Decision details

To consider a full business case for the preferred option of artificial sports pitches on the site of the former sports centre, including associated capital and revenue costs and benefits.

* RESOLVED –

1.   That the report and recommendations of the Enterprise and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee be received with thanks, and that the contributions of the Scrutiny Project Group as part of the pre-decision scrutiny process be noted, and their offer of continued engagement during the implementation stage be agreed.

2.   That the business case for providing an artificial sports pitch within the footprint of the site of the former Queen’s Park sports centre, be endorsed.

3.   That the preferred option, as detailed in the business case, be approved in principle noting that this approval will remain subject to the outcome of the heritage assessment that is currently being undertaken.

4.   That the work being carried out to prepare and submit a planning application for the preferred option, be noted.

That the Cabinet recommends to the full Council that:

5.   Approval be given to the proposed allocation within the capital programme, as set out in Section 7 of the officer’s report, to cover the capital investment required for the preferred option and endorse the work underway to reduce costs and maximise contributions from other funding sources.

6.   Approval be given to the inclusion of the revised income and expenditure figures for the new facility within the budget setting process for 2018/19 and beyond, in line with the estimates set out in the business case.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

The recommendations support a preferred option that offers the best mix of enhancing the heritage value of the park whilst also providing new sports facilities that can bring a revenue return to the Council.