Council’s major projects on track
A report to Winchester City Council’s Cabinet (Major Projects) Committee in October 2016 shows that 11 out of 15 major projects - the Council’s most significant schemes - are on track to be delivered on time and on budget, bringing significant benefits to Winchester residents.
The St Clement’s Surgery replacement and the Chesil extra-care housing scheme that is due for completion in August 2017 are on target, and a new committee is now working to generate a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for the central Winchester regeneration of the Silver Hill area of the city.
New council home delivery throughout the district is progressing well with more than 160 homes either completed, on site or waiting for tender approval, and another 87 being prepared for planning permission.
Major development areas of Barton Farm, West of Waterlooville and North Whiteley are on track as is the Council’s Local Plan, flood protection schemes in the city and wider district, and town engineering projects in Winchester such as the Casson Block improvement.
Meanwhile important projects that will improve services are on track including the introduction of an electronic document management system, a new business transformation process to improve service delivery to the public, and a new environmental services contract.
For other major projects, the Council is currently restarting the process to seek an architect for redeveloping the Station Approach area of Winchester and a proposal to redevelop the Council’s City Offices.
The plan to replace the River Park Leisure Centre with new facilities at Winchester’s Bar End has been delayed by the process of appointing an architect but is expected to move forward by summer 2017. Another proposal to develop a creative enterprise centre at Bar End has been delayed by the withdrawal of a potential partner.
Cllr Stephen Godfrey, the Leader of Winchester City Council, said:
It is encouraging to see this progress on our major projects. The ups and downs of individual schemes can make it seem as if delay is common place, but this is the exception rather than the rule.
The City Council’s 45 members of all political parties have an important role to play in keeping the public in their wards informed of the genuine progress that is being made.
More information is available in the Cabinet (Major Projects) report CAB2850 at:
http://www.winchester.gov.uk/meetings/details/1611