Report to: Area Committee

Date of Meeting:

Subject: Arcade and Princess Diana Gardens

Report of: Alan , Director of Built Environment

Wards Affected: , , , , and Cambridge

Is this a Key Decision? No Is it included in the Forward Plan? No

Exempt/Confidential No

Purpose/Summary

This report is intended to update members on maintenance issues at Cambridge Arcade, and the adjacent Princess Diana Gardens, and provide details of options available to address these.

Recommendation(s)

It is recommended that the Committee:

1. Notes the contents of this report and confirms support for the proposals to address the most serious issues, particularly those having potential Health and Safety implications.

2. Provides guidance on the preferred course of action for wider improvements to Cambridge Arcade and Princess Diana Gardens.

How does the decision contribute to the Council’s Corporate Objectives?

Corporate Objective Positive Neutral Negative Impact Impact Impact 1 Creating a Learning Community X 2 Jobs and Prosperity X 3 Environmental Sustainability X 4 Health and Well-Being X 5 Children and Young People X 6 Creating Safe Communities X 7 Creating Inclusive Communities X 8 Improving the Quality of Council X Services and Strengthening Local Democracy

Reasons for the Recommendation: The recommendation is made in accordance with the Authorities constitution.

What will it cost and how will it be financed?

(A) Revenue Costs All costs associated with the proposals within this report can be met from existing revenue budget provisions.

(B) Capital Costs There are no direct Capital costs associated with the proposals within this report. In the event that development of proposals leads to consideration of Capital expenditure then a separate report will be provided.

Implications: The following implications of this proposal have been considered and where there are specific implications, these are set out below:

Legal: None

Human Resources None

Equality 1. No Equality Implication X

2. Equality Implications identified and mitigated

3. Equality Implication identified and risk remains

Impact on Service Delivery: Failure to address the identified priority works could have health and safety implications and / or will detract significantly from the use of the arcade and adjacent areas. In undertaking works to address non urgent, aesthetic issues the Council would increase the appeal of its vacant shop units to commercial operators

All works will be carried out in such a manner so as to ensure that the use of the arcade and gardens is not significantly affected.

What consultations have taken place on the proposals and when? The Head of Corporate Finance (FD2560) and Head of Corporate Legal Services (LD1865) have been consulted and any comments have been incorporated into the report.

Are there any other options available for consideration? All options have been explored within the main body of the report.

Implementation Date for the Decision Following the expiry of the “call-in” period for the Minutes of the meeting

Contact Officer: David Kay Tel: 0151 934 4527 Email: [email protected]

Background Papers: There are no background papers available for inspection.

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Cambridge Arcade is an adopted public thoroughfare providing access between Southport’s major shopping areas of Lord Street and Chapel Street. The arcade runs between Southport Town Hall and the Atkinson complex and links into Cambridge Walks. Although the Council owns the freehold for Cambridge Walks this is controlled by a third party commercial investor.

1.3 The Princess Diana Gardens are situated immediately to the front of the town hall / Atkinson sitting between this complex and Lord Street.

1.4 Cambridge Arcade and Princess Diana Gardens both sit within the Southport Conservation area but neither is listed.

1.5 Cambridge Arcade is not classified as an operational building and there is therefore no departmental repair and maintenance budget provision made for its upkeep; it is managed as part of the Council’s Corporate Other Property portfolio.

1.6 The Princess Diana Gardens are maintained through a combination of funding from the Highway and Parks and Open Spaces repairs and maintenance provision.

2.0 Background to Issues

2.1 During the course of the recent Southport Cultural Centre works, leading to the creation of the Atkinson complex, it was necessary to erect scaffolding through the glass roof of Cambridge Arcade.

2.2 Following completion of the Atkinson works, repairs were commenced to the roof with the intention of repairing all damaged or missing glazing. However, during the course of these works urgent defects to the roof structure itself were identified and addressed as an immediate priority.

2.3 Although the structure was rendered safe, and all of the major water ingress issues have been addressed, there was insufficient funding to complete all repairs and there are therefore still a number of damaged or missing glazing panels.

2.4 Aside from glazing there are a number of ongoing maintenance issues relating to the arcade - these range from general upkeep and the need to repair / replace guttering and lead work, through to aesthetic issues, particularly the need to remove of pigeon netting and thoroughly clean and paint all surfaces.

2.5 The Princess Diana Gardens are affected by cracked and uneven paving which is caused by the effect of tree roots and the impact of vehicular traffic. The area is inspected regularly in order to ensure that any potential trip hazards are identified and addressed. However, particularly in areas of heavy use, the appearance of the paving and the gardens overall is severely affected.

3.0 Proposals

3.1 Other than the existing repair and maintenance budgets there is no funding available with which to undertake improvement works to Cambridge Arcade or Princess Diana Gardens.

3.2 There are two issues causing concern to the users and tenants of Cambridge Arcade – these being the balance of broken or missing glazing panels which are unsightly and gives rise to occasional water ingress, and the general appearance and the need for aesthetic improvements as outlined in 2.4 above.

3.3 The replacement of the remaining broken or missing glazing panels must be a priority as this detracts from the use of the arcade and could lead to a potential future hazard - it is estimated that work to address these will cost in the region of £17,500. These costs can be met from existing budget provision and it is proposed that these works be programmed for completion prior to the forthcoming Christmas shopping period

3.4 Apart from the works outlined in 3.3 above, and any health and safety issues which may subsequently arise, there are no current proposals to carry out any further works relating to Cambridge Arcade or Princess Diana Gardens.

3.5 Members may wish to consider providing funding from delegated Southport Area Committee budgets and / or to promote a bid for funding from the Council’s future capital allocations in order to further proposals for improvements at Cambridge Arcade or Princess Diana Gardens

3.6 If Committee wish to pursue the potential for further additional works, o it will be necessary to commission a feasibility study to identify the priority issues, the options of how to address these and their cost. It is estimated that the cost for feasibility works for Cambridge Arcade and Princess Diana Gardens is £7,500 and £10,000 respectively.

Alan Lunt Director of the Built Environment