities.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)      the report be noted; and

(2)      the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director submit a report to the Cabinet on the protocol for the use of Section 106 monies.

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environmental Services.

Further to Minute No. 34 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member - Technical Services held on 29 July 2009, the Cabinet considered the report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environmental Services seeking the inclusion of the Cycle Town Work Programme 2009/10 in the Council's Capital Programme to facilitate the delivery of projects in 2009/10.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)            Cabinet be requested to approve the Cycle Town Work Programme, as detailed in the report, as part of the Capital Programme 2009/10;

(2)       it be noted that the revenue implications within the report will be funded from the Cycling England/Department for Transport Grant; and

(3)       it be noted that the proposal was a Key Decision but, unfortunately, had not been included in the Council's Forward Plan of Key Decisions.  Consequently, the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Performance and Corporate Services) had been consulted under Rule 15 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules of the Constitution, to the decision being made by the Cabinet as a matter of urgency on the basis that it was impracticable to defer the decision until the commencement of the next Forward Plan because the delay caused by deferring the decision on this matter would not allow a sufficient period of time to achieve the £825,000 spend in 2009/10.

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environmental Services.

Further to Minute No. 147 of the meeting held on 30 October 2008, the Cabinet considered the report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environmental Services on the results of the consultation exercise held with all Area Committees and Parish Councils on proposals to revise the moratorium on the siting of mobile phone masts on Council-owned land.

This was a Key Decision and was included in the Council's Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)       the resolutions and feedback from each Area Committee be noted;

(2)       the Council be requested to consider the proposals set out in the report for the revision of the moratorium on the siting of phone masts on Council-owned land so that it can be lifted by the Cabinet on a case by case basis.

Report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director

Further to Minute No. 34 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member - Regeneration held on 5 August 2009, the Cabinet considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director on the appointment of consultants to undertake a detailed retail study for Southport Town Centre.

RESOLVED:  

That the report be noted.

Report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director

Further to Minute No. 30 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member - Regeneration held on 5 August 2009, the Cabinet considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director which detailed the key findings of the Retail Strategy Review Update 2009 and related Health Checks for Southport and Bootle which was one of a number of key evidence gathering studies that are being undertaken to inform the Core Strategy process and guide advice and decisions on individual retail proposals and planning applications.

This was a Key Decision and was included in the Council's Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

RESOLVED:  

That the report be approved.

Report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director

Further to Minute No. 18 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member - Regeneration held on 8 July 2009, the Cabinet considered the joint report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director and Housing Market Renewal Director which set out the reasons for not producing the Stanley Road Supplementary Planning Document and sought clarification on how future decisions on planning applications on Stanley Road will be made.

RESOLVED:  

That approval be given to the decision not to produce a Stanley Road Supplementary Planning Document and for the Local Development Scheme to be amended accordingly when it is next updated.

Report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director

The Cabinet considered the report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director on the award of funding from the Department for Transport for maintenance works on the detrunked A570 from Kew Roundabout to the junction of the M58.

RESOLVED:  

That approval be given to the inclusion of the Capital funding from the Department for Transport grant into the 2009/10 Transportation Capital Programme; and the inclusion of the Revenue funding from the Department for Transport grant into the 2009/10 Highway Management Revenue Programme.

Report of the Leisure Director

Further to Minute No. 29 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member - Leisure and Tourism held on 15 July 2009, the Cabinet considered the report of the Leisure Director on the contribution from a private company towards the erection of a plane sculpture on the Shore Road Traffic Roundabout at Ainsdale.

RESOLVED:  

That approval be given to the inclusion of the scheme, as detailed in the report, in the Leisure and Tourism Capital Programme.

Report of the Leisure Director

Further to Minute No. 32 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member - Leisure and Tourism held on 15 July 2009, the Cabinet considered the report of the Leisure Director on the impact upon the community of the temporary closure of the Southport Library, Arts Centre and Atkinson Art Gallery during the period of the proposed development of the new Cultural Centre.

This was a Key Decision and was included in the Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)      Minute 32 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member - Leisure and Tourism held on 15 July 2009 be noted; and

(2)      the issues raised in the report be given further consideration under Minute No. 107 below.

To consider passing the following resolution:

That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item(s) of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.  The Public Interest Test has been applied and favours exclusion of the information from the Press and Public.

RESOLVED:  

That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.  The Public Interest Test has been applied and favours exclusion of the information fro the press and public.

Report of the Leisure Director

Further to Minute No. 105 above, the Cabinet considered the report of the Leisure Director on the potential impact of the temporary closure of Southport Arts Centre, Atkinson Art Gallery and Southport Library on the current staff structure. The Cabinet also gave further consideration to the issues in the report referred to in Minute No 105 above.

This was a Key Decision and was included in the Council's Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)      the Cabinet fully supports the Southport Cultural Centre scheme subject to the availability of further funding;

(2)      the Personnel Director be authorised to commence negotiations with staff and the appropriate Trade Unions on the personnel implications of the scheme;

(3)      a detailed report on the current position relating to the scheme, the financial implications and the proposed project management plan be submitted to the next Cabinet Meeting;

(4)      the Leisure Director give a presentation to the next meeting on the design proposals for the scheme;

(5)      the Assistant Chief Executive (Communications) develop a media strategy for the scheme;

(6)      a lead Member be appointed to be responsible for the project management of the scheme.

Joint report of the Strategic Directors of Regeneration and Environmental Services, Health and Social Care and Children’s Services and the Leisure Director and Legal Director

Further to Minute No. 87 above, the Cabinet considered the joint report of the Strategic Directors of Regeneration and Environmental Services, Health and Social Care and Children's Services and the Leisure Director and Legal Director which detailed the reasons for the suspension of negotiations with the Greenbank Academy with regard to the operation of the Water Sports Centre at Crosby Coastal Park.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)       the Legal Director advise the Greenbank Academy that the Council does not wish to pursue any further negotiations on the exchange of a lease;

(2)       it be noted that the Vice Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Performance and Corporate Services) in the absence of the Chair has given his consent under Rule 16 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules and Rule 17 of the Scrutiny Procedure Rules for the key decision to be treated as urgent and not be subject to "call-in" on the basis that the decision cannot be reasonably deferred because the Council are incurring additional costs in securing this new facility, which has remained empty since completion in March 2009.

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environmental Services.

Further to Minute No. 39 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member - Regeneration held on 5 August 2009, the Cabinet considered the report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environmental Services on the current position on the development of the Southport Commerce Park by the preferred developer and revised proposals for the delivery of the speculative office development.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)      the existing agreement with Blythe's Homes Limited be terminated;

(2)      a further detailed report on the proposals for the appointment of an alternative developer be submitted to the Cabinet or the Cabinet Urgent Business Committee if necessary.