URL: https://democracy.melton.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=3640

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: The decision is to:   1)     consider and approve the change in procurement process for the main contract from direct award to tender process; 2)     consider and approve the design amendments; 3)     note the new delivery structure, and; 4)     consider and approve the change in operational delivery.   Added 06 November 2025

Content: The decision is to:   1)     consider and approve the change in procurement process for the main contract from direct award to tender process; 2)     consider and approve the design amendments; 3)     note the new delivery structure, and; 4)     consider and approve the change in operational delivery.   Added 06 November 2025 That Cabinet:   1.     NOTED the progress update on the Stockyard project, including the completion of the RIBA stage 4 programme review, including a design review and operator review and considers the following recommendations arising:   Project Team:   2.     NOTED the updates in governance and project structure at appendix 1a and appendix 1b and, approves the appointment of the delivery team to support the Council in delivering RIBA stages 5 -7.   3.     DELEGATED AUTHORITY to the Director for Place and Prosperity in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Finance, Property and Resources and the Monitoring Officer to enter all necessary legal agreements and contracts.   Construction Procurement:   4.     NOTED the Government has confirmed that LUF projects have an updated completion deadline of March 2028, and the updated programme timeline and delivery schedule.   5.     NOTED that the reprofiled Capital Programme will be considered by Council at the budget setting meeting in February 2026.   6.     On the basis of the additional time available and to maximise value for money, amend the previous decision for a direct award through a framework and instead APPROVED the initiation of a two-stage procurement process for the main construction contract.   7.     APPROVED the Procurement Strategy and principles which will govern the procurement process and set out in section 5.2.   8.     Following the procurement process, DELEGATED AUTHORITY to the Director for Place and Prosperity, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Monitoring Officer to utilise a JCT Design & Build 2024 contract and enter into the necessary contracts and legal agreements keeping within the approved capital budget.   Design Revisions:   9.     APPROVED the suite of design revisions identified through the RIBA Stage 4 review, and set out in section 5.4, noting these can be accommodated within the approved current Capital Programme Budget.   10. NOTED progress made towards incorporating the LUF specified cultural outputs within the Stockyard and approve in principle the development of a Cultural Hub on the site and, working with Loughborough College and any other stakeholders and partners, approve the submission of any funding bids to relevant parties to secure further investment.   11. APPROVED the submission of any relevant Section 73 (variations) or reserved matters planning applications required to secure approved design changes.    12. DELEGATED AUTHORITY to the Director for Place and Prosperity in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Finance, Property and Resources to accommodate the design revisions within the overall budget profile and submit and manage all necessary planning applications and consents.   13. To accommodate design changes relating to car parking on the site, amend the previous decision to dispose of site 1b Scalford Road Car Park and instead APPROVED that it now be retained within the asset portfolio of the Council.   Operator Strategy:   14. NOTED the outcomes of the Operator Review and based on the comprehensive financial appraisal, approve the Operator Strategy to include the following:   14.1.             The Council would assume full and direct landlord responsibility for estate, maintenance and facilities management of the Stockyard site including the existing southern lease area (Appendix 9) which will transfer back to the Council’s operational responsibility at the conclusion of the lease in June 2027.   14.2.             The Council would procure specialist expertise for markets and events management and delegate authority to the Director for Place and Prosperity in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Finance, Property and Resources and Monitoring Officer, to enter into all necessary legal agreements, to support both current and future operations.   14.3.             The Council would procure subject matter expertise to support inward investment and marketing and promotional requirements and will develop Stockyard’s offer for future tenants.   14.4.             Note proposed resourcing arrangements and approve the process for the allocation of revenue budgets as set out in paragraph 10.1 to support the implementation of the Operator Strategy.   14.5.             Delegate authority to the Director for Place and Prosperity in consultation with the Director of Corporate Services and Monitoring Officer, to adjust and allocate revenue budgets for operational and preparatory activities (within the overall budget), procure and enter contracts for specialist expertise and services as required.

Date of Decision: December 17, 2025