URL: https://democracy.darlington.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1969

Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: The Cabinet Member with the Economy Portfolio introduced the report (previously circulated) of the Executive Director of Economy and Public Protection and Chief Officers Executive to seek Cabinet’s approval to progress the delivery of the STEM Centre by allocating Site D of the Science Park for the development of the STEM Centre, approving an allocation of £180k from the Council’s investment fund to enable the project plans to be developed up to RIBA Stage 2 in preparation for the planning approval process and commissioning CityHeart the Councils development partner to deliver the scheme.   The report explained that in July 2025 Cabinet approved the appointment of the CityHeart consortium as its preferred development partner, it also included CityHeart’s partnership’s role to oversee the property development process. It stated that the partnership was designed to enable the Council to deliver its economic growth-related priorities, the partnership has agreed to include the STEM Centre as an additional site subject to Cabinet agreement.   The report detailed that since completion of the procurement exercise CityHeart and the Council have engaged in detailed dialogue to agree the content of the development agreement and it is now ready for approval and implementation on a phased basis. It was also explained that since October 2025 the Council and key partners including Darlington College had been in dialogue with the department of Business and Trade to discuss the potential to establish a STEM Centre in Darlington.   The report outlined how a feasibility study for the STEM Centre identified a full project cost of £21m to deliver the project, in November 2025 the Neighbourhood Board agreed a £5m capital grant funding allocation for the project. Also, on 26 November 2026 the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that a capital grant allocation from the Growth Mission Fund for £16m to enable the project to proceed, fully funded, subject to the completion of a Green Book complaint full business case.   RESOLVED  - It was recommended that: -   (a)    Cabinet approved the allocation of Council’s Site D on the Science Park for the development of the STEM Centre. The details of the site disposal will be subject to a future Cabinet decision once the full business case for the STEM Centre is complete.   (b)   Cabinet approved an allocation of £180k from the investment fund to enable the completion of the necessary professional services works and engagement with the construction market to bring the project plans up to RIBA Stage 2 in preparation for the planning process.   (c)    Cabinet gave delegated approval to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Resources, to commission the CityHeart partnership to deliver the STEM Centre by incorporating the Council’s Science Park Site D as an additional site in the CityHeart Development Agreement. Release of the funding for the STEM Centre of £21m, (£16m Government Growth Mission funding and £5m Pride in Place as outlined in paragraph 37) is subject to the completion, and approval, of the full business case and subsequent grant confirmation.   (d)   Cabinet gave delegated approval to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Resources, to enter into the overarching development agreement with CityHeart to enable the accelerated delivery of the STEM Centre in line with the Government’s grant funding requirements. This approval is confined to the Science Park Site D, and the construction of the Centre is subject to approval for the full business case for grant funding. All other CityHeart site developments are subject to Cabinet approval for each site prior to any development taking place.   REASON - The recommendations are supported by the following reasons: -   (a)    The recommendations have been brought forward to facilitate the Government’s desire to deliver the STEM Centre, in terms of design and planning approval, construction and operation at an accelerated pace. This is an explicit and non-negotiable requirement of the grant funding. Any departure from this arrangement could put the grant allocation at risk.   (b)   The release of the Government’s grant funding was dependent upon the completion of Green Book full business case and ministerial sign off. Deliverability is a significant consideration of the business case and commissioning the CityHeart partnership to deliver the project provides the assurances Government require for sign off in March 2026 and the release of the grant funding in April 2026.    

Date of Decision: March 3, 2026