Decision details

To receive an update on community site business planning and to seek approval to the amended ‘direction of travel’ in relation to community site and the cultural strategy.

(a)  That the business planning and option review executive summary appended to the report be noted,

(b)  That it be agreed that the £50,000 budget approved by Cabinet in June would be repurposed to progress feasibility studies and option appraisals associated with existing Slough Borough Council assets that have potential for enhanced cultural utility,

(c)  That it be agreed that retaining circa a sixth of the North West Quadrant site for a large cultural building was not a financial priority for the Council at this present time and officers should seek to achieve more with less through an activity led cultural investment strategy focussed on existing SBC assets; and

(d)  That it be agreed that the incorporation of Higher Education space and an innovation hub were still strategic priorities and that officers should seek their inclusion within the larger development project being promoted by North West Quadrant LLP which will now comprise the whole of the North West Quadrant site.