Decision details

The report of the Deputy Chief Executive was submitted to consider the Business Case for enhancing facilities for the development of the new leisure complex and swimming pool. Members were also circulated the comments of Scrutiny Committee – Resources.

The Deputy Chief Executive advised Members of the revised figures for the additional offering.

At the invitation of the Leader, Councillor Bull, Chair of Scrutiny Committee – Resources addressed Executive to advise of the discussion that had taken place at its meeting on 29 July 2015. He thanked the Leader for attending and explaining how the leisure complex and swimming pool would be funded. A robust debate had taken place and Members had focused on the business case. The majority of Members supported the recommendation for the compelling business case to invest the additional £6m to provide an enhanced leisure complex and swimming pool; one Member had abstained from voting.

Members discussed the proposals whilst the majority of Members supported the compelling business case for the enhanced leisure complex and swimming pool, one Member raised concerns regarding the proposals.

The Leader commented that a new leisure complex with enhanced facilities would be seen as a great achievement for the city and at no extra cost to council tax payers.

RECOMMENDED to Council to acknowledge and approve:-

(1)                    that there was a compelling business case to invest an additional £6m to provide an enhanced leisure complex and swimming pool; and also 

(2)                    following the statement from the Leader of the Council, it was further recommended that the funding for the £26m should not result in an increase in the Council’s underlying debt, noting that £8m has already been set aside from New Homes Bonus and that a further £10m will be set aside from New Homes Bonus over the next five years, The additional £8m coming from Community Infrastructure Levy and capital receipts.  

(In accordance with Standing Order no.43, Councillor Leadbetter requested that his voting against this recommendation be recorded)