Agenda and draft minutes

Please note that this meeting may be filmed or recorded by the Council for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council’s internet site or by anyone attending the meeting using any communication method. Although we ask members of the public recording, filming or reporting on the meeting not to include the public seating areas, members of the public attending the meeting should be aware that we cannot guarantee that they will not be filmed or recorded by others attending the meeting. Members of the public participating in the meeting (e.g. making deputations, asking questions, making oral protests) should be aware that they are likely to be filmed, recorded or reported on. 

By entering the meeting room and using the public seating area, you are consenting to being filmed and to the possible use of those images and sound recordings.

The chair of the meeting has the discretion to terminate or suspend filming or recording, if in his or her opinion continuation of the filming, recording or reporting would disrupt or prejudice the proceedings, infringe the rights of any individual or may lead to the breach of a legal obligation by the Council.

The Cabinet Member referred those present to agenda Item 1 as shown on the agenda in respect of filming at this meeting and asked that those present reviewed and noted the information contained therein.

The Cabinet Member will advise of any items they have decided to take as urgent business.

None.

The report will seek Cabinet Member approval to appoint the recommended contractor T&B (Contractors) Ltd to deliver adaptation and refurbishment works at Marcus Garvey Library for the total contract cost of £2,092,266.55. The report will also seek Cabinet Member approval to issue a letter of intent prior to the formal contract signature for 10% of the contract value.

The principle of refurbishing Marcus Garvey Library was agreed by Cabinet on the 17^th March 2015.£3m Capital funding was approved by Cabinet to support building (adaptation and improvement) works to Marcus Garvey library to refurbish and upgrade the building and support the inclusion of a customer services centre within the library, whilst maintaining library space and facilities.

A report was tabled seeking Cabinet Member approval to appoint the recommended contractor T&B (Contractors) Ltd to deliver adaptation and refurbishment works at Marcus Garvey Library for the total contract cost of £2,092,662.55. The report also sought approval from the Cabinet Member for Resources and Culture to issue a letter of intent prior to the formal contract signature for 10% of the contract value which is £209,266.26.

A list of six companies was generated from Constructionline and the companies were invited to submit a proposal in response to an Invitation to Tender. Five responses were received and evaluated. The tender was based on a 60 % quality and 40 % price bid and contract period of 16 weeks.

The Cabinet Member noted that the adaption and improvement works did not require planning permission, with the exception of an entrance being installed to the rear of the building, which was due to be considered at Planning Committee. Refusal to grant planning permission for the door would not undermine the scheme as a whole; as the plans had been designed so that this feature was able to be cut out of the design without affecting the feasibility of the overall works. In order to under the programme of works, the library would need to temporarily close for approximately 6 months whilst the works were undertaken.

A number of questions in relation to the report were raised by both members of the public representing the Friends of Marcus Garvey and by Cllr Carter. A summary of those questions and the responses is noted below.

In response to a question regarding the extent to which the proposal enjoyed broad community support, the Cabinet Member responded that with the closure of Apex House, the proposals ensured that there was a customer service centre in Tottenham. Whilst alternative sites were looked into, the costs and timescales were found to be prohibitive. The Cabinet Member also advised that investment into Marcus Garvey was required to improve the facilities and that the works would ensure that the library would get; more study spaces, brand new computers, refurbished lifts, refurbished toilets and refresh the library’s collection of books whilst maintaining the Marcus Garvey Collection. The Cabinet Member reiterated that the Council would limit the amount of space allocated to a customer service centre within the library to around 20%. 

The Cabinet Member also acknowledged that he was aware the concerns of some sections of the local community in relation to the proposals and that he had seen the petition on change.org. The Cabinet Member advised that he was concerned by a number of comments that he had seen both  ...  view the full minutes text for item 123.

To consider any items of Urgent Business admitted under Item 2 above.

N/A

That the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting as the items below contain exempt information, as defined under Paragraphs 3 & 5, Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED

That the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting as the items below contained exempt information, as defined under paragraphs 3 and 5, Part 1, schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

As per item 3.

Noted the information contained within the Exempt Part B of report.

As per item 2.

N/A