Issue - meetings

Councillor Patel submits a report seeking approval to actions to facilitate the relocation of Abbey Meadows Depot.

Councillor Patel submitted a report informing the Cabinet of the latest position with the relocation of the Abbey Meadows Depot and seeking approval to actions to facilitate the project.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the relocation project be welcomed as a tremendous opportunity to regenerate one of Leicester's key potential development sites and to create jobs;

(2)that the proposed deal be supported in principle, noting that the Council would be looking for a funding package involving key partners with a stake in the project, in particular:

(a)to note the need to consult the City Council’s partners on the Leicester Regeneration Agency about using the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund to secure a contribution, recognising that the scheme plays a major part in providing employment opportunities in deprived wards and makes a direct contribution to the Public Service Agreement target of raising employment rates in disadvantaged areas;

(b)to welcome the support the City Council would be receiving from the East Midlands Development Agency, as detailed in the report;

(c)to note that the City Council's contribution to the relocation would be substantial and that significant elements such as the purchase of the new site had already been identified;

(3)that the pressures on the City Council's capital programme due to expected non-achievement of the capital receipts target set two years ago be noted, as well as the need to explore solutions to this issue at the same time as the funding of the depot relocation;

(4)that the City Council's partners be consulted about the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and funding options be discussed further with a report back to the Cabinet on 19 March 2001; and

(5)that the relevant Scrutiny Committees be consulted on the proposed funding solution between now and 19 March 2001 Cabinet meeting, either through a formal joint meeting of the Strategic Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee with the Finance, Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee or through such informal briefing as the Scrutiny Committees so wished.