Issue - decisions

Eddie Sutton, Assistant Chief Executive, presented a report setting out a number of proposals in respect of Preston Bus Station and Multi Storey Car Park which would support the creation of a modern and vibrant public service hub. In particular, the key developments would focus on:

-  A new youth zone for young people;

-  The refurbishment of the bus station;

-  The creation of a public open space;

-  The upgrading of the multi-storey car park.

County Councillor Matthew Tomlinson referred to discussions with the Preston Youth Council and the involvement of the Youth Council in the development of the new youth zone facility. The Leader of the County Council suggested that the design of the public open space should be the subject of an international competition.

County Councillor Bill Winlow reported that the Executive Scrutiny Committee, at its meeting on 4 November, had suggested that the current recommendation 4(6) be amended to read 'To review with external grant funding organisations the potential for external grant funding'.

Resolved: - That:

(i)  Approval be given to the proposals set out in this report, now presented, which overall will see the regeneration of Preston Bus Station and Multi Storey Car Park, primarily as a public services hub focusing on facilities for young people, bus and coach transportation, pedestrian safety, highway improvements, car parking and the creation of accessible and useable public open space within the heart of Preston City Centre;

(ii)  Approval be given to reallocate  the County Council contribution of £8.3m to the construction of a new bus station, contained within the approved capital programme, to the refurbishment of the Preston Bus Station and Multi Storey Car Park;

(iii)  The Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools be requested to review and reprioritise  resources already allocated in the Children and Young People's overall capital programme with the view of releasing £2m of funding to support the development of the Preston Youth Zone Plus;

(iv)  Officers be requested:

(1)  To work with the  Preston Youth Zone partners to develop the scheme for the Preston Youth  Zone Plus;

(2)  To work with the contractors recently selected for the County Council's Construction Framework to refine the estimates set out in this report;

(3)  To complete the Conservation Management Plan;

(4)  To prepare a consolidated development proposal for consideration by Cabinet;

(5)  To prepare and submit an application for listed building consent/planning permission;

(6)  To review with external grant funding organisations the potential for external grant funding.

(v)  The Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal Executive and Stewardship Board be recommended to endorse the revised proposals for Preston Bus Station and Multi Storey Car Park on the basis set out in the report and to include them within the 2015/18 City Deal Infrastructure Delivery Plan;

(vi)  That an international design competition be held for the design of the public open space.

The committee were presented with a report setting out a number of proposals in respect of Preston Bus Station and Multi Storey Car Park which would support the vision of creating a modern and vibrant public service hub. The development would include a new Youth Zone for young people, the refurbishment of the bus station, the creation of a public open space and the upgrading of the multi-storey car park.

The committee were taken through the recent history of the site and also particularly the proposals to develop a Youth Zone in Preston. It was reported that the proposal to site the Youth Zone at the Bus Station site was supported by Onside, the organisation behind Youth Zones across the country, and also represented a better financial deal for the council than the original proposal on the County Hall car park site.

It was made clear that the £3m contribution from the CYP capital programme was that set aside by the previous administration for the Youth Zone.

The Committee considered the information presented, particularly in relation to the estimated costs and funding arrangements.

It was proposed and seconded that:

The cabinet be asked to defer the decision to give an opportunity

a.  To ensure all appropriate costs were included in the assessment, to guarantee a life span for the building of 25 years

b.  To ensure that the costs are properly funded

c.  To seek opinions on the site of the Youth Zone from young people, via the Youth Council

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

In considering the recommendations to Cabinet, it was noted that it was intended to amend recommendation 4(6) to read 'To review with external grant funding organisations the potential for external grant funding'.

Resolved: That the recommendations in the report to Cabinet be noted and that support be given to the proposed amendment to recommendation 4(6) to read 'To review with external grant funding organisations the potential for external grant funding'.