This report seeks:

a)         To update on the refurbishment of the Magistrates Court and on progress with the two new business centre schemes.

b)         Approval to add the High House Production Park scheme to the capital programme and to increase the funding allocation for the Tilbury Riverside Business Centre.

c)         Delegated authority to procure design work at High House Production Park and contractors to construct both new schemes.

Councillor Richard Speight, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, introduced the report and informed Members that Thurrock was undergoing transformational change with one of most exciting Growth Programmes in the Country.

In introducing the report the Cabinet Member highlighted the following key points:

·         The Business Centres had two complementary objectives, the first being to offer high quality business space for local businesses and the other to allow the Regeneration team to generate an income to assist with meeting saving targets;

·         There were already two business centres open in Tilbury, the Riverside Business Centre and the Old Post Office in Grays, both of which were popular with local businesses and each had waiting lists;

·         The refurbishment of the Grays Magistrates Court was expected to complete in October 2015, which had created a great deal of interest with local businesses.

The Portfolio Holder further advised Members that the Council was looking to expand business units into the High House Production Park and was seeking Council approval along with £1.5 million of the Capital Programme to invest in business units as part of the development for the National College at the High House Production Park. He reported that this would be funded through borrowing and was expected to generate healthy revenue back to the Council, which was set out within the report.

Councillor Gledhill welcomed the report stating that it was good that the Council was investing in people. He further commented that this was the right thing to do, as to make money the Council had to invest money.

Councillor Coxshall enquired as to whether it would just be creative industries, similar to High House Production Park.

The Portfolio Holder for Regeneration responded by stating that he could not guarantee it, however it would make sense.

RESOLVED:

That Full Council:

1.         Note progress made with the Enterprise Units programme and the positive impact this will have on supporting business growth and job creation in the borough as well as supporting the Council’s savings programme.   

2.         Approve an addition of £1.5m to the Council’s capital programme for investment in Council owned commercial enterprise units as part of the National College building at High House Production Park.

3.         Grant in principle approval to underwrite up to £150,000 of the fundraising target for the National College project. Final approval to be subject to a report to Cabinet.