Consideration of options to allow the opening of the Princess Promenade and to secure its long term future.

The Council considered a report on a proposal to provide an immediate solution to repair the ‘banjo’ and the eastern section of Princess Parade, Torquay, which would enable the closed sections to be re-opened as soon as possible.

With the agreement of the meeting in accordance Standing Order A16.8(a) it was proposed by the Mayor and seconded by Councillor Ellery:

(i)         that tenders be invited and a contract be let to carry out repairs to the eastern promenade and the banjo.  The first contract to commence in early 2012 with a break in the summer of 2012 with no works carried out in June, July and August and will be completed by the end of 2012;

(ii)        that the capital programme for 2011/12 be amended to provide £800,000 to carry out the first phase of repairs to the promenade and upper level of the Banjo to be opened for the Summer of 2012;

(iii)       that the capital programme for 2012/13 be amended to provide £2.15 million to fund the second phase under a second contract which will not be entered into until April 2012; and

(iv)       that, subject to alternative capital resources being identified, the project is funded from prudential borrowing to be financed from the Council’s revenue budget.  The financial implications to be reflected in future year revenue budgets.

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Darling and seconded by Councillor Baldrey:

(i)         that tenders be invited and a contract be let to carry out repairs to the eastern promenade and the banjo.  The contract to commence in early 2012 with a break in the summer of 2012 with no works carried out in June, July and August and will be completed by the end of 2012;

(ii)        that the capital programme for 2011/12 be amended to provide £800,000 to carry out the first phase of repairs to the promenade and upper level of the banjo to be opened for the Summer of 2012;

(iii)       that the capital programme for 2012/13 be amended to provide £2.15 million to fund the second phase of the repairs to the eastern promenade and banjo to secure its long term future;

(iv)       that the Chief Executive of the Torbay Development Agency be requested to secure firm proposals from the private sector, without prejudice, to repair and improve the banjo and for such works to dove-tail with the Council funded repairs to the eastern promenade, and to provide a briefing to Members prior to formal consideration at the Council meeting on 1 February 2012;

(v)        that no tenders for the second phase be sought until after the Council meeting referred to in (iv) above;

(vi)       that, subject to alternative capital resources being identified, the project is funded from prudential borrowing to be financed from the Council’s revenue budget.  The financial implications to be reflected in future year revenue budgets; and

(vii)      that the Commissioner of Place and Environment, in consultation with the Mayor, Group Leaders and the Chief Executive of Torbay Development Agency, be authorised to negotiate the delay of the works to the banjo, subject to the receipt of firm proposals for the same as referred to in 2.4 above.

It was proposed by the Chairman and seconded by the Vice-Chairman that the item be adjourned until Friday, 30 September to enable the Group Leaders to meet to agree a way forward:

On being put to the vote, the motion was declared carried.

(Note:  prior to consideration of Minute 310, Councillor Tyerman declared a personal interest as a Director of Torbay Economic Development Company.)

At the adjourned meeting Councillor Darling and Councillor Baldrey withdrew the amendment as set out in (i) to (vii) above.

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Pentney and seconded by Councillor Darling:

(a)       that tenders to be invited for two contracts to carry out repairs to the Eastern Promenade and the repair or replacement of the banjo.  The first contract to commence in early 2012 and to be completed by end of May 2012.  There shall be a clause in this first contract which will allow the Council to not proceed with the banjo element of the works in the event that these prove to be unnecessary because of alternative plans from developers;

(b)       the second contract to commence in September 2012 and is not to be signed before end of April 2012 in order to allow time for amendments to be made in the event of a developer coming forward;

(c)        that the capital programme for 2011/2012 be amended to provide £800,000 to carry out the first phase of repairs to be the promenade unless private funding is not available and the upper level of the banjo to be opened for the Summer of 2012;

(d)       that the capital programme for 2012/2013 be amended to provide £2.15 million to fund the second phase of the repairs to the eastern promenade and banjo area to secure its long term future;

(e)       that the Chief Executive of the Torbay Development Agency be requires to investigate proposals from the private sector, without prejudice, for such works to dove-tail with the Council funded repairs to the Eastern Promenade, and to provide a briefing to members prior to formal consideration; and

(f)         that subject to alternative capital resources being identified the project is funded from prudential borrowing to be financed from the Council’s revenues budget the financial implications to be reflected in future year revenue budgets.

On being put to the vote, the motion was declared lost.

An amendment was moved by the Mayor and seconded by Councillor Pentney:

            That the original motion be withdrawn and consideration of the Report be deferred to the next meeting of Council.

On being put to the vote, the motion was declared carried (unanimous).