Agenda and minutes

The Chair will welcome attendees to the meeting and make opening remarks.

The Chair welcomed all to the meeting. The meeting was recorded as quorate. 

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received by the following board members: -

·       Glynis Tomlinson – West Midlands Police

·       Leona Bird – SCVO

·       Laura Rollins – SMBC Cabinet Member

·       Nicola Richards – MP West Bromwich East Constituency

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 9 November 2023 as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 November 2023 were approved as a correct record. Please see attached West Bromwich Town Deal Board Action Log for updates.

To receive any declarations of interest from board members relating to any item on the agenda.

None Declarations of Interests were forthcoming.

To receive an update on:

·       Board Membership

·       Scrutiny

Board Membership

As per the Terms of Reference, it is a requirement to review Town Deal Board membership annually. A number of members have been highlighted as having less than 50% attendance and were contacted to determine whether they would like to remain as a board member or if they wish to send an alternative representative.

A summary of responses was shared with those in attendance. As a result of the summary of responses, the Chair confirmed the removal of representatives from SIPS and asked the Programme Management Team to liaise with Sandwell Leisure Trust to confirm their representative for the Town Deal Board.

Action: Programme Management Office to contact Sandwell Leisure Trust (MW) to confirm details of their representative.

Scrutiny

Project Reports are presented to Sandwell Councils Scrutiny on a quarterly basis. At the recent Scrutiny meeting held on 8 February 2024, information was shared regarding Towns Fund project progress, high rag rated risks and budget pressures. In addition, detail of what action is in place to mitigate risks and what work has been undertaken to seek alternative funding where required.

To receive an update on project progress and monitoring information for the period of Oct 23 – December 2023

Project updates from:

Town Hall Quarter – Luke Dove

Retail Diversification Project – Alex Oxley

Town Hall Quarter

An updated was presented by the project lead. Since the last Board meeting, the stage 4 costing has been completed and a contractor has been appointed to complete the restoration works. They have been on-site since November 2023 and have a target completion date of 28 November 2024. Some works have been omitted and added to ensure the project remains in budget and as per timescale delivery plan. The new front entrance ramp has been omitted, but there still ground level access at the rear. If funds allow, this can be re-introduced at a later stage.

The asbestos on the chimney was queried by a member. The project lead confirmed it is being managed by the contractors. They are awaiting feasibility surveys to determine the extent of the asbestos. The project lead advised they would provide an update at the next board.

It was also asked if there are any tenants in situ whilst works are ongoing. It was confirmed there are tenants in the building and they have been accommodated. Additionally, there are no extra tenants lined up, but future plans will welcome any new tenants once the music venue/ hub is operational.

A board member requested further information about the future usage of the Town Hall once the works are completed. The project team advised they would collate the information and feedback to board members.

Action: Information on the extent of asbestos found at the Town Hall to be shared with Board Members.

Action: Information on the future use of the Town Hall to be shared with Board Members.

Retail Diversification Project

Indoor Market

At the last Board meeting, members were informed the council terminated the contract with the chosen contractor. Since then, a revised stage 4 cost plan was undertaken in November 2023. This revised cost plan will form the basis of a re-tendering exercise. The revised cost plan has come back within budget. A design team was procured in December 2023 and have been scrutinising design engineering. Members were assured redesign wasn’t with the fundamental design but more so interior i.e. door position, internal logistics etc.. The technical drawings are being revised as the existing cost plan cannot be presented to the market for the tendering exercise.

The project team are currently looking to present a report at the March Cabinet meeting to ratify the additional funding required. Subject to approval, the project would go out to tender in March/ April 2024, a contractor to be appointed in June 2024, be on-site in July 2024 and complete during Q1 2025.

Market traders have been liaised with and they have been understanding of the decisions taken.

Concerns were raised by Board Members regarding the contractor that was chosen to not proceed with Indoor Market works, as they are the lead contractor on other Towns Fund Projects. The project lead commented that as a contractor they have a good track record of delivering projects across the Midlands and the Country, and don’t have the same  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

To receive update on the forward plans:

·       Press release/publicity

·       Site visits

The Press Release and Media Forward Plan was shared with Board Members as part of the agenda pack. This included: -

·     Upcoming ceremony for Central St Michaels Sandwell Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Centre in March.

·     There are workshops planned by Multistory as part of the Cultural Programme for Urban Greening.

The following Press releases will be planned for the following milestones: -

·      Acquisition of the former Wilko site once confirmed

·      Town Hall Quarter in mid-year on current progress

Board Members were reminded to contact the Programme Management Office if they have any questions/ queries or if they’d like to have a site visit arranged.

None were forthcoming.

Chair thanked all and closed the meeting at 12:25.