(Report number
CAB/WS/23/022)
At its meeting on 9 March 2023, the Overview
and Scrutiny Committee had received Report number OAS/WS/3/003
which had carried out a post implementation scrutiny review of the
Council’s involvement in the Mildenhall Hub, which had opened
to the public in May 2021 and represented a combined public sector
investment of over £40 million into facilities for Mildenhall
and the surrounding area.
As a broad structure to the review, the
Overview and Scrutiny Committee examined the following issues, to
make recommendations to Cabinet/Council accordingly:
1.
Had the capital project achieved the objectives last set for it by
the Council?
2.
How had the Mildenhall Hub performed in its first 20 months against
its business plan and funding model?
3.
What remaining actions were there to deliver the Council’s
original objectives.
The review had also included information on
the baseline position; delivery of strategic objectives
(non-financial); impact of new leisure facilities; wider hub
concept and other partners’ facilities; environmental
performance; external recognition; delivery of financial objectives
and further actions to implement project objectives.
After considering the content of the review,
the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had submitted eight
recommendations for endorsement by the Cabinet, as set out in
Report number CAB/WS/23/022.
Councillor Ian Shipp,
Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, also drew
relevant issues to the attention of the Cabinet.
As had been raised under the previous item
(minute number 467. above), the Cabinet also discussed the proposed
amendment to Recommendation 7. with regards to a lower speed limit
being introduced on Wamil Way,
Mildenhall. The Cabinet duly supported
this amendment.
Resolved:
That:
1.
Subject to the suggested actions below, the Cabinet
endorsed the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s conclusion
that the Mildenhall Hub has met the strategic and environmental
objectives set for it by Forest Heath District Council in 2018 and
is making good progress towards the break-even financial test by
year five of its operation.
2.
Subject to joint-funding and planning consent,
adaptations be made to the eastern plaza to:
-
Reduce the walking distance from disabled parking
spaces to the eastern entrance;
-
Create a disabled drop-off;
-
Future-proof the future expansion of the Hub by
providing more disabled parking spaces.
3.
When any works to the east plaza are complete,
investigate, consult on and, if appropriate, introduce a Traffic
Regulation Order to regulate the parking on site.
4.
The current and future capacity of on-site car
parking should be taken into account as
part of any proposals for expansion of education capacity at and
adjacent to the Hub; and the Council, as Hub landlord, should make
submissions to the Local Planning Authority, Highways Authority
and/or education partners accordingly on behalf of the
partnership.
5.
The final required highways audit of the Queensway /
Sheldrick Way junction be commissioned
in late 2023.
6.
The current and future capacity of the Queensway /
Sheldrick Way junction should be taken
into account as part of any highway appraisals for the delivery of
the West Mildenhall masterplan and/or ...
view the full minutes text for item 468.