The Council have considered the remarks made in the Discussion on 13 July 2006 of the Third Report on the proposal for a new building project at West Cambridge (the East Forum) (Reporter, 2005-06, p. 857).
The Council have noted the strong expressions of support for the East Forum project made in the Discussion by Professor I. Leslie, Professor D. J. Maskell, Professor A. Hopper, and Mr R. Vorha, co-president of Cambridge University Entrepreneurs.
The Council have also noted the wish expressed by Professor A. Mycroft for the space within the William Gates Building which is currently occupied on a temporary basis by Intel and Cambridge Enterprise to be vacated as quickly as possible. The East Forum project will facilitate this.
Some speakers (Dr M. R. Clark, Mr D. J. Goode, Mr R. J. Dowling, Professor G. R. Evans, and Professor R. J. Anderson) expressed concerns about the proposed introduction into the West Cambridge site of office space to be let to commercial firms. Firstly, they felt that this might lead to undesirable commercial influence upon the University. Secondly, they feared that unduly special relationships might develop between Cambridge Enterprise and particular firms (such as accountants or venture capital firms) who are tenants of the Lettable Building.
The Council accept that these are important considerations, but believe that the proposed arrangements will minimize any such risks, that the risks will be manageable, and that overall the proposed arrangements will be advantageous to the University.
On the risk of undesirable commercial influence on the University, the Council note that there are many fruitful links between the University and commercial firms, for example in research funding, in research collaboration, and in technology transfer. The Council believe that the key to the success of these relationships is that they be properly set up and managed, regardless of whether the firms involved are geographically close to or distant from the University. The Council also note that there is good historical precedent for the geographical mingling of University and commercial activities, as has happened in the historic centre of Cambridge over the past several decades. It would be perverse indeed if such mingling was prevented on the West Cambridge Site.
On the risk that individual tenants of the Lettable Building might develop unduly close relationships with Cambridge Enterprise, the Council wish to emphasize that the Lettable Building will be a self-contained, free-standing building with its own reception and entry control. It will be adjacent to, but separated from, the Cambridge Enterprise Building. Tenants for the Lettable Building will be obtained by the Developer under normal commercial terms; they will not be selected by the University. It will be the duty of Cambridge Enterprise to build up effective and even-handed links with numerous professional service firms, regardless of where they are geographically located.
Mr. R. J. Dowling asked why proposals for the three buildings (Cambridge Enterprise Building, Café/Atrium, and Lettable Building) were brought forward in a single Report, and asked about the linkage between the three proposals. The buildings are adjacent and are to be built by the Developer as a whole; it is therefore appropriate for the Regent House to consider the total scheme. The proposed agreement with the Developer means that there will be financial benefit to the University in proceeding with the total scheme of three buildings. As stated in the Third Report the cost of the Café/Atrium is intended to be met wholly from the payment by the Developer for the lease on the site of the Lettable Building and from the Infrastructure Fund contribution which will be paid by the Donor as part of the cost of the Cambridge Enterprise Building.
Dr. N. A. Dodgson expressed a wish that a convenience store and an ATM (cash dispenser) be installed on the West Cambridge site as soon as possible. The Council understand that it has not yet proved possible to find a commercial basis for either of these, but that efforts to do so are continuing. The East Forum project will facilitate the provision of such services.
Professors Anderson and Mycroft commented on the current use of the Gates Building by Cambridge Enterprise. The Council are content that the use of the Gates Building by Cambridge Enterprise is consistent with both the spirit and letter of the agreement with the Gates Foundation which provided substantial funding for the building.
The Council are submitting a Grace to the Regent House (Grace 2, p. 70) for the approval of the recommendations in their Report to proceed with the East Forum project.