Issue - meetings

Report to follow

(i)            That the Council’s commitment to sports & swimming provision in Kidsgrove be reaffirmed.

(ii)           That the re-opening of the sports centre as the vehicle for delivery of this commitment be agreed.

(iii)          That it be agreed in principle to support option A for the reasons set out at paragraph 3.2 subject to:

a)    Validation and confirmation of full cost estimates for refurbishment of the sports centre;

b)    Satisfactory assurances that following refurbishment the building will have a life expectancy that justifies the required level of investment from the perspective of both affordability and value for money;

c)    Submission and validation of an updated business plan that includes full lifecycle costs and confirms the level of annual subsidy required;

d)    Resolution of the outstanding legal issues detailed at paragraph 2.1;

e)    The CIO strengthening its capacity and governance to enable the project to be delivered and associated public funds safeguarded

(iv)          That an all-party Cabinet panel be convened to consider the revised cost estimates and business plan with a view to Cabinet making a recommendation to Council on reopening the existing Kidsgrove Sport Centre.

A report was submitted to Cabinet updating Members on the re-opening of Kidsgrove Sports Centre.

The Leader welcomed Mr Dave Rigby from the Kidsgrove Sports Centre Community Group.

The building would need to be made safe and watertight and the services reconnecting.

Members’ attention was drawn to paragraph 3 of the report which outlined the alternative options with Option A at paragraph 3.2 being the preferred solution.

The transferring of ownership of the building from Staffordshire County Council to Newcastle Borough Council was currently ongoing.  The County Council would also pay a sum of money equal to the demolition costs.

The Leader stated that an all –party Cabinet Panel would be convened which could comprise of all of the Kidsgrove Ward Councillors, the Leader, plus representatives from the Liberal Democratic Group and the Borough Independent Group.

The first phase would be to reopen the Centre’s dry side followed by the swimming pool.

Members all agreed that this was excellent news and partnership working at its best.

The Leader thanked officers, the Community Group and Members for the work that would be done on this which would become a facility that Kidsgrove could be proud of.

The Leader advised that a community engagement event would be taking place on the morning of 19 October at Tesco in Kidsgrove where the plans could be examined and people could share their views.

Resolved:     (i)         That the Council’s commitment to sports & swimming

                                    provision in Kidsgrove be reaffirmed.

(ii)          That the re-opening of the sports centre as the vehicle for delivery of this commitment be agreed.

(iii)         That it be agreed in principle to support option A for the reasons set out at paragraph 3.2 subject to:

a)            Validation and confirmation of full cost estimates for

refurbishment of the sports centre;

b)            Satisfactory assurances that following

refurbishment the building will have a life expectancy that justifies the required level of investment from the perspective of both affordability and value for money;

c)             Submission and validation of an updated business

plan that includes full lifecycle costs and confirms the level of annual subsidy required;

d)            Resolution of the outstanding legal issues detailed

at paragraph 2.1;

e)            The CIO strengthening its capacity and governance

to enable the project to be delivered and associated

public funds safeguarded

(iv)         That an all-party Cabinet panel be convened to consider the revised cost estimates and business plan with a view to Cabinet making a recommendation to Council on reopening the existing Kidsgrove Sport Centre.