Further to Minute 114 of the meeting held on 10 April 2017, the Director of Environment and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report setting out a proposal to extend the community hubs programme to include a scheme to improve Sun Street Youth and Community Centre, and enable the centre to operate as a Children’s Centre hub as agreed through the recent Children’s Centre public consultation.

The report explained that the plans were to undertake internal space alterations and reconfiguration to the centre to enable a full range of Children’s Centre services to be provided and enhance the building for future community use. This included a training room and crèche room for adult education classes, accommodation for health visiting and maternity services and improvements to enhance the functionality of the centre.  The scheme cost was currently estimated at up to £280k, and this would be funded from unused contingency and other savings achieved within the overall budget of £2m capital funding for the Community Hubs build programme.

Resolved –

(1)     That the improvement works to Sun Street Youth and Community Centre of £280k be approved for inclusion within the overall Community Hubs programme and budget of up to £2m;

(2)     That the procurement proposals be noted and, subject to the proposed developments gaining the relevant permissions, the Head of Housing and Neighbourhood Services, in consultation with the Lead Councillors for Neighbourhoods & Communities and Children, be authorised to enter into contracts with the winning bidder for this scheme.