VOTE: Chichester's big three projects to go ahead
Chichester District Council's 'big three' projects, costing millions of pounds, could soon all be poised to go ahead.
The executive board came down in favour of pressing ahead with the 8m redevelopment of Midhurst's Grange Centre, setting up a 3m cultural fund to support the Festival Theatre and the Pallant House Gallery, and the construction of a new 6m Roman baths museum in Chichester city centre.
Last month, the council's policy development committee proposed a priority order for the three schemes, with the Grange at the top and the museum at the bottom.
But the board is recommending the council to aim to carry out all three, although the finances of each will be subject to 'constant review'.
Director of finance David Grove said later that there was now a balanced capital programme, which was fully funded, and the relevance of the committee's ranking no longer came into play.
The board considered the overall financial position, and was given advice on affordability.
Mr Grove said during the meeting that if the financial position worsened, members could go back to the capital programme, and possibly make adjustments.
"Figures aren't set in stone," he asserted.
Chief executive John Marsland said the board had a list of preferential schemes.
"There is potentially sufficient funding to deal with these, but there needs to be very close control," he added.
Any scheme coming forward had to have a full business case.
This meant that if it was not committed, and the financial situation changed, there was an opportunity to stop the scheme.
During a debate on financial strategy, Cllr John Cherry, portfolio holder for resources, said the overriding point was the national economic situation.
"At the moment, we have not really started to feel the burden of repaying the enormous debt incurred by the Government," he said.
"Whichever party is in power after the election will have to introduce some fairly draconian measures."
Leader Cllr Myles Cullen said he did not think hair shirts and flagellation were the answer to the problems, and nor was pulling up the drawbridge.
"We can strive for our goals, and must not lose the wonderful vision for which we have been bold enough to aspire," he declared.
But now, more than ever, they must strive to ensure delivery of projects was at an affordable price.
Fear of failure must not be the overriding consideration, but none of us has a crystal ball," he said.
"Now, more than ever, there is a recognition of the uncertainty of the future."
The board heard the council had so far achieved some 2.6m towards a savings target of 3m over three years.
Mr Grove said this meant the council would balance the 2010-2011 budget, but further savings would be more difficult to achieve.
Have your say
What should the order of priority be for the district council?
The Roman baths museum, CFT and Pallant House or The Grange?
Vote for your choice in the panel to the right of the screen.
What do you think? Send a letter to news@chiobserver.co.uk or leave a comment below.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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