Brent Council today rather belatedly published the Officer's report for Cabinet
LINK on the review of the decision to spend £17.8m of CIL money on Olympic Way improvements with the majority of the money going to replace the current Wembley Stadium pedway with steps.
The Olympic Way improvements are divided into 3 zones: Zone A is the area between Fulton Road and the foot of the pedway. Zone B is from Wembley Park station to the norther edge of Fulton Road. Zone C is the pedway replacement and public works from the foot of the pedway to the stadium.
The report recommends that Cabinet members:
2.1
Re-examine the funding decision for Olympic Way improvements in the light
of the possible change in ownership of Wembley Stadium and confirm that funding
from Quintain and the Stadium owners forms a three way funding stream for Zone
C.
· 2.2 Confirm or otherwise the
contribution of up to £12.1 million +VAT towards Zone
C improvements, such contribution
being contingent on Quintain:
a.
Not
pursuing development of site NW04 (see plan above) adjacent to the Civic Centre to the extent
currently permitted in the parameters plans associated with outline planning
permission 10/3032
LINK
b.
Working
with the Council to deliver a development that better complements the role and
setting of the Civic Centre, in particular creating a significant new square
outside the Civic Centre Library
c.
Agreeing
a business plan and agreement, between Quintain and the council, for the future
sharing and reinvestment of the net income generated through assets on Olympic
Way in Zones A, B and C.
d.
Securing
up to one third funding contribution from Wembley Stadium owners.
2.3
Confirm the decision to contribute up to £5.7million+VAT for works to
Zone B including Fulton Road Crossing, such contribution contingent on Quintain
completing Zone A works and agreeing a business plan and agreement, between
Quintain and the council for the future sharing and reinvestment of the net
income generated through assets on Zones A and B of Olympic Way.
2.4 Note that if item 2.2 is confirmed the total contribution for
Olympic Way improvements will be up to £17.8 million plus VAT.
2.5 Delegate agreement of the
Business Plan and entering into an agreement for the future sharing and
reinvestment of net income generated through assets on Olympic Way to the
Strategic Director Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Cabinet
Member of Regeneration, Highways & Planning.
2.6 Subject to the level of
funding contribution from Wembley Stadium owners for Zone C improvements as
detailed in recommendation 2.2 (d), delegate to the Strategic Director
Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member of
Regeneration, Highways & Planning authority to agree the adequacy of such
contribution secured.
The report reveals the existence of a 'Statement of Common Ground' with Quintain:
A “Statement of Common Ground” dating back to
2010 exists between the council and Quintain that allows for the application of
CIL funds by LBB for the delivery of strategic infrastructure as identified in
policy and the Infrastructure and Investment Framework (IIF). The above
projects are within the IIF. The strategic CIL collected across the Borough, as
a consequence of new development, is intended to be spent on infrastructure
projects to support the ongoing development of the area, enhanced public realm
falls within this, and it is proposed that a contribution from CIL to the costs
of the works is appropriate.
I have requested a copy of this document. I did have access to the Section 106 agreement made between the council and Quintain but my latest search
LINK returned a 'document unavailable' message. Perhaps it will reappear.
The report documents how far the work has gone so far including the reorientation of the NW04 building next to the Civic Centre which was sought by the council in exchange for funding the Olympic Way works:
Quintain
have secured planning consent for Zone B works and have started
works in this Zone at their risk as
a result of the July 2017 Cabinet decision;
Quintain
and the Council have substantially agreed a draft Memorandum of Understanding
for the mechanism for releasing the funding for Zones B and C and the
principles of the Business Plan under which any net income sharing between Brent
Council and Quintain will apply;
WNSL/FA and Quintain have undertaken
considerable technical and modelling work to validate the operational
efficiency and safety of the proposed steps replacing the pedway;
A planning application has been submitted
for the reorientation of the NW04 building which will better complement the
role and setting of the Civic Centre, and create a significant new square
outside the Civic Centre Library;
A planning application have been
submitted for the removal of the pedway and installation of the steps and all
Zone C improvement work;
To date Quintain have spent in
excess of £1m and are anticipating spending a further £1.5m to £2m (subject to
Brent’s confirmation of the funding contribution and WSNL/FA or the new owners
agreement to the removal of the pedway) on design fees alone related to Zone B
and Zone C.
Is it the council's task to provide an 'inspiring front door' to what will be a private stadium?
Remember that Press Release from Quintain that said they would pay for the 'Olympic Steps?'
The Cabinet report does not mention that and certainly does not explore all the other possible uses that the £12.1m allocated to the pedway removal and replacement could be spent on to address our crumbling roads and pavements.
The Cabinet meeting is due to last just one hour on Monday and there are other items on the agenda: hardly enough time to carefully consider the issue. I suspect the decision has been made already...