Agenda item

Council noted that there was an associated exempt report.

Council noted the Historic England feedback and the Hendon Hub project team response which had been circulated as a supplement.

The Monitoring Officer reminded members that they should not vote on any item if they were predetermined, but they could vote if they had a predisposition but remained open minded.

Councillor Thomas, Chairman of Policy and Resources Committee and Leader of the Council, moved the reception and adoption of the recommendations in the report. Debate ensued.

On the recommendations in the report being put to the vote, the votes were recorded as follows:

Following the vote being taken, a division was called in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 14.

The recorded votes were as follows:

RESOLVED that Council:

1.    Having, considered the consultation responses (Appendix 4) and the Equalities Impact Assessment (Appendix 3), Council approved the Full Business Case (FBC) for Hendon Hub as set out in Appendix 1.

2.    Approved, in principle, private financing for the development, in particular private placement relying on the Middlesex University (MDX) covenant.  That Council further approved in principle that, in the event that market conditions are such at the time of seeking final funding offers, meaning that it is not possible to secure a funding offer using the Middlesex University covenant consistent with the parameters set out in the business case, a London Borough of Barnet (LBB) guarantee is made available subject to suitable risk mitigation. 

3.    Approved the process of obtaining formal funding offers from the market, the decision on final structure of the deal, the final choice of funding partner(s) and the negotiation and completion of the legal agreements are all to be delegated to the S151 Officer, in consultation with the Chairman of Policy & Resources Committee, after taking appropriate legal and financial advice and acting in the best interests of the Council.

4.    Approved the procurement, through an approved framework, of a professional advisor to secure final funding bids and advise on the structuring of the transaction.  The development of the procurement process, including the negotiation and completion of legal agreements is delegated to the S151 Officer, in consultation with the Chairman of Policy & Resources Committee, after taking appropriate legal and financial advice and acting in the best interests of the Council.

5.    Having considered the consultation responses (Appendix 4), the library engagement process (Appendix 7) and the Equalities Impact Assessment (Appendix 3), the Council approved Hendon Library moving to the new proposed location within Hendon.

6. Approved the changes to the scheme since the Outline Business Case (OBC) was approved, as detailed in the FBC, including:

·         Reduction of the proposed student accommodation unit numbers, with the introduction of 33 independent homes for young adults on the Meritage Centre site, plus 28 affordable housing units above the proposed new library. 

·         No loss of car parking spaces, with The Burroughs and Osidge Lane car parks removed from the scheme.  100% reprovision of the Fuller Street car parking spaces and the reprovision of the Town Hall car park in the main Middlesex University car park. 

·         Introduction of a Health and Wellbeing Centre (subject to finalising terms with the relevant NHS bodies).

·         Creation of a ‘Community Hub’ located in a prominent location on the Ravensfield, Fenella and Town Hall Car Park (RFC) site.

·         The PDSA veterinary practice to be relocated to Fuller Street Car Park with the parking spaces lost re-provided on the Prince of Wales estate, together with improved landscaping.

·         The Met Police’s Safer Neighbourhood Team facility proposed to be located adjacent to the proposed new Library (subject to final agreement) and improved lighting and enhanced CCTV locally. 

·         Enhanced public access to the current historic Hendon Library building, including access to the ornate 2nd floor reading rooms and staircase. Removal of the temporary library site from the programme.