That the Leader of the Council:
1) Notes the progress made to date on The Council’s delivery of the Heart of the City II development, including the establishment of 4,400 jobs out of a planned 7,000, economic activity to date of £0.9bn out of a planned £3.7bn and progress with increasing sustainability of development, reducing carbon emissions and increasing biodiversity.
a. to finalise terms with John Lewis and
b. Instruct the Director of Legal & Governance to complete all necessary legal documentation required to document the terms of the lease termination with John Lewis agreed in accordance with the approvals delegated pursuant to this report.
c. Instruct the Director of Legal & Governance to complete all other necessary legal documentation required to document the terms of all remaining tenancies for the various blocks within the scheme.
3) Notes the options for the John Lewis Building which will be concluded as part of the work on the City Centre Strategic Vision following public engagement including a full climate impact assessment.
4) Approves the proposal to retain Grosvenor House in the Heart of the City Development as part of the Council’s Commercial Estate until such time, through review of the real estate investment markets, that a disposal is appropriate to meet the Council’s budget requirements and with any disposal being in accordance with the Council’s disposal protocols and financial regulations.