Issue - meetings

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

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council note:-

(1) the report, extensive business case and community engagement; and

(2) that officers will bring back a report with potential funding options for £7million by April 2025.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

The Executive received the report which provided an update on the progress of the Wonford Community Wellbeing Hub prior to a formal planning application and shared the business case and £7 million costs of the project.

Members were advised that there was a typo in the report, and that it was February 2022 that Council had approved the provision of £750,000 funding to progress to the next stage of work and the business case. There had been a high level of responses from the community and what they valued, and the business case outlined how the Wellbeing Hub could generate profit within its first five years.

Members received a presentation on the Wonford Community Wellbeing Hub (attached to the minutes), which included:

·         an overview of the purpose and desired outcomes of the hub;

·         the progress of work to date;

·         an overview of the existing fragmented buildings and the proposed new hub;

·         an overview of the designs of the hub; and

·         a forecast of the capital cost & revenue position and next steps of the project.

Opposition group leaders spoke on the item and made the following points:-

·         Cllr Moore – enquired on the different options to governance arrangements and legal structures, how these might be resolved and who will be taking the project forward in regard to community involvement? She also enquired on what extent would capital be addressed to ensure community organisations do not struggle financially.

·         Cllr Mitchell – enquired on the capital funding for the project and what percentage of the capital requirements would be met through grant funding?

During the discussion, the following points were made:

·         the Wonford area was one of the most deprived areas in city and deserved the new hub which was supported; and

·         the hub would provide both social and community value to residents and be a benefit to the community.

The Leader in commending the report advised that business case figures should be integrated in regard to income and that a report would eventually go back to Scrutiny for consideration on its progress and community engagement.

The Leader moved, and Councillor Wright seconded, the recommendations which were voted upon and CARRIED unanimously

RECOMMENDED that Council note:-

(1) the report, extensive business case and community engagement; and

(2) that officers will bring back a report with potential funding options for £7 million by April 2025.