TAMAR BRIDGE AND TORPOINT FERRY JOINT COMMITTEE: 12 SEPTEMBER 2014

Minute 20 BRIDGE OFFICE DEVELOPMENT

Consequent upon the written report setting out a proposal and accompanying Business Case for the above project designed to meet operational and customer service requirements, enable an effective response to incidents and emergencies, and provide suitable facilities for the management of the Bridge and associated infrastructure, the General Manager gave a presentation of the proposal encompassing the core requirements, proposed building development, options appraisal, business case, risk analysis, capital and ongoing running costs, associated Heritage Lottery Fund project, benefits of the scheme and timescale.

A debate ensued, the main points of which were noted as follows:-

(i)	the proposal would significantly improve the resilience and security of the Bridge and should be supported;
(ii)	the scope of the proposed Interpretation Centre should be clarified. A broad based approach was more likely to be favourably received and attract grant funding, although it was noted that space was limited;
(iii)	current working conditions were unsatisfactory and constrained with concerns over general safety, and it was essential that the project proceeded;
(iv)	the project should be supported but would require approval from the joint authorities which were currently subject to major cutbacks. It was suggested that consideration be given to the partial use of reserves to help fund the scheme;
(v)	the proposed development would not directly affect the running costs of the joint authorities;
(vi)	opportunities for small scale commercial use of the site to generate revenue should be explored;
(vii)	it should be recognised that the undertaking would have no control over traffic and visitor numbers in relation to any commercial enterprise on the site;
(viii)	the proposed scheme would need to be justified to the public in a time of severe service reductions but should be approved in order to sustain and improve the resilience of the Bridge;
(ix)	it should be borne in mind that the joint undertaking was largely immune from the cutbacks being made in the joint authorities and that some staff throughout the two Councils were also working in less than ideal conditions;
(x)	the replacement of the existing portcacabins on the site with a more appropriate permanent building would hopefully be favourably received by the planning authority;
(xi)	other issues raised during the debate included the architect’s fees, size of the public toilets and ensuring the continuity of the Bridge operation during construction.

In answer to issues raised in debate, officers advised that:-

(i)	the limitations of the access would be a key factor in relation to the scope of the proposed Interpretation Centre. It was likely that visits would need to be managed through a booking system to ensure they occurred outside of peak hours. An initial approach to the Heritage Lottery Fund had been favourably received;
(ii)	access limitations would also constrain any commercial operation from the site but the General Manager offered to submit an update report to the next meeting in this regard. It was intended that the toilets would be open on a 24 hour basis but they would not be advertised as a service facility;
(iii)	other agencies had been approached with a view to occupying the site but there had been no firm expressions of interest;
(iv)	whilst there would inevitably be some disruption during construction, the project had been designed to ensure the efficiency of a continuing 24 hour operation.

Arising from consideration of the report and debate, it was proposed by Councillor Ellison, seconded by Councillor Austin, and unanimously

RECOMMENDED TO THE CABINETS AND FULL COUNCILS OF THE JOINT AUTHORITIES

That the Bridge Office Development project be added to the capital programme with a budget of £3.33 million.

RESOLVED That -

(1)	A provision of £15,000 be endorsed to appoint a consultant to develop and submit the Round 1 application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for an education/interpretation centre.
(2)	The report be noted and an updated report be brought to the next meeting.