Agenda and minutes

No apologies for absence were received.

RECOMMENDATION that the public minutes E/23/09/21 to E/34/09/21

of the meeting of the Executive held on 14 September 2021 be confirmed and approved by the Chairman as a correct record of those proceedings (copies previously circulated).

The Leader referenced minute number E/26/09/21 and requested that the following amendment be made to the minute in order to better reflect the answer given to the supplementary question:

“The Leader responded as follows:

The statement about PEN 3 - the answer I have already given really applies equally to the supplementary question which is that I am not seeking to enforce the Local Plan as suggested”

Proposed by Councillor Taylor

Seconded by Councillor Derbyshire

RESOLVED that the minutes E/23/09/21 to E/34/09/21 of the meeting of the Executive held on 14 September 2021 be confirmed and approved by the Chairman as a correct record of proceedings, subject to the amendment above.

To receive declarations of the existence and nature of any private interests, both disclosable pecuniary and any other registrable interests, in any matter to be considered or being considered.

No declarations of interest were made.

To receive questions and representations from the public under Rules 3 and 4 of the Executive Procedure Rules of the Constitution

Mr Jonathan Davies asked the following question:

On the 4th of May 2021, I request via a freedom of information request to Eden Council details and a copy of the report commissioned by Eden council using one public estate funding into the Newton Rigg collage estate and the future usage of the site conducted in 2019 and details of how and who authorised the report to be conducted at Eden council.

On the 15th of September 2021, I received a letter from Eden council confirmed that Eden District Council holds the information relating to the request I made.

Eden Council also confirmed that the report was authorised by a strategic advisor for the Council however the council do not do not have any details of the authorisation process.

Despite the report paid for by public money into the Newton Rigg site by Eden council the council has refused to disclose the report saying the report was never intended to be in the public domain and that the he report is commercially confidential. The council has also refused to disclose any part the council had in the closure and sale of Newton Rigg announced weeks after the report was completed in the usage of the land at Newton Rigg as commissioned and paid for by Eden council.

Can the leader please explain why despite Newton Rigg now been closed and sold the council still refuses to make public the report and the councils part in the closure of Newton Rigg this report commissioned by Eden council played in those events.

The Leader responded as follows:

The report was commissioned in an attempt to support Askham Bryan College in developing a plan to make Newton Rigg college viable. Askham Bryan decided not to take this forward and instead took steps to close the college.  As the report relates to Askham Bryan College’s activities it is not appropriate for this document to be released by the Council.  The Council played no part in the decision to close Newton Rigg; indeed we, with others, made every effort to persuade Askham Bryan not to do so.

Mr Jonathan Davies asked the following supplementary question:

I thank the leader for that reply, it will come as no surprise to the leader of the council that I have seen the contents of the report, and the land usage outlined in the report. It was evident from the report suggestion for the land usage of Newton Rigg campus that there was more value to Askham Bryan to selling the development land than retaining for education. It is also evident that the report closely mirrors plans put forward in 2018 that link back to the Penrith masterplan and the opposition to the proposed strategic masterplan for Penrith by members of this administration, with support of the founder of the Keeping Penrith Special group. While the opposition of the proposed plan was focusing everyone’s attention up the hill of the Beacon, a slight of hand trick was taking place behind  ...  view the full minutes text for item E/38/10/21

To receive questions and representations from Members under Rule 5 of the Executive Procedure Rules of the Constitution

No questions or representations were received from members under Rule 5 of the Executive Procedure Rules of the Constitution.

To consider report CE12-21 of the Deputy Chief Executive which is attached and which seeks to provide an overarching project update and set out options to consider for the delivery of the scheme.

RECOMMENDATIONS that Executive:

1. Authorises the extension of the current procurement process, to include a negotiated process; and

2. Delegates authority to the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader and Portfolio Holder for Resources to appoint the contractor subject to the variation of the capital programme specified in 2.1.3. 

3. Recommends Council approve the variation of the capital programme for Voreda House.

Members considered report no: CE12-21 of the Deputy Chief Executive which sought to provide an overarching project update and set out options to consider for the delivery of the scheme.

Proposed by Councillor Greenwood

Seconded by Councillor Rudhall

and RESOLVED that Executive:

1.     Authorises the extension of the current procurement process, to include a negotiated process; and

2.     Delegates authority to the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader and Portfolio Holder for Resources to appoint the contractor subject to the variation of the capital programme specified in 2.1.3.

3.     Recommends Council approve the variation of the capital programme for Voreda House.

Other Options Considered: The options are outlined in section 4.7.

Reasons for the Decision/ Recommendation: To deliver the vision for Voreda House project as a low carbon, fit for purpose public service hub for residents of Eden, the rationale for which has been strengthen by the outcome of LGR.

There were no other items which the Chairman felt were urgent.

The date of the next scheduled meeting be confirmed as 19 October 2021

The date of the next scheduled meeting was confirmed as 19 October 2021