Agenda item

To review the current operation and business model of The Bottle Yard Studios and consider proposals for its future.

In relation to recommendation 1, the Committee RESOLVED (5 members voting in favour, and 3 against):

To approve the proposal to identify a purchaser of the long leasehold interest of The Bottle Yard Studios.

Note:

The report included a second recommendation as follows:

Recommendation 2: That the Committee authorises the Executive Director for Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Leader, Director of Finance and the Director of Legal Services, to settle the terms of disposal and negotiate (as necessary) the final terms of contract, subject to any condition or requirements set by the Committee.

A decision on recommendation 2 was not reached/taken at the meeting.  The meeting was adjourned on the basis that the committee could reconvene to consider this matter further.

Note: this item was taken as the last item of business at the meeting.

The Committee considered a report (agenda item 12) reviewing the current operation and business model of The Bottle Yard Studios and proposals for its future.

It was noted that this was a key decision report, as the proposed decision had a significant impact on 2 or more wards.  It was also noted that the report included exempt appendices.

As per his declaration of interest earlier at the meeting (at agenda item 3), Cllr Renhard left the meeting and did not participate in this item of business.

Summary of main points raised/noted in discussion of this item:

1. Cllrs King and Rippington stated that they had not been able to attend briefings on this matter; they also indicated that, in their view, they did not have sufficient information available to them at this meeting to take a decision.

2. It was noted that the report at this stage proposed to identify a purchaser of the long leasehold interest. It was also proposed that this transaction would only be confirmed if, after careful consideration and due diligence, it was confirmed that such changes would improve the potential of The Bottle Yard Studios’ continued success as a film and TV production facility.

3. It was noted that the report had been prepared in accordance with the Council’s decision pathway process and procedures, and that a number of briefings had previously been offered and given to councillors.

Following discussion, the Chair moved recommendation 1 as set out in the report.  This was seconded by Cllr Classick.

The Committee then RESOLVED (5 members voting in favour, and 3 against):

To approve the proposal to identify a purchaser of the long leasehold interest of The Bottle Yard Studios.

It was noted that the report included a second recommendation as follows:

Recommendation 2: That the Committee authorises the Executive Director for Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Leader, Director of Finance and the Director of Legal Services, to settle the terms of disposal and negotiate (as necessary) the final terms of contract, subject to any condition or requirements set by the Committee.

A decision on recommendation 2 was not reached/taken at the meeting.

It was agreed instead that the meeting should be adjourned on the basis that the committee could then potentially reconvene to consider this matter further.  In the meantime, officers would arrange additional briefings for members. 

[Note: the meeting was adjourned at 4.42 pm, this item having been taken as the last item of business]