Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director (JY).

Please see link to further information

https://exeter.gov.uk/people-and-communities/communities/newtown-community-aspirations-report/

Place Scrutiny Committee had considered the report at its meeting on 31 January 2019 and its comments will be reported.

The Leader brought to Members’ attention an e-petition that would close on 25 February 2019 asking the Council to respect the recommendation of Place Scrutiny Committee held on 31 January 2019which supported the sale of the Clifton Hill site excluding the Ski Slope. The e-petitioner had been invited to present the petition at the meeting of Council on the 26 February 2019 when discussion would be welcome in accordance with the Council’s normal practice. He added that the Council had received a proposal to register the Ski Slope as an Asset of Community Value which was being processed and early indications were that the application was likely to be successful.

The Director (JY) had prepared an Equality Impact Assessment showing the potential impact of the recommendation to sell the site on people with protected characteristics within the 2010 Equalities Act. A copy had been circulated to Members and is attached to the minutes.

The City Surveyor circulated a supplementary report setting out advice following the recommendation by the Place Scrutiny Committee. The report advised on the potential impact of retaining the ski slope. It also set out the impact of green space exclusion and an approach to the designation and treatment of the green space to be accommodated within the development. The combined impact of green space exclusion and ski slope retention was also set out.

The Leader continued that he had taken on board the views of the community and fellow Councillors and, as a result, would be moving the following amendment to recommendation 2.2 (a):-

Delegate authority to the Director in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder and in liaison with the ward members and the City Surveyor to:

Identify and agree the area of green space to be retained by the council (comprising a minimum of 10% of the overall site area) in the current general location of the existing green space; and

agree a condition to be included in the Contract for Sale of the whole site requiring the purchaser to transfer back for a peppercorn the green space land identified and agreed in 2.2(a) above to the Council following service by the Council of a Notice requiring such transfer.

The Director (JY) presented the report providing an update on the interim Built Facilities plan agreed by Council in June 2018. The presentation is attached to the minutes. Members were updated on the original decision to sell the Clifton Hill Site, the options for the sale of Clifton Hill Site and the future investment in the existing built sport and leisure facilities. The report also set out the recommendation of the City Surveyor for the sale of the site of the Clifton Hill Sports Centre and the surrounding land owned by the Council.

Councillor Sills, having given notice under Standing Order No.44, spoke on this item. He wished to reinforce Members’ views expressed at Place Scrutiny Committee on 31 January 2019, and the pleas of the general public who had attended the meeting, as well  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21

To consider the report of the Director (JY).

Councillors Mrs. Thompson, Musgrave, Branston, N Vizard and M Vizard attended the meeting and spoke on the item under Standing Order 44.

The Director (JY) presented an update on the interim Built Sports and Leisure Facilities plan agreed by Council in June 2018.  The agreed plan included the decision to permanently close Clifton Hill Sports Centre and to sell the site. The City Surveyor was charged with commissioning a feasibility study for the disposal of the site, to include the sports centre and the surrounding area, with the exception of the allotments, to achieve best value for the Council. However, Council had agreed that the site should be used for residential development and not for Purpose Built Student accommodation.

The Director drew Members’ attention to six key themes included in the report:-

·      to update Members on the good progress of the £3 million investment that the Council made last year for improvements at Wonford Sports Centre, Riverside  Swimming Pool Leisure Centre and Exeter Arena/Isca Centre. The investment programme was nearing its target completion date of 31 March 2019, and early indications were that the work would come in under budget.

·      following the recently discovered structural issues with the roof and the pool surrounds at the Riverside Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre, a  recommendation to Council and request would be made for a further capital budget of £4.4 million to fully renovate and reopen the facility.

·      a recommendation to Council for the sale of the whole Clifton Hill site for a mixed residential development excluding Purpose Built Student Accommodation, on best value grounds, with an estimated capital receipt in the region of £9 million.

·      a recommendation that an area of the site would be retained by the Council to ensure that a public open green space remained on the site. This area should be a minimum 10% of the total land area, but the detail of the exact location and dimensions of the site would be agreed prior to the sale.

·      a recommendation to Council and a request for a budget of £200,000 to cover the investigation and groundworks for the marketing and sale of the site and to ensure the delivery of an optimal capital receipt for the Council, and  

·      Members would be asked to note that permission to consult on the draft Physical Activity Strategy and the Supporting Built Facility Strategy would be considered at Executive on 12 February.

The Director reminded Members of the original decision to sell the site which was clearly set out in the report, with officers requested to identify a best value option for disposal of the whole of the site for residential use.  The City Surveyor gave a financial summary of the viability work that had been carried out.  The valuer’s clear advice was that to achieve the best value, the whole site should be offered for sale. The City Surveyor explained that the indicative value for the whole of the site for residential purposes was likely to be in the region of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13