Issue - meetings

To provide Cabinet with a monthly update regarding ongoing construction work at 24 High Street, Wisbech. To highlight additional costs incurred for the construction of 24 High Street, as detailed in the January 2025 Cabinet report, and to seek formal approval from Cabinet for this additional funding.

(Work regarding 11-12 High Street, Wisbech will now be covered in other reports)

AGREED to:

·         delegate authority to the S151 officer, working in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, to fund the additional £265,000 identified as necessary, at this time, to complete the construction of 24 High Street. This cost is a contractual obligation as part of building work.

·         Note that until the building is completed there may be other additional costs, albeit these are anticipated to be more minor in nature, as the complex part of the building works are completed. It is anticipated that further costs will be addressed by way of a Portfolio or Officer Decision Notice.

Members considered the 24 High Street, Wisbech report presented by Councillor Seaton. 

Councillor Boden said it is excellent to hear that the end is in sight and the property will soon be in full use. He thanked Councillor Seaton for his work during this very long process. Councillor Mrs French agreed, discussions on this premises began in 2011, and she looks forward to it no longer being on the agenda.

Councillor Seaton said he was grateful for the comments, but officers have done an extreme amount of work on this complex building over a long period of time. 

Councillor Boden thanked Cabinet members too for their support to move the project forwards as without some difficult decisions this location could have remained undeveloped for decades. 

Proposed by Councillor Seaton, seconded by Councillor Hoy and AGREED to:

·         delegate authority to the S151 officer, working in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, to fund the additional £265,000 identified as necessary, at this time, to complete the construction of 24 High Street. This cost is a contractual obligation as part of building work.

·         Note that until the building is completed there may be other additional costs, albeit these are anticipated to be more minor in nature, as the complex part of the building works are completed. It is anticipated that further costs will be addressed by way of a Portfolio or Officer Decision Notice.