Exeter City Council notes that:-
1. On 13th June 2018, the Council resolved that Minute 56 of the Executive held on 12 June, concerning the Clifton Hill Sports Centre and surrounding land, be received and adopted.
2. The decision to close the Clifton Hill Sports Centre, demolish the building and sell the land; as well as to delegate authority to the City Surveyor “to include the sale of the adjacent driving range, ski slope and Exeter Small Bore Rifle Club areas of the Clifton Hill site as a single development site if this offers the best value to the Council”, without consultation, has proved highly controversial.
3. The report presented to the Executive on 12th June contained several inaccuracies and appears to have underestimated the number of residents who made use of the sports centre facilities. In addition, the report failed to describe the land surrounding the sports centre, including its size and amenity value.
4. A city-wide petition opposing closure of the sports centre, signed by 1,800 supporters of the “Save the Clifton Hill Sports Centre” campaign group, was received by the Council on October 16th 2018; and a further petition calling for the council to retain ownership of the land surrounding the sports centre and “keep it green”, with 500 signatures collected door-to-door by the Save the Clifton Hill Green Space group, was received by Cllr. Pete Edwards on 13th November 2018.
5. The Council plans to hold a consultation before presenting its Physical Activity and Built Facilities strategies, clearly demonstrating that the above decision relating to the Clifton Hill Sports Centre -- and the other facilities and land surrounding the centre -- was taken prematurely.
Exeter City Council, therefore, resolves that the decision taken at the Council meeting of 13th June be reversed.
Minutes:
Councillor Musgrave, seconded by Councillor Mitchell, moved a Motion in the following terms:-
Exeter City Council notes that:-
1. On 13th June 2018, the Council resolved that Minute 56 of the Executive held on 12 June, concerning the Clifton Hill Sports Centre and surrounding land, be received and adopted.
2. The decision to close the Clifton Hill Sports Centre, demolish the building and sell the land; as well as to delegate authority to the City Surveyor “to include the sale of the adjacent driving range, ski slope and Exeter Small Bore Rifle Club areas of the Clifton Hill site as a single development site if this offers the best value to the Council”, without consultation, has proved highly controversial.
3. The report presented to the Executive on 12th June contained several inaccuracies and appears to have underestimated the number of residents who made use of the sports centre facilities. In addition, the report failed to describe the land surrounding the sports centre, including its size and amenity value.
4. A city-wide petition opposing closure of the sports centre, signed by 1,800 supporters of the “Save the Clifton Hill Sports Centre” campaign group, was received by the Council on October 16th 2018; and a further petition calling for the council to retain ownership of the land surrounding the sports centre and “keep it green”, with 500 signatures collected door-to-door by the Save the Clifton Hill Green Space group, was received by Cllr. Pete Edwards on 13th November 2018.
5. The Council plans to hold a consultation before presenting its Physical Activity and Built Facilities strategies, clearly demonstrating that the above decision relating to the Clifton Hill Sports Centre -- and the other facilities and land surrounding the centre -- was taken prematurely.
Exeter City Council, therefore, resolves that the decision taken at the Council meeting of 13th June be reversed.
Councillor Musgrave stated that the decision to close Clifton Hill Sports Centre had been made in haste and was based on an inaccurate report. He did not believe that the roof was beyond repair and disputed the figures for its repair. A number of independent contractors had suggested that a new roof could have extended the life of the sports centre by another 25 years. He was also concerned that more funding had been approved for the new Leisure Centre and Bus Station development (Minute 76 above refers) to the detriment of other facilities in the city. He referred to the local community aspirations and their concerns regarding the decline of the sport offer in the city and called on Members to support the motion.
Councillor Mitchell, in seconding the motion, stated that local residents had not only expressed concern about the loss of the Clifton Hill Sports Centre, but believed that the St Sidwell’s Point facility had the potential for inequality. He expressed disappointment at the request for further funding of £11.88 million for St Sidwell’s Point.
A Local Ward Member stated that it was unfortunate that Clifton Hill Leisure Centre was no longer open and he shared the disappointment of many of the local residents. He referred to the difficult decisions having to be made by Members, but of the need to secure the other leisure sites and also build much needed social housing for the residents of Exeter. He welcomed the approval of 80% of the build cost for the new community hut in Belmont Park. The Leisure Complex and the Bus Station would provide new community facilities, particularly for the residents of Newtown and St Leonards.
The Leader reminded Members that, despite the loss of significant Government funding, the Sports Centre would be built with a combination of prudent financial management, and a small level of borrowing. He acknowledged the loss of Clifton Hill Leisure Centre to the area, but it was no longer fit for purpose and the brand new sports centre would benefit all.
The Portfolio Holder for Health & Well-being, Communities & Sport stated that the report of 12 June did not contain inaccuracies and that Members had access to all of the details. He referred to the difficult decision taken in closing Clifton Hill Leisure Centre, but with overwhelming evidence and financial sustainability, Members had little choice other than to accept its permanent closure. He invited Members to visit the refurbished facilities at Wonford Leisure Centre, the Riverside and the Arena, and referred to the effort made to improve the wider leisure estate. St Sidwells Point would be delivered and provide a facility in the city centre to be used by all.
Members supporting the Motion referred to a reversal of a decision by Devon County Council in relation to adjacent land at Stoke Hill Primary School, the increased use of Clifton Hill Leisure Centre between 2011 and 2017 and also that the Centre should have been kept in good repair. Members not supporting the Motion confirmed that the Riverside Leisure Centre was open (it was just the pool that remained closed) and benefited from the investment in new facilities along with the other council sports facilities.
The Notice of Motion was put to the vote and lost.
In accordance with Standing Order 27(1), a named vote on the recommendation was called for, and the voting recorded as follows:
Voting for:-
Holland, Leadbetter, Mitchell, Musgrave, Newby, Pierce, Prowse and Thompson.
(8 Members)
Voting against:-
Bialyk, Branston, Edwards, Foggin, Hannan, Harvey, Lamb, Deputy Lord Mayor, Morse, Owen, Packham, Pattison, Pearson, Robson, Sheldon, Sills, Sutton, Vizard M, Vizard N, Wardle, Warwick and Wood.
(22 Members)
Abstentions:-
The Lord Mayor.
(1 Member)
Absent:-
Begley, Denham, Foale, Gottschalk, Henson D, Mrs Henson, Keen and Wright
(8 Members)