Agenda item

Presentation of Dashboard – Tris Burdett, Programmes Manager

The Board received a programme update on all of the Clay Cross Town Deal projects to date. They heard that certain key milestones had been reached, these included: pressure testing being completed at Clay Cross Active swimming pool, the preferred contractor for the Town Centre Regeneration and connections works had been selected, and the Low Carbon Challenge Fund had received 12 applications and seven expressions of interest.

Members heard that the Clay Cross Town Deal projects were progressing well. They were informed that one target was overdue, and this was the acquisition of Block A and former school land. They heard that this work would soon be finalised.

Board were given an overview of the programme risks for the Clay Cross Town Deal project and what mitigations had been put in place to address these. Some of the risks associated with the programme included: rising costs, a risk of failing to purchase or agree the workplan on externally owned assets within the time frame, and the risk of failing to meet the outputs/outcomes as specified in the business cases.

Members were provided with an update on Clay Cross Active. They heard that construction had been progressing well despite inclement weather. Discussions were underway with the NHS and Citizens Advice in order to formally agree leases for the new space. As well as this, work was taking place to explore the leasing options for TAG Active, Soft Play and the Fitness Suite.

Board were made aware that National Grid had confirmed that power connection to the leisure centre would be undertaken by early June 2024.

Members were given an overview of the top risks associated with Clay Cross Active and the mitigations that had been put in place to address these. Some of these risks were: delays to the project caused by adverse weather, a greater extent of asbestos being found than expected, and a risk of significant delay to the required ‘power on’ date.

Town Deal Board received an update on the Town Centre Regeneration and heard that Inside Limited had been selected as the contractor following the procurement tendering process. Members were also informed that the former junior school land had been procured by the Accountable Body and the purchase of the Block A building from DCC by the Accountable Body was in the final stages.

Members were informed that the project team were working with the NEDDC planning department to find a solution that would address the conservation issues raised in relation to the A61 access application.

DCC, Chesterfield College and the University of Derby had been asked to clarify their delivery strategy and methods for the learning outcomes as agreed with DLUHC. An update on this would be provided at the next meeting of Board.

Board were made aware that the programme spend for the Town Centre Regeneration was below the forecasted amount. They heard that the actual spend would likely increase once further works had started.

Members were provided with an overview of the top risks for the project and what mitigations had been put in place to address these. The top risks included: a delay on the approval from DCC on the 278 connection works, skills, learning outputs and outcomes not being delivered as agreed with DLUHC, and the A61 planning submission not being approved.

Town Deal Board received an update on the Low Carbon Challenge Fund and heard that 6680 square metres of commercial buildings had already been improved against the target of 6000 square metres.

Board were made aware of the top risks for the project and the mitigations that had been put in place against these. The top risks included: a low uptake resulting in a failure to spend the budget within the time scales, a failure to deliver contracted DLUHC outputs within the programme time scales, and poor value for money on the work funded by the LCCF.

Councillor G Morley informed Board that he had met with an Officer at the site of the Clay Cross Active development. He raised concerns that the entranceway was potentially dangerous and would not be sufficient for the project. The Director of Growth & Assets offered to discuss these issues with him outside of the meeting.

Lee Rowley MP enquired as to how much financial risk remained in the projects, how much contingency remained in the budget and how likely the plan was to remain within expected costs. He was informed that a majority of the risk was from unseen factors such as what was underground and potential asbestos within existing structures. Work had taken place with Sport England to ensure that enough contingency money was in place for any of the potential risks involved. He was also informed that as much risk as possible would be passed onto the contractor and an update on this would be provided at the next meeting.

Members discussed the library building and if a potential use for it within the scheme could be found. Councillor G Morley agreed to meet with the Director of Finance & Resources and the Assistant Director Communities outside of the meeting in order to discuss a potential use for the building.

RESOLVED – That Town Deal Board:

1.    Noted the Clay Cross Town Deal Programme Update.

2.    Noted the risks involved with the programmes and the mitigations that had been put in place to address these.