Issue - meetings

[That the Cabinet Member for City Economy respond to the question received.]

That the response to the written question be noted.

Westside Project

Councillor Wendy Thompson asked the Cabinet Member for City Economy the following question:

Given the latest setback to the Westside project because of legal issues, can the Cabinet Member for City Economy explain what these issues are and when this vital project will finally get underway?

In the absence of the Cabinet Member for City Economy, the Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield responded that the Council was currently working closely with the developer, Urban&Civic, to work through complex legal issues to bring  forward the Westside scheme. The Council had worked closely with Urban&Civic to ensure the project continued to be progressed without any loss to the project. He advised a deal was soon to be in place and when appropriate the Council would make a public announcement with the added advantage of major savings for the project too. He added once the cinema deal was signed this would then lead to further signings from the retail, restaurant and leisure sector. He added the appropriate due diligence work would be undertaken and it was envisaged a contract would be signed by the end of this year or at the latest early next year.

Councillor Thompson asked the following supplementary question:

Can the Leader clarify when the contract would be signed and confirm that work would be commenced in the early new year ? 

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield responded that the delay to the project had been financially worthwhile. He added if there were any further delays with the proposed timeline he would formally advise Councillors at a future Council meeting. He was confident that timeline provided would be met.

Resolved:

That the response to the written question be noted.