To receive an update on the redevelopment of Dunstable Leisure Centre and Library and to seek approval for additional capital expenditure.

RECOMMENDED to Council

That an additional £3.519m be allocated to implement the redevelopment of Dunstable Leisure Centre and Library in accordance with the revised option 7.  (Note: this additional expenditure is included within the Capital Programme being recommended to Council elsewhere on this agenda).

RESOLVED

That officers actively seek to meet the additional £3.519m requirement through new sources of funding or from within the existing capital budget in order to create no net increase in capital requirements during the period of the plan.

The Executive received a report of the Executive Member for Community

Services setting out revised proposals for the re-development of the Dunstable leisure centre and library.

The report also sought approval for additional capital expenditure.

The Executive had considered  the re-provision of the leisure centre services and library in February 2015, and in August 2015 had authorised the procurement of a building contractor.

Preparations for the procurement of a building contractor had concluded that

a gross budget of £15.6m would be insufficient to deliver the recommended

scheme due to  higher construction costs.

A summary of the available options had concluded that option 7  at a

gross cost of £20m would enable the Council’s objectives to be met.

The revised capital costs had been  accounted for within the report on the Capital Programme elsewhere on this agenda.

Reason for decision: Option 7 offered the most financially viable approach and would secure the delivery of leisure and library services. Additionally, further opportunities for regeneration would be created.

RECOMMENDED to Council

that an additional £3.519m be allocated to implement the redevelopment of Dunstable Leisure Centre and Library in accordance with the revised option 7.  (Note: this additional expenditure is included within the Capital Programme being recommended to Council elsewhere on this agenda.)

RESOLVED

that officers actively seek to meet the additional £3.519m requirement through new sources of funding or from within the existing capital budget, in order to create no net increase in capital requirements during the period of the plan.

To approve the procurement of a building contractor for the redevelopment of Dunstable Leisure Centre and delegate authority for the award of contract.

1.      That the procurement of a building contractor for the redevelopment of Dunstable Leisure Centre be approved.

2.      To authorise the Director of Community Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Corporate Resources and the Executive Member for Community Services, to award the contract.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Community Services that set out the procurement process for the redevelopment of Dunstable Leisure Centre.  The next step was to prepare for the procurement of a main contractor to undertake the necessary construction work. The new centre would become a hub of activities containing the library, swimming pool, extended health and fitness space, a new café and other facilities.  It would contribute to the regeneration of Dunstable.

The contract would be split into two stages, the first being the design of the new centre and the second being the building works required. A full consultation process would be carried out with Members, stakeholders, sports clubs, users of the current facilities, the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee and a final design would be submitted to the Executive in January 2016.  It was anticipated that the construction period would take place between October 2016 and November 2017.

In response to questions, the Executive Member for Community Services confirmed that a full programme of events, including consultation, would be published.  Discussions were taking place regarding alternative provision for when the existing premises would be closed during the redevelopment. The staffing and loss of income implications of the period during which the existing centre would be closed for building works would be addressed appropriately.

In response to a question, the Executive Member for Public Health confirmed that funding from Public Health was provided to services including those in Community Services help facilitate people living a healthier lifestyle.

Reason for decision:  To commence the procurement of a main contractor to ensure the project programme remains on tract for completion towards the end of 2017. 

RESOLVED

1.      that the procurement of a building contractor for the redevelopment of Dunstable Leisure Centre be approved; and

2.      to authorise the Director of Community Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Corporate Resources and the Executive Member for Community Services, to award the contract.