ADD333 Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Development Financial Advice

1.1 THFC’s investment in their state of the art new stadium redevelopment is a key catalyst for regeneration and change in north Tottenham. The scheme will deliver:

• A world class leisure destination for London promoting sports, health and well-being
• A 62,000 seat stadium that will be the biggest Premier League venue in London, as well as being able to host an NFL franchise and up to 50 event days a year
• Substantial, new high quality public realm that will become a focal point for community events and activities
• 700 new homes by 2021
• Around 20,000 sqm of commercial space delivering hundreds of new jobs

1.2 THFC will be submitting a revised planning application for the stadium development in September 2015. They are aiming to have an unencumbered planning consent by February 2016 to enable construction works to begin in March 2016 and to have completed the stadium development in time for the start of the 2018/19 season.

1.3 Given the significance of this scheme for the overall regeneration proposals the public sector needs to have detailed understanding of assurance about the robustness of THFC’s funding plans for the stadium scheme. So it is proposed to seek specialist financial advice to provide this; the proposed scope of this work is set out in the Appendix to this report.

2.1 The new stadium is a key element in the overall spatial plans for the area and its construction will include significant public realm elements as well as a major residential development, commercial and community uses. Delivery of the stadium would also play a significant role in increasing land values across the area to support investment and regeneration. Accordingly to plan effectively across the whole area and inform development of the housing zone proposals the GLA needs adequate understanding of the financial robustness of THFC’s stadium plans to provide assurance about the prospects for the public investments planned and to guide decisions about master-planning and development options.

2.2 The GLA now seeks to appoint suitably experienced financial advisers to assist in ensuring it has the advice and information it needs about THFC’s stadium plans. Initially the GLA wishes to commission a report analysing and appraising THFC’s proposals for financing the stadium development and whether they provide a sound and robust plan which will enable THFC to proceed with the development. Depending on the outcome of this analysis further phases of work may then be agreed.

2.3 A key outcome will be the assessment of the finances and economics of Premier League football clubs and major stadium developments as well as of residential and commercial development of the sort that will accompany the proposed THFC stadium development.

3.1 Prospective suppliers of services have been requested to ensure development and delivery of services complies with relevant Codes of Practice and in line with the requirements of the public sector equality duty to ensure that the following issues have been considered:
i) Project Proposals: Project proposals have been assessed in terms of accessibility to ensure the minimisation of disadvantages suffered by people who share a protected characteristic. age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, gender, religion or belief, sexual orientation.
ii) Documents and publications: all documents produced have been encouraged to comply with Mayor of London branding guidelines, it being based on guidance from the Royal National Institute of Blind People. Where possible accessible formats will be available.
iii) Events: any events associated with this work stream will be open to all and, where possible, we will encourage people who share a protected characteristic to participate in any activity in which their participation is disproportionately low.

4.1 At present approval is only being sought for further advice to support development of the proposals. More detailed analysis of risks and issues would be required before any consideration of proceeding with support for the proposals more widely.

4.2 The proposal was approved in principle at the 17th June 2015 IPB meeting.

5.1 Approval is being sought for expenditure of up to £50,000 to secure specialist financial advice on THFC’s stadium plans. This follows in principle IPB approval on 17 June 2015.

5.2 This expenditure can be met from the consultancy budget held by the Executive Director of Resources and an appropriate budget virement for this proposal will be made.

5.3 Depending on the outcome of this analysis further phases of work may then be agreed. This would be subject to further approval via the Authority’s decision-making process

The next steps following approval are summarised below: