Agenda item - Use of former Queen's Park Sports Centre site

- Report to follow.

* 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.

Councillor Simmons, Scrutiny Project Group Leader, presented the report and findings of the Enterprise and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee on the Future Use of Former Queen’s Park Sports Centre Site. The report was attached at Appendix B to the officer’s report.

It was reported that the Scrutiny Project Group had considered the feasibility of operating an ice rink on the site, following on from the petition presented to Council in February 2017 (Minute No. 81, Council 2016/17), determining that it would not be financially sustainable to progress such a development on the site.

Councillor Sarvent, Chair of the Enterprise and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee, noted that the activity and progress of the Scrutiny Project Group had been reported on a regular basis to the Committee, to ensure that the Council’s Scrutiny Procedures were adhered to.

The Cabinet thanked Councillors Simmons and Sarvent for attending, and noted the hard work and effort of all scrutiny members throughout the process.

The Executive Director, Michael Rich, then presented a report recommending that the Cabinet approves and supports the development of an artificial sports pitch on the site of the former Queen’s Park Sports Centre.

It was reported that FMG consultants had been retained to develop a full business case for the preferred option, as set out at Appendix 1 to the officer’s report, and prepare a planning application. It was noted that the planning application was expected to be submitted in early 2018.

The Cabinet were advised that a range of internal and external financing arrangements were to be explored, to ensure that the Council achieves the most resource-beneficial outcome.