Minutes:
Minute 128 of Executive held on 9 December 2014 was taken as read.
The Leader stated that, in order to remain competitive and attract investors to the City, the development of the Bus and Coach Station site was essential. This was, he felt, an appropriate use of the New Homes Bonus Funds and would provide a facility for the local community and bring visitors into the city. The figures in the Medium Term Financial Plan were the worst case scenario should New Homes Bonus Funds be discontinued after the election in May 2015. The New Homes Bonus Funds should not be used to support the Revenue budget and this facility would benefit the whole city. Having considered alternative sites for a pool it was felt this high profile building contributing to the attraction and visitor experience of the city centre would best to be met on this city centre site.
A Member stated his objections to the level of borrowing that was required for implementation of this development and the impact that the interest payments would have on the revenue account, particularly when the Council needed to save £4 million over the next three years. He expressed concerns regarding the implication this proposal could have on any cuts in services such as street sweepers and community patrol and the impact of the long term maintenance of the building.
In response to a Member, the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Culture clarified that the budget for the Leisure Complex included a contingency fund.
Some Members spoke in support of the proposal and welcomed this visionary development of the bus and coach station site to include a new Leisure Complex. This would bring further investment into the city as well as being a great recreational facility for local residents and visitors.
Other Members had reservations regarding the scheme and the way forward proposed.
RESOLVED that Minute 128 of the Executive held on 9 December 2014 (as below) be received and adopted:-
(1) the allocation of £19.4 million to develop a new leisure complex and swimming pool on part of the bus station site to replace the Pyramids;
(2) that the Leader nominate and Council appoint the Leisure Complex Programme Board as a Sub-Committee of the Executive;
(3) that all future spend decisions in respect of the £19.4 million budget for the development of the new Leisure Complex and Swimming Pool be delegated to the Leisure Complex Programme Board;
(4) that the Leader nominate, and Council appoint, the following Members to the Leisure Complex Programme Board:
· The Leader of the Council
· Portfolio Holder- Economy and Culture
· Portfolio Holder- City Development and
· Leader of the Opposition or nominated representative; and
(5) that the Proceedings of the Leisure Complex Programme Board take place in accordance with the Executive Procedure Rules.
In accordance with Standing Order 27(1), a named vote on the recommendation was called for, as follows:
Voting for:
Councillors Baldwin, Bialyk, Bowkett, Branston, Brimble, Bull, Choules, Crew, Dawson, Denham, Donovan, Edwards, Foggin, George, Hannaford, Henson, Holland, Lyons, Morris, the Deputy Lord Mayor, Owen, Pearson, Raybould, Robson, Sheldon, Shiel, Spackman, Sutton, Tippins, Wardle, Williams and Winterbotton.
(32 Members)
Voting against:
Councillors Fullam and Mitchell
(2 Members)
Abstain:
Councillor Brock, Leadbetter, Mottram and the Lord Mayor.
(4 Members)
Absent:
Councillors Clark and Laws
(2 Members)