Approval for the County Council to enter into legal agreements, as necessary, with Dover District Council for the County Council to act as the delivery partner for the Infrastructure Works associated with the Market Square project. The approval shall include the following:
i) Approval to enter into legal agreements with Dover District Council to undertake the delivery of the Infrastructure Works at no cost or risk to the County Council.
ii) Approval for KCC officers to project manage, input into the delivery and supervision of the project, with the cost of all staff and consultant time being recoverable against the project funding.
iii) Approval to complete the detailed design for the project. This work will be undertaken by a design consultant appointed through the Medway Professional Services Framework Contract.
iv) Approval to progress all consents required for the scheme including Traffic Regulation Orders.
v) Approval to enter into construction contracts as necessary for the delivery of the scheme subject to the approval of the recommended procurement strategy.
vi) Approval for any further decisions required to allow the scheme to proceed through to delivery to be taken by the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment & Transport under the Officer Scheme of Delegations following prior consultation with the Cabinet Member.
Reason for the decision
Dover District Council (DDC) have been successful in a funding bid to MHCLG via the Coastal Communities Fund for the delivery of a public realm improvement project within the Market Square area of the Town Centre. DDC do not have the in-house resources to deliver a highway project of this scale and have asked KCC to deliver the project on their behalf.
Background – Provide brief additional context
The aim of the Market Square project is to provide a high-quality public realm scheme. To encourage local growth, provide a safer, more attractive environment for pedestrians, businesses, and residents. Repurposing Dover’s historic Market Square as a hub connecting the local community and tourists alike and to create a multipurpose events space, through providing safer crossing points and increased footway widths for pedestrians, strengthen connections to the St James development, manage the impacts on traffic and improve drop off / pick up logistics for buses and coaches. A key aspect of the project is the replacement of the existing redundant fountain with a new water misting feature.
Options (other options considered but discarded)
The proposed design builds on the previous design developed by the Dover Town Team, and has evolved following ongoing engagement with DDC and the Dover Town Team and meets the requirements of the funding bid by DDC.
How the proposed decision meets the objectives of ‘Increasing Opportunities, Improving Outcomes: Kent County Council’s Strategic Statement (2015-2020)’
The scheme has a strong fit with the objectives of ‘Increasing Opportunities, Improving Outcomes: Kent County Council’s Strategic Statement (2015-2020)’.
The scheme particularly supports Strategic Outcome 2
· Kent communities feel the benefits of economic growth by being in work, healthy and enjoying a good quality of life
· Kent residents enjoy a good quality of life, and more people benefit from greater social, cultural, and sporting opportunities
· Kent’s physical and natural environment is protected, enhanced, and enjoyed by residents and visitors
The public realm scheme is seen as an opportunity to improve a key focal point for the town centre, draw in additional visitors and to provide a boost to the local economy.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure or savings of more than £1m;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: Dover Town;
Notice of proposed decision first published: 04/01/2021
Decision due: Not before 2nd Feb 2021 by Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport
Reason: To enable the proposed decision to be on the FED for 28 days
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport
Lead director: Simon Jones
Department: Growth, Environment & Transport
Contact: Barry Stiff, Project Manager, Major Projects 03000 419377 Email: barry.stiff@kent.gov.uk Tel: 03000 419377.
Consultees
Public consultation was carried out by the
Dover Town Team on an earlier iteration of this project as part of
the funding bid but engagement of the current design proposals,
which is being led by DDC, is currently being programmed to be
carried out in January 2021.
The Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee willl consider the
proposed decisin at its meeting on attend the meeting on 19 January
2021 and its views and recommendations on the proposed scheme will
inform the decision requested of KCC’s Cabinet Member for
Highways and Transport
The views of local members have been sought. Nigel Collor is
actively engaged with the project in his capacity as Portfolio
Holder for Transport and Licensing at DDC.
Financial implications: The overall estimated cost of the project is £2.94m, which is fully funded by DDC through the successful Coastal Communities Fund bid of £2.44m and a match funding contribution of £0.5m by DDC. The funding has already been drawn down by DDC, and KCC will invoice DDC monthly for costs incurred. DDC have accepted that for KCC to provide the resources to deliver the project, there will be no financial cost or risk to KCC. This will be reflected in the legal agreement between KCC and DDC
Legal implications: There are no legal implications associated with this scheme. Invicta Law will draft the legal agreement, and will be completed, subject to receiving a Key Decision
Equalities implications: Equalities implications - An EQIA assessment is currently being undertaken and will be available for publishing alongside the ROD and Decision Report. Data Protection implications - The requirements of the KCC’s Data Protection Impact Assessment Policy and Guidance document dated 12 November 2019 has been reviewed and the project does not meet the requirements for a DPIA. However, during the life of the project, this will be continuously assessed and if required a DPIA will be carried out.