Agenda item

The Committee considered the report presented by the Business Manager – Housing and Safeguarding (as Project Manager), which provided the progress made in considering the options available for improving and sustaining leisure centre provision in Sherwood.  Members were asked to consider the contents of the report and the advice provided by the Council’s Section 151 Officer, in order to reach a decision on whether to progress with the project. 

Members were also provided with an additional recommendation to purchase land under delegated powers, to enable opportunities for a leisure hub light model to be explored in the future.

The report provided the Project Objective; Options; Proposals; Financial Appraisal; Equalities Implications and Section 151 Officers Financial Comments. 

The three options considered in the options appraisal which was appended to the report with the market analysis, were as follows:

·         Option 1: Stay the same – continue with fragmented offer in Sherwood.  This option has no financial implications and does not deliver the project objectives

·         Option 2: New Leisure Centre provision on land immediately in front of the Dukeries.  The estimated total cost of building a new Leisure Centre is just over £13m.  This is not considered to be affordable and does not provide the best value for money solution for the community.

·         Option 3: Dukeries improvement scheme and pool hall new build, at an estimated cost of £7.9m.

A Member commented that the ‘One Public Estate and Neighbourhood study in Ollerton’ had not been presented to the Committee.  The neighbourhood study had indicated the need for a wet provision in Ollerton.  It was felt that the financials in the report provided a poor outcome.  The projected income for the Leisure Centre was debated and it was commented that due to the implications of the report it would appear that a Leisure Centre or swimming pool would never be built in Sherwood due to a 6% return being required.  It was commented that leisure facilities would not be provided in more deprived areas, just affluent area as that was where they provided a return.  It was commented that a swimming pool would be beneficial for this area and would turn the leisure provision around.

The Business Manager – Housing and Safeguarding confirmed that an update report regarding the One Public Estate work was presented to the Homes and Communities Committee on 11 June 2018.

The Managing Director – Active4Today, confirmed that a realistic business plan was compiled, which projected an improved revenue return of £75,000.  He commented that the Newark Sports and Fitness Centre was a success story, which had been received well by the public.

The Director – Customers commented that the contingency for the proposed pool was 12%, which accurately presented the financial risks at this early stage.  There would be challenges in linking the proposed new build with the existing Dukeries Leisure Centre.  A professional cost consultancy company had been commissioned to undertake work regarding the linking of the buildings.  The revenue return for this project would require an £8million investment from Council reserves and the Section 151 Officers comments were reiterated to Members.

A Member commented that the Ollerton Neighbourhood study had indicated their preferred option was outdoor facilities rather than a swimming pool.  Outdoor provision could be provided through the investment of £75,000 for the land in front of the present leisure centre and would provide the outdoor facilities that the community had requested. 

A Member commented that if the outdoor facilities were pursued it was unlikely that the Council would invest in a new leisure centre in the future, for a deprived section of the community.

The Chairman commented that he was mindful of the Section 151 Officer’s comments and whilst it would be good to have a swimming and sports facility at Ollerton like that in Newark, it was not the right time to deliver that provision.  He felt that the outdoor provision for sports would be beneficial and that the land should be obtained from Nottinghamshire County Council to improve facilities for the local community.

The Chairman took Recommendation (a) and (b) separately.  A vote was taken for recommendation (a) as follows with a recommendation to the Policy and Finance Committee:

AGREED           (with 7 votes For and 3 votes Against) that a recommendation be                           submitted to the 28 June 2018, Policy and Finance Committee,                                   informing the Committee that the Leisure and Environment                           Committee have taken the Section 151 Officer’s advice not to                                progress at the present time with Option 3, which would incur further                   costs to the Council of £250,000; and

A vote was taken for recommendation (b) with a recommendation to the Policy and Finance Committee as follows. 

AGREED          (with 7 votes For and 3 Abstentions (the three Members abstained as they recognised that there was potential in supporting the proposal however would prefer Option A)) that a recommendation be submitted to the 28 June 2018, Policy and Finance Committee, to approve appropriate land transactions with Nottinghamshire County Council and the Dukeries Academy under delegated powers to the Director – Customers, to support the development of sports hub light model linked to the Ollerton and Boughton Neighbourhood Study.