Decision details

A decision on the preferred offer/proposal in respect of the Council’s existing portfolio of advertising billboard sites, and possible future new sites.

A decision on the preferred offer/proposal in respect of a new opportunity for 6 sheet advertising units within the city centre.

The Director of City Development submitted a report which invited the Board to award the preferred organisation with a licence, for a period of 10 years, for the purposes of operating the Council’s billboard site portfolio, along with development of new sites as proposed, subject to the required planning consents being granted. In addition, the report also sought approval to progress the preferred organisation to a further stage of development in respect of installing, operating and maintaining a portfolio of 6 sheet advertising units within the city centre for a period of 15 years, subject to necessary planning consents being secured.

Following consideration of Appendices 1(a) and 1(b) to the submitted report, designated as exempt from publication under the provisions of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4 (3), which was considered in private at the conclusion of the meeting, it was

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the submitted report, together with the work undertaken to realise advertising opportunities that could potentially deliver a significant increase in income to the Council, be noted.

(b)  That, as per exempt Appendix 1(a), approval be given to the preferred organisation to manage under licence the Council’s billboard site portfolio.

(c)  That, as per exempt Appendix 1(b), approval be given to the progression of the named organisation to a second stage of proposal refinement/development in respect of a city centre 6 sheet initiative.

(d)  That the Director of City Development be delegated the necessary authority to agree the final award of the city centre 6 sheet initiative.

(e)  That the following be noted:-

·  the stages required to implement the resolutions (above), as outlined within paragraphs 3.3.5 and 3.4.7 of the submitted report;

·  the proposed timescales for implementation of the resolutions, as outlined within paragraphs 3.3.5 and 3.4.7 of the submitted report; and

·  that the Head of Property Services will be responsible for the implementation of such matters.

All sites within the existing billboards portfolio have been previously granted planning consent.  New sites for both billboards and 6 sheet advertisements will require planning consent and therefore these will be consulted upon as per the planning process.

Executive Member for Development and the Economy, Ward Members, Highways, Planning, Finance, City Centre Management and other area stakeholders as required.