Agenda item

The Chairman introduced the item and briefed committee on the outcome of the Colindale Office planning application that went to committee (date). At planning the attempt to defer the item up to full council was considered unconstitutional and was ultimately deferred to the next planning meeting on (date?).  The Chairman informed the committee of a revision to recommendation 4 to include ‘subject to planning approval’ in the last sentence.

Councillor Coakley-Webb queried how sensible it was to build a new council building with no parking and on the assumption that 5 disabled parking bays for the authority is enough. She requested that the proposal goes back to the developer for a re-design to include some adequate parking provision.

Councillor Cohen asked for the scheme to go back to March Planning Committee with an amended planning application.

Councillor Cooke made the point that the terms of reference of ARG Committee should include having some say on the design of key developments such as the Colindale Office which may have an interface with planning.

Following the discussion on the item, the Chairman moved to a vote on the following recommendations:

1.    That the Committee note the progress on the Colindale Office project;

2.    That the Committee note that a Full Business Case (FBC) is being prepared for consideration in June 2016, which will include an EIA.

3.    That the Committee approve the use of up to £2 million of the existing budget allocation for conclusion of the pre-construction activities and technical design and help maintain the current delivery programme ahead of the submission of the Full Business Case. The £2 million allocation constitutes 7.5% of the estimated overall Capital Build Budget.

4.    That the Committee agrees to delegate the authority to the Chief Operating Officer to settle terms and enter into the required pre-construction stage agreements

Votes on the report was recorded as follows:

The Chairman used his casting vote in favour.

Immediately following the vote Councillor Cooke, moved to refer the item to the next practicable meeting of Full Council. The referral was supported by:

·         Councillor Coakley-Webb

·         Councillor Narenthira 

·         Councillor Philip Cohen

Context for referral following officer presentation and debate:

·         Not convinced that legally the item can be decided upon following

confirmation that the decision cannot be taken to Full Council and no

decision at Planning Committee;

·         Not convinced that the decision to refer to the next Planning Committee

31st March 2016 is relevant when the premise of the scheme without

parking is flawed;

·         Not convinced that the Assets, Regeneration and Growth Committee

Has no remit to comment on parking considerations relevant to the

scheme – should be in Assets, Regeneration and Growth Committee

remit ;

·         Not convinced that amending the recommendation of the Assets,

Regeneration and Growth Committee report to include “subject to

planning approval” is appropriate for the scheme;

Not convinced that there are sufficient disabled parking spaces allocated within the proposal whether on site or at RAF museum.

The reasons given for the request to refer the item were:

·         Inadequate parking provision proposed

·         The council is the landowner and planning applicant therefore Assets,

Regeneration and Growth Committee Members should have the right to determine the types of planning applications submitted on behalf of

the Council.

RESOLVED - That having received the requisite number of support for referral, the item will be placed on the agenda for consideration by Full Council.