Agenda item

Agenda item

Implementation of the Leisure Facilities Strategy, including findings of the Flitwick Leisure Centre Invest to Save Feasibility Study

 

A report on implementation of the Leisure Facilities Strategy, including the findings of the Flitwick Leisure Centre invest to save feasibility study.  The report recommends redevelopment of Flitwick Leisure Centre.

Decision:

1.      That Flitwick Leisure Centre redevelopment invest to save scheme be supported.

2.      RECOMMENDED to Council

a)        that a total gross expenditure budget of £11,925,000 is included in the capital programme in 2014/15 and 2015/16; and

b)        that the capital receipts arising from the disposal of surplus land adjoining the redevelopment Flitwick Leisure Centre be applied to reduce the Council’s prudential borrowing.

3.      That subject to approval by Council of recommendation in 2 above:

a)      that a virement in 2013/14 of £436,900 to the Flitwick Leisure Centre redevelopment invest to save scheme from an identified underspend in the 2013/14 £830,000 Leisure Strategy Implementation Invest to Save Project be approved;

b)      that the development of the Flitwick Football facility approved by Executive on 18 March 2013 will continue and the award of contract for the construction of a pavilion will be made in accordance with the Council’s Code of Procurement Governance be noted;

c)      that the grant of a lease at a peppercorn rent for the management and operation of the Flitwick football facility (including pitches and pavilion) for 25 years to Flitwick Eagles Football Club be approved, subject to them providing an appropriate business case;

d)      that a land exchange between Central Bedfordshire Council and Flitwick Town Council to facilitate the redevelopment of Flitwick Leisure Centre be approved; and

e)      that in accordance with the Council’s Code of Procurement Governance approve the procurement of a building contractor to redevelop Flitwick Leisure Centre.

 

Minutes:

 

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Services concerning the implementation of the Leisure Facilities Strategy, including the findings of the Flitwick Leisure Centre invest to save feasibility study.  The independent feasibility study on the redevelopment of Flitwick Leisure Centre had been concluded, with a recommendation for a facility mix which was affordable whilst meeting public expectations of new and modern public sector leisure provision.

 

The current Flitwick Leisure Centre was not fit for purpose as it needed renovation and was unable to cope with increased demand emanating from  the increase in housing in Flitwick and the surrounding areas.

 

Members noted that the revised recommendations excluded the provision of meetings rooms in the proposed redevelopment of Flitwick Leisure Centre.

 

RESOLVED

 

that in accordance with Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act.

 

Members discussed the financial elements of the redevelopment of Flitwick Leisure Centre and the information that had been provided to the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

 

The Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Services moved a revised recommendation for 3 (c), which was duly seconded:-

 

‘that the grant of a lease at a peppercorn rent for the management and operation of the Flitwick football facility (including pitches and pavilion) for 25 years to Flitwick Eagles Football Club be approved, subject to them providing an appropriate business case.’

 

RESOLVED

 

to reopen the meeting to the Press and Public.

 

Reason for decision:  To enable the redevelopment of Flitwick Leisure Centre, a priority in the Leisure Facilities Strategy, to be delivered.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.      that Flitwick Leisure Centre redevelopment invest to save scheme be supported;

 

2.      RECOMMENDED to Council

 

a)        a total gross expenditure budget of £11,925,000 be included in the capital programme in 2014/15 and 2015/16; and

 

b)        that the capital receipts arising from the disposal of surplus land adjoining the redevelopment Flitwick Leisure Centre be applied to reduce the Council’s prudential borrowing.

 

3.      subject to approval by Council of recommendation in 2 above;

 

a)      that a virement in 2013/14 of £436,900 to the Flitwick Leisure Centre redevelopment invest to save scheme from an identified underspend in the 2013/14 £830,000 Leisure Strategy Implementation Invest to Save Project be approved;

 

b)      that the development of the Flitwick Football facility approved by Executive on 18 March 2013 would continue and the award of contract for the construction of a pavilion would be made in accordance with the Council’s Code of Procurement Governance be noted;

 

c)      that the grant of a lease at a peppercorn rent for the management and operation of the Flitwick football facility (including pitches and pavilion) for 25 years to Flitwick Eagles Football Club be approved, subject to them providing an appropriate business case;

 

d)      that a land exchange between Central Bedfordshire Council and Flitwick Town Council to facilitate the redevelopment of Flitwick Leisure Centre be approved; and

 

e)      that in accordance with the Council’s Code of Procurement Governance approve the procurement of a building contractor to redevelop Flitwick Leisure Centre.

 

 

Supporting documents: