To consider recommendations from:

(i) the meeting of the Executive, 5 November 2013and answer questions asked under Rule No. 13.1.

(a)  Central Bedfordshire Draft Equality and Diversity Strategy 2013-16.

(Attached page 15)

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

(Attached page 17)

(ii) the meeting of the Executive, 27 November 2013 and answer questions   asked under Rule No. 13.1.

(c)  Roker Park, Stotfold.

(To follow )

(a)        Central Bedfordshire Draft Equality and Diversity Strategy 2013-16

The Council considered a recommendation from the meeting of the Executive held on 5 November 2013 concerning the draft Equality and Diversity Strategy 2013-16.  The Strategy had been refreshed in line with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 to enable the Council to continue to adopt a robust approach to equality issues across all of its activities.

RESOLVED

that the Draft Equality and Diversity Strategy for Central Bedfordshire be adopted.

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

Cllr Jamieson declared a personal interest upon this item as he is a member of Flitwick Leisure Centre.

The Council considered recommendations from the meeting of Executive held on 5 November 2013 concerning the implementation of the Leisure Facilities Strategy, including the findings of the Flitwick Leisure Centre invest to save feasibility study.

RESOLVED

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

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;

c)      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;

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

e)      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 their provision of an appropriate business case;

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

g)      that the redevelopment of Flitwick Leisure Centre be approved and the procurement of a building contractor be undertaken in accordance with the Council’s Code of Procurement Governance.

(c)        Roker Park Stotfold

The Council considered recommendations from the meeting of the Executive held on 27 November 2013 concerning the proposed release of a covenant restricting use of Roker Park, Stotfold, to enable Stotfold Town Council to sell the land and invest the proceeds in a new football ground/stadium at Arlesey Road.

RESOLVED

1.      that the Restrictive Use Covenant in favour of Central Bedfordshire Council on land known as Roker Park, Stotfold be released to enable Stotfold Town Council to dispose of the land for residential development on condition that:

(a)  the net proceeds of sale (enhanced value) be shared equally between Central Bedfordshire Council and Stotfold Town Council;

(b)  Stotfold Town Council will repay the outstanding loan of £537,000 owed to Central Bedfordshire Council from its share of the proceeds of sale; and

(c)  Stotfold Town Council would give an undertaking to use the balance of its share of the proceeds of sale to construct a new football ground/stadium off Arlesey Road, Stotfold.

2.      that Central Bedfordshire Council will make a contribution from its share of the proceeds of sale (up to a maximum of £500,000) to assist the Town Council to complete the construction of the new football ground/stadium on land off Arlesey Road, Stotfold; and

3.      that subject to resolutions 1 and 2 above, Central Bedfordshire Council will grant Stotfold Town Council a 99 year lease at a peppercorn rent of 24 acres of land off Arlesey Road, Stotfold to relocate the new football ground/stadium will be located.