Issue - meetings

Resolutions:  It agreed that Cabinet:

a) Approved the business case for the Old Black Lion and St Peter’s Church project to draw down

on £315,000 of Towns Funding

b) Delegated authority to the Head of Major Projects and Regeneration to finalise the Grant

Funding Agreement with The Churches Conservation Trust (CCT)

c) Delegated authority to the Assistant Director of Assets and the Environment to agree terms of

the lease on the Old Black Lion Pub.

 Reason for Resolutions

The recommendation was made so the regeneration of Northampton Town Centre can take place as set within the Town Investment Plan.

Alternative Options

None

At the Chairman’s invitation Councillor Lizzy Bowen presented the report, copies of which had been previously circulated. The committee was advised that the report also included information about St Peters Church which was a 12^th century listed building. It was advised that Northampton Forward was leading on this project, there were also a number of key stakeholders involved both private and public. The committee was advised that the Church’s Conservation Trust (CCT) had been in conversation with the National Bell Ringers association regarding moving their headquarters to the area and potentially using this site. It had been highlighted in the report that a local pub operator would take over the running of the pub. WNC would maintain links to the project.

Councillors made the following comments.

·         The report mentioned a ‘proper pub’ several times, could there be clarification with what this means?

·         It was noted that after any consultation there were at times members of the public who claimed to have not been consulted. It was queried whether how the consultation process is conducted could be revisited.

·         It was noted that Northampton Forward had already pre-approved this decision before it had come to Cabinet.

·         It was advised that many of the constituents of Spring Boroughs were unhappy about this proposal as the community already had various facilities like this one.

·         The community was a diverse one and it was questioned whether the project proposal taken this into account as a shared secular space had been requested by the community.

·         A proper business case for the project was requested. There had been a pub on site previously which had failed, would this be any different?

Councillor Lizzy Bowen made the following comments.

·         The board make up was a government requirement and WNC had followed guidelines on this.

·         With regards the Business Plan there wasn’t much more that could be provided and it had been a thorough process.

·         There had been a local emphasis on the lease arrangements, communication with Phipps Brewery Company had taken place regarding this.

·         It was noted that the diversity of the community might not have been appreciated as much as it should have but the committee was advised that this project was not just for Spring Boroughs but for the whole of Northamptonshire.

The Chairman advised that there had been active dialogue with the local breweries.