Issue - meetings

To advise the Committee on progress

The Chair asked for a brief introduction.

The General Manager – Mr Loudfoot advised that at the last meeting of the advisory committee it was reported that little if any progress had been made in forwarding the development project. It was agreed that should any significant progress be made before the next scheduled meeting then a special meeting of the advisory committee would be called to discuss the progress. It had not been necessary to call this meeting. Mr Loudfoot further commented that at this point in time it was still the case that insufficient progress had been made to be able to offer any meaningful report on negotiations.  Mr Loudfoot advised that since there was no progress to be reported a written report would not normally be tabled. However, past meetings had resolved that a written report should always be tabled and as such the lack of progress was formally reported.

In response to a point of clarification from Councillor Whyte with regard to an investigation by the Charity Commission Mr Loudfoot advised that no such investigation was being carried out to his knowledge.

The Chair commented at the brevity of the circulated report and the fact that there was surely some progress to report/impart to the Advisory Committee regarding the current position with the Firoka Group. The local community was hanging on to the fact that there had been a deal struck with the Firoka Group and that in this respect the local community needed to know what the latest position was.

In response Mr Loudfoot advised that he fully appreciated the frustrations expressed at the lack of progress. He advised that in terms of the Firoka bid it was the case that the Board were still in negotiations with Firoka and they were still the Board’s chosen preferred bidder, and a holistic development and approach was still the aim of Board. Beyond that there was nothing further to report.

The Chair commented that surely if there were doubts as to the Firoka bid and further negotiations were being delayed then people had the right to know that this was the case. In sensing that it was likely that there was a problem the Chair commented that by stating that there was no news did give a negative outlook as to the future of the asset.  It was the case that all concerned wanted the building to be in full use and a viable development.

Councillor C Harris commented that whilst she appreciated the frustrations of many present it was a fact that there was indeed no further news to report, and that the situation was as reported. It was also the case that there were occasions where the Board would be unable to report on negotiations because of the financial/commercially sensitive nature or legal content of such negotiations to which no other party would be privy.

Councillor Whyte commented that whilst she appreciated that there was insufficient progress to allow for a fuller report it was the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9