Agenda item

[To receive a presentation from the Executive Director of Economy, and the CLQ Programme Director]. 

The Leader of the Council commented that he was pleased Scrutiny Board had asked for an item on the City Learning Quarter.  It would unlock potential for the residents of Wolverhampton.  Construction work had commenced. 

The Executive Director of Economy gave a presentation on the City Learning Quarter, a copy of which is attached to the signed minutes.

A Board Member asked for the systems that were in place to run the project and to mitigate against overspends and to ensure it delivered on time. The Executive Director of Economy responded that Governance was important.  There would be regular updates to the Council’s Audit and Risk Committee.  The most recent had been in November, this helped to provide assurance.  Cabinet also received reports as part of the overall governance structure, which included a number of other boards and Committees.    

The Vice-Chair commented it was important to keep the governance arrangements of the project under review and ensure lessons were learnt from other major projects. He was thankful to the Government for the funding the project had received.  He asked for more specifics on the Central Library phase of the works.  He was concerned that issues could be encountered when works commenced on the old library.   He was hopeful that the project would succeed. 

The Head of Project and Works responded that one of the key parts for the library works was to fully understand the building.  A drone survey had been completed on the roof and they had also reviewed documents relating to historical maintenance.  A specialist historical architect was working on the project.  A clearly defined scope of the external and internal parts of the building had been completed.

The Leader referred to the City Investment Board which also scrutinised the project.  He raised the concerns of inflation, which had cost the project considerably.  He did however believe the project to be groundbreaking and would give key opportunities for the City.

A Member of the Board asked for clarification on who the Programme Director was for the City Learning Quarter and whether the project had detailed planning permission. She raised the importance of the Grade 2 listed library and the need for sensitive development in its vicinity.  She asked how often the financial monitoring reports would be considered and by which Committees and Boards.

The Executive Director for City Economy responded that the Programme Director was Mark Bassett, who had submitted his apologies for the meeting. Specialist historic advisors were ensuring that the historical value of the Central Library was respected.  Full planning permission had been granted and construction had commenced on site.  There was a fortnightly financial report which went to the Financial Co-ordination Group and was escalated as appropriate throughout the Governance structure.  The Head of Project and Works confirmed that the design was now fixed and was as per the photos in the report. 

Two Members of the Board asked if Board Members could receive monthly financial reports on the project due to issues on major projects in the past.  Another Member added that six monthly reports to the Board would be sufficient unless there was something that needed to be reported by exception.   

The Leader of the Council commented that he was happy to provide quarterly reports on the City Learning Quarter to Scrutiny Board should it be the desire of the Board.  He listed a number of Council projects that had received recent awards. 

The Chair expressed his view that good governance structures were in place for the oversight of the project.  He believed that the governance would be strong. 

Resolved: That the report on the City Learning Quarter be endorsed.