Decision Details

The arrival of HS2 into Birmingham city centre in 2029 is a once in a generation opportunity to drive growth in the city. In order to maximise the economic benefits the City Council launched the Curzon Masterplan in 2015, which included a number of ‘Big Moves’ to ensure the new HS2 Curzon Station delivered a world class design that maximises the connectivity for pedestrians and public transport in and around the station within a high-quality public realm environment.

On 18^th July 2019 the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) approved an Outline Business Case (OBC), awarding the City Council £26.172m of Enterprise Zone (EZ) funding to deliver the preferred option for enhancing public realm surrounding the new HS2 station, subject to the approval of a compliant Green Book Full Business Case (FBC). On 29^th October 2019, Cabinet subsequently approved the OBC budget of which £0.223m was earmarked for the development of the FBC.

HS2 have since revised their procurement strategy which means further initial work is required to define scheme costs as part of Stage 1 of HS2’s contractor procurement which has increased the development budget to £0.551m. This report seeks approval to accept a capital grant from GBSLEP to be undertaken with HS2’s main works contractor during Stage 1, which will provide greater level of assurance of costs to be included in the FBC. The change is contained within the approved value of £22.885m. The FBC is due to be submitted to the GBSLEP for Independent Technical Review at the end of January 2022.

HS2 Curzon Station Enhanced Public Realm Project – Cabinet 29^th October 2019

HS2 Station Public Realm Programme and Curzon Station Metro Stop – Cabinet 13th September 2017

Curzon Masterplan 2014

Curzon Investment Plan 2016

EZ Investment Plan 2019

On the 17 February 2022 the Leader and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources:-

1.   Accepted a capital grant from the GBSLEP for £0.551m development funding for the Curzon Public Realm project as set-out within the attached change request approval letter 20 October 2021 at Appendix 1 to the report. The funding will support further detailed work being undertaken at Stage 1 of HS2 Ltd’s main works contract, which will provide further cost assurance prior to a FBC being presented to GBSLEP and Cabinet;

2.   In its role as Accountable Body for the GBSLEP, approved City Council Prudential Borrowing of up to £0.551m to fund the development of the HS2 Birmingham Curzon Station Enhanced Public Realm project;

3.   Noted that the £0.551m forms part of the overall commission with HS2 for up to £22.885m of works as authorised under the Cabinet report dated 29th October 2019 but subject to FBC approval to the deliver the HS2 Birmingham Curzon Station Enhanced Public Realm project; and

4.   Authorised the Acting City Solicitor to negotiate, execute, seal and complete all necessary documents in connection with the above recommendations.

NB: THE DEADLINE FOR CALL IN IS TUESDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2022 AT 1600 HOURS.