Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director Culture, Leisure and Tourism.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council approve:-

(1)   the provision of £750,000 funding to progress to the next Workstage of the Wonford Health & Wellbeing Hub; and

(2)   the invitation of local residents’ involvement in the co-design of the proposed redevelopment.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

The Executive received the report, which sought funding and approval to progress to the next Workstage of the Wonford Health and Wellbeing Hub redevelopment programme, including further detailed feasibility towards full planning consent for the development of the existing Wonford Community and Sports Centre facilities.

Particular reference was made to Wonford being a future nominated site for regeneration and development within the wider transformational Liveable Exeter housing plan and that health and wellbeing was at the centre of Wonford, through a community led vision and investment to redevelop a health and wellbeing hub.

An in depth local community engagement process had been undertaken with investment from Sport England as part of the ‘Live and Move’ Local Delivery Pilot programme, and the Council was now seeking to progress the programme to a formal in depth feasibility and to submit a planning application. Engagement with the local community over a two year period had shown that some 70% of the ward had not used the centre. The public consultation had also highlighted the following:-

·        the development of a hub would bring the community together and improve the health and wellbeing of local residents;

·        the facility would be opened outwards to the whole community, to replace the current intimidating building outlook and would be connected to the Wonford Playing Fields, the Ludwell Valley Park and the wider city Green Circle cycle and walking route;

·        there would be improvements to the sustainable transport options to the site; and

·        the development towards a local hub for leisure and wellbeing activities would be led by the local community.

Councillor D. Moore, as an opposition leader, spoke on the item, welcoming the project and the community engagement undertaken and enquired on community involvement and governance arrangements for this new facility. She further enquired on whether the Portfolio Holder would be considering the carbon impact for the demolition and construction?

A response would be provided outside the meeting.

During discussion the following points were made:-

·        the initiative would encourage people to become healthier and more active, particularly by making the centre more welcoming and accessible to the local community, acting as a destination point for residents;

·        consultation work had been undertaken on several levels with an emphasis on providing residents with a voice on the design of the new facility around their community needs. The engagement had resulted in many useful suggestions such as a café, climbing wall and a shared space; and

·        the new hub would result in greater ownership by the local community and help improve health and well-being in area which had suffered from deprivation and inequality.

RECOMMENDED that Council approve:-

(1)   the provision of £750,000 funding to progress to the next Workstage of the Wonford Health & Wellbeing Hub; and

(2)   the invitation of local residents’ involvement in the co-design of the proposed redevelopment.