Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director (JY).

Minute of Executive 12 June 2018 – to follow.

Minute 56 (The Built Sport and Leisure Facilities) of the meeting of Executive held on 12 June 2018 were taken as read.

The Leader stated that the decision before Members was for the closure of Clifton Hill Sports Centre and for the investment in the future of the other existing sports facilities in the city. The vote would be taken in two parts, one for the closure and the second for the future investment in the Council’s sports facilities.

The Leader of the Council moved and the Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing, Communities and Sport seconded the recommendation from Executive 12 June 2018 in respect of the Built Sport and Leisure Facilities.

In accordance with Standing Order No. 8, the following questions were put by Councillor Thompson to the Leader.

Question – How has this not been considered a key decision bearing in mind the levels of financial expenditure which appear to exceed £1m?

The Leader responded that, in accordance with the Council’s procedure rules, Council had to consider any requests for approval of funding which was not included in the budget - this was the case here.  As such, Executive did not take a decision on this matter but made a series of recommendations to the Council. This meant that this was not a key decision, as the Council would be taking the decision not the Executive. 

Question - How does the Council propose to mitigate the loss of these community facilities i.e. golf range, ski slope, rifle club etc.?

The Leader responded that should the Council, as landlord decide to terminate these lease agreements, officers would assist the tenants where it was possible to do so to find alternative premises where possible.

Councillor Thompson asked a supplementary question to explain the consequences of where the tenants would go?

The Leader clarified that officers would investigate suitable alternative premises for any displaced tenants.

Question - What are the business rates which will be avoided as a reason to demolish the building with a given budget to demolish of £150,000?

The Leader responded that they were £30,000 per annum.

Question - How will the Compensation payment be calculated?

The Leader responded that the compensation payment would be calculated in line with the contract terms.

Councillor Thompson asked a supplementary question with regards to the final compensation amount.

The Leader clarified that this would be negotiated with the contractor within the terms of the contract.

Question - Has an estimate of a capital receipt been assessed taking into account the facility is built on a former landfill site, which could affect the ease/cost of building residential development - has the Risk Register evidenced gas landfill emissions?

The Leader replied that no formal assessment of land value/capital receipt had yet taken place.  Officers would only do this once the authority to do so had been delegated to them. The golf driving range was the site of an old Victorian rubbish tip and could therefore not be built on for many years.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5

To consider the report of the Director (JY).

The report of the Director (JY) was submitted which recommended the permanent closure of Clifton Hill Sports Centre and requested a total budget of £3,000,000 to fund an interim plan for consolidating and investing in existing built sports and leisure facilities to improve and update the current offer to citizens. 

The Director (JY) gave a presentation to Members (attached to minutes) which advised of the:-

·         context

·         usage summary

·         environmental concerns prior to Storm Emma

·         damage as a result of Storm Emma

·         reasons why repair was not being recommended

·         what has happened to the current users

·         the proposal which included investing in the upgrading of Riverside Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre, Wonford Sports Centre, Exeter Arena and ISCA Centre

·         what the proposal does and the overall Physical Activity Strategy for the city 

·         the options available to the Council and the potential costs

·         the importance of engaging with the local community and improving access to all city wide sports facilities.

The Leader thanked the Director for her comprehensive and informative presentation. He advised that as the future of the Council’s Built Sports and Leisure Facilities was a key issue all Councillors should be given the opportunity to input into the decision.  He proposed the final decision on matters under consideration be taken by Council on 13 June 2018. Members had been circulated copies of all the comments received from members of the public which included a petition close to having 1,500 signatures.

The Leader continued that in order to mitigate against some of the loss facilities to the local community and to provide spaces for local residents to come together and to support families to use Belmont Park to be active together, he proposed the following additional recommendation.

‘To recommend to Council that it allocates up to £150,000 to Newtown Community Association for the new Community Building being planned in Belmont Park with a further £50,000 being provided to enhance facilities in Belmont Park’.

Councillor M Vizard, having given notice until Standing Order no.44, spoke on the item. He raised the following points:-

·         thanked the Leader for his proposed additional recommendation which if agreed, would help towards the development of a Community Building which would be positive for the ward

·         raised the issue of the financial pressure the Council was under with a reduction in the Central Government grant of £7.24 million (60%) since 2010 and the need to protect front line services

·         supported development of St Sidwell’s Point which would provide excellent sports and leisure facilities

·         was raising local residents’ concerns regarding the loss of a valuable community facility and sports hall that was used by the young and old

·         was concerned that there was no formal consultation and asked that a presentation be made to the local residents to explain the issues

·         there was a need to address the health and wellbeing of the residents in Newtown

·         look into possible use of other local amenities such as the St Luke’s University Campus

·         investigate how transport links could be improved from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56