Issue - meetings

AGREED that Cabinet:

a)      expresses its disappointment with the lack of progress, since19 December, to transfer the land from Southwell Leisure Centre Trust to the Council;

b)      confirms its continued commitment to invest £5.5m in the development of a new swimming facility and not to repair the current pool;

c)      confirms that the investment referred to in recommendation (b) above is subject to the freehold transfer of all land currently in the ownership of Southwell Leisure Centre Trust, it being noted that this would be subject to the agreement of the Charity Commission and for the legal agreement to include a covenant to restrict the use of the land transferred for the provision of leisure services;

d)      requests Southwell Leisure Centre Trust to agree to make a joint submission to the Charity Commission to propose the freehold disposal of all designated land in its ownership in return for the Council’s £5.5m investment in a new pool and an estimated £740,000 investment in the “dry side”, on the grounds that this is in the best interests of the beneficiaries of the charity and to enable the charity to meet its charitable objectives; and

e)      in order to avoid abortive work and costs, officers freeze any further work on the provision of a new pool until Southwell Leisure Centre Trust provide written agreement to (d) above. If and when agreement is reached the Council will commit to a 24 month project programme which will be shared with relevant stakeholders.

The Leader and Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Performance & Finance presented a report which provided the Cabinet with an update on progress and proposed next steps towards the development of a new swimming facility at Southwell Leisure Centre. The decision taken by the Cabinet at their meeting held on 19 December 2023 to provide a replacement learner and main pool had not changed, however, agreement to land transfer had not yet been confirmed by the Southwell Leisure Centre Trust. This was further complicated given the approval of the Charity Commission was required and complications with landlord / tenant lease relationship which existed.  The Chief Executive referred to further correspondence received from the Southwell Leisure Centre Trust earlier in the day, which reflected the recommendations considered by the Cabinet.

AGREED (unanimously) that Cabinet:

a)         expresses its disappointment with the lack of progress, since19 December, to transfer the land from Southwell Leisure Centre Trust to the Council;

b)         confirms its continued commitment to invest £5.5m in the development of a new swimming facility and not to repair the current pool;

c)          confirms that the investment referred to in recommendation (b) above is subject to the freehold transfer of all land currently in the ownership of Southwell Leisure Centre Trust, it being noted that this would be subject to the agreement of the Charity Commission and for the legal agreement to include a covenant to restrict the use of the land transferred for the provision of leisure services;

d)         requests Southwell Leisure Centre Trust to agree to make a joint submission to the Charity Commission to propose the freehold disposal of all designated land in its ownership in return for the Council’s £5.5m investment in a new pool and an estimated £740,000 investment in the “dry side”, on the grounds that this is in the best interests of the beneficiaries of the charity and to enable the charity to meet its charitable objectives; and

e)         in order to avoid abortive work and costs, officers freeze any further work on the provision of a new pool until Southwell Leisure Centre Trust provide written agreement to (d) above. If and when agreement is reached the Council will commit to a 24 month project programme which will be shared with relevant stakeholders.

Reasons for Decision:

To progress and expedite the provision of a replacement swimming facility at Southwell.

Options Considered:

Three other options have already been discounted and covered in the report to Cabinet dated 19 December 2023; “Do nothing” and leave Southwell without a swimming facility, sleeve the pipework which was considered not to be viable and line the pool at a cost of £645,435.