Issue - meetings

[To receive an update on the City Learning Quarter]

1.      That authority be delegated to the Leader of the Council and Deputy Leader: Inclusive City Economy in consultation with the Directors for Regeneration and Finance to:

a.      Approve the Council entering into a Grant Agreement in order to secure a grant of £7.75 million from the West Midlands Combined Authority’s Investment Programme for implementation of the City of Wolverhampton Technical Centre, Phase 1 of the City Learning Quarter (CLQ).

b.      Approve the Council entering into the required Development Agreement and Fixtures, Fittings and Equipment / Information Communication Technology Agreement with the City of Wolverhampton College to enable the tender, procurement and delivery of building works to complete Phase 1 City Learning Quarter.

c.      Approve the Council entering into (subject to confirmation of funding award and the associated full terms and conditions) any future Levelling Up Fund Grant Agreement for the City Learning Quarter Phase 2.

d.      Approve the Council entering into various legal agreements with the City of Wolverhampton College to facilitate the procurement of the required contracts (to include Construction, Fixtures, Fittings and Equipment, Information Communication Technology, and multiple moves) for the delivery of City Learning Quarter, Phase 2.

e.      Award contracts for the delivery of the City of Wolverhampton Technical Centre (CoWTechC), Phase 1 of the City Learning Quarter to the preferred contractor identified following a competitive tender and procurement exercise.

2.      That the increase to the capital budget for the Phase 1 project to a total budget of £8.1 million, funded in full by grant, as per the details in the financial implications be approved.

3.      That the Council be authorised to extend Consultant contracts to provide ongoing Project Management, Commercial Advice and Cost Management services through to completion of the City Learning Quarter Phase 1 and Phase 2.

4.      That it be noted that the Council has submitted to a grant application seeking £20 million from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund to support City Learning Quarter, Phase 2 and that the outcome is awaited.

5.      That it be noted that proposed changes to the funding strategy for City Learning Quarter, Phase 2 would be the subject of a future Cabinet report.

Having previously declared interest, Mark Taylor, Deputy Chief Executive left room whilst the item was considered.

Councillor Stephen Simkins asked Cabinet to approve the recommendations contained in the update report on the City Learning Quarter (CLQ) programme that was being led by the Council in partnership with City of Wolverhampton College supported by external consultants. It was proposed to enter into a grant agreement with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and to increase the project budget following the successful award of a £7.75 million grant that would enable The City of Wolverhampton College Technical Centre (CoWTechC), CLQ, Phase 1 to proceed to delivery stage.  Delegated approval was also sought to enter into the appropriate agreements once the final terms are determined.

Cabinet thanked the Mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority and the six Leaders for their support in approving the grant funding application for the programme.

Resolved:

1.    That authority be delegated to the Leader of the Council and Deputy Leader: Inclusive City Economy in consultation with the Directors for Regeneration and Finance to:

a.    Approve the Council entering into a Grant Agreement in order to secure a grant of £7.75 million from the West Midlands Combined Authority’s Investment Programme for implementation of the City of Wolverhampton Technical Centre, Phase 1 of the City Learning Quarter (CLQ).

b.    Approve the Council entering into the required Development Agreement and Fixtures, Fittings and Equipment / Information Communication Technology Agreement with the City of Wolverhampton College to enable the tender, procurement and delivery of building works to complete Phase 1 City Learning Quarter.

c.     Approve the Council entering into (subject to confirmation of funding award and the associated full terms and conditions) any future Levelling Up Fund Grant Agreement for the City Learning Quarter Phase 2.

d.    Approve the Council entering into various legal agreements with the City of Wolverhampton College to facilitate the procurement of the required contracts (to include Construction, Fixtures, Fittings and Equipment, Information Communication Technology, and multiple moves) for the delivery of City Learning Quarter, Phase 2.

e.    Award contracts for the delivery of the City of Wolverhampton Technical Centre (CoWTechC), Phase 1 of the City Learning Quarter to the preferred contractor identified following a competitive tender and procurement exercise.

2.    That the increase to the capital budget for the Phase 1 project to a total budget of £8.1 million, funded in full by grant, as per the details in the financial implications be approved.

3.    That the Council be authorised to extend Consultant contracts to provide ongoing Project Management, Commercial Advice and Cost Management services through to completion of the City Learning Quarter Phase 1 and Phase 2.

4.    That it be noted that the Council has submitted to a grant application seeking £20 million from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund to support City Learning Quarter, Phase 2 and that the outcome is awaited.

5.    That it be noted that proposed changes to the funding strategy for City Learning Quarter, Phase 2 would be the subject  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7