Purpose

The report seeks approval to
progress the project to the end of RIBA 4 and the funding required
to do so.

Decision

RESOLVED
that Cabinet:
 
(i)           
Note the progress made since the last update to
Cabinet in April 2025 when the project reached a key gateway,
completion of RIBA Stage 2 (Concept Design) including appointment
of a main contractor for the next stage of design and issue of the
latest cost plan;

 
(ii)         
Note the latest cost estimates for the scheme as
outlined in Section 3.1 (Financial & Risk) and the key drivers
for the increase;
 
(iii)        
Approve the allocation of an additional
£3.160m in funding from the Council’s Capital Programme
to support the completion of RIBA Stages 3 (Spatial Coordination)
and 4 (Technical Design), associated works and costs outlined in
Section 3; and
 
(iv)        
Note that a report is to be brought back to Cabinet
at the end of RIBA Stage 3, to present detail of the developed
design and robust cost plan.