Agenda item

TO FOLLOW

TheChairmanintroducedthereportwhichprovidedan updateon progress across the programme since the last committee. The report provided updates on the station programme and also on the satisfaction of the Phase Unconditional Date to enable plot development later this year, commencing with Plot 12 (replacement Homes for the Whitefield Estate) and Plot 25 (student accommodation).  The report also sought authority to enable decisions to be taken and the required amendments made to various documents to facilitate the ongoing progression of the BXT/BXC regeneration scheme as set out in the recommendations.

Members sought reassurance on the sources of information being used.  It was confirmed that the council did work with a number of partners on the Brent Cross project.

Members questioned what input the Council had on the playing fields aspect of the project.  Officers confirmed that the playing fields formed part of the overall master plan and this included liaising with local community groups on needs.

The Chairman moved to thank the previous Officer for their work on the project and in bringing the scheme through.  This was echoed by other Members who noted that despite challenges they had been an exceptional officer.

Followingdiscussion oftheitemtheChairmanmovedto thevoteon theofficer’srecommendations.

The Chairman moved to the vote on the officer’s recommendations:

For: 5 Votes

Abstain: 4 Votes

RESOLVED thatthe Committee:

1)    Note progress across the Brent Cross programme as detailed in the report; namely on the station works and progress across the Brent Cross town.

2)    Note that the council and its advisors are currently assessing the impact to the station construction programme following the loss of railway possessions in November 2021 (week 35) and in January (week 41) (paragraph 1.6 of this report). The council is working through the programme with Network Rail and contractors to agree a revised programme. However, it should be noted that the station December 2022 opening date may require to be deferred (paragraph 1.6).

3)    Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive to implement the procurement strategy for the delivery of Brent Cross West Station western public realm to utilise a combination of the existing station contractor, VolkerFitzpatrick, and TarmacKier Joint Venture (paragraph 1.11), and to enter into contract with TarmacKier to deliver other required highways works on the BX scheme, subject to compliance with all statutory requirements (paragraphs 1.57 – 1.59).

4)    Note that the council is finalising the Heads of Terms with Brent Cross Town JVLP to provide the framework for bringing the Retail Park into the Brent Cross Town Joint Venture.  The Heads of Terms will be reviewed by the Brent Cross Member Working Member Group and approval is requested to authorise the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee and Director of Resources to provide final approval to the same. Following approval, the council and BXT will then formally document the framework. The Committee is therefore asked to delegate authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee and Director of Resources to agree and enter into the document and framework through a variation to the Project Agreement within the parameters of the approved Heads of Terms alongside any consequential changes to the associated documents and the BXT Business Plan (paragraph 1.70).

5)    Note that the BXT Unconditional Longstop Date has been extended to 18 March 2022 and that the Committee:

a) approves that the First Phase Proposal Boundary is amended as set out in paragraphs 1.32-1.37 of this report,

b) approves that the council may confirm that the Highways Condition is partially waived as set out in paragraphs 1.43 and

c) delegates to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee to confirm acceptance that the viability condition has been satisfied as set of in paragraphs 1.43 of this report ahead of the Phase Unconditional Longstop Date.

6)    To enable the drawdown of the Lot 2 Investment Plots simultaneously by 31 December 2022, that  the Committee authorises that the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee and the Director of Resources  may vary the Project Agreement as required and enter into the Plot Development Agreement and associated lease and other required documents (in a form which will be a variation to that currently anticipated in the Project Agreement) as set out in paragraphs 1.44-1.46 of this report.

7)    Delegate authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Charmain of the Committee to agree the Side Letter as required by the Consent Letter set out in paragraph 1.23 of this report

8)    To note that the council has appropriated all land within the Brent Cross Town First Phase Proposal as set out in paragraphs 1.63-1.68.  Consequently, the land held by the council for the Brent Cross scheme is now held for planning purposes pursuant to S227 of the Town & Country Act 1990 and should be noted by the Director of Resources to record this within the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account.