Issue - meetings

Report to follow.

That the work that has occurred to date since the last Cabinet meeting on this matter be noted and further endorse:

(i)            The scope of work that has been put forward by the Kidsgrove Community Interest Group in line with the expected 25 years life for the facility.

(ii)           The value of the target cost of £5.6m for the scheme that has been worked up with the building contractor, Willmott Dixon, and the Kidsgrove Community Interest Group.

(iii)          That an All-Party Cabinet panel will be convened on the 18^th March

2020 to consider and comment on the scope of works and the revised cost estimates.

(iv)          That further work is being undertaken to confirm the affordability and value for money offered by the scheme including consideration of whether the additional scheme costs can be accommodated within the 2020/21 capital programme through a combination of deferring or viring funding from other capital approved schemes. The local MP is also arranging a meeting with the Sports Minister to discuss additional funding that might be made available for the scheme.

(v)           That officers in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Service Improvement, People and Partnerships will review all of the above with a view to making a recommendation for a contract award in a final decision report.

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

The Leader advised that the Council had been working with the community group for over 18 months now to get the sports centre refurbished and opened to the public. Scoping works had been undertaken and a circa £5.6m cost had been identified. A facilities mix to be provided at centre had been agreed by the community group. Funding had largely been provided in the Medium Term Financial Strategy (£3.1m). This report was being taken to the community group meeting for consideration this evening. £362k demolition costs and the building had been gifted to the Council and confirmation was being sought from Sport England in respect of their £100,000 contribution.

In addition, the Leader was lobbying the Sports Minister for support and was due to attend a meeting in London. Officers were working hard to bring this forward. The Leader recommend that Cabinet accept the scope agreed by the community group; accept the current valuation of £5.6m and note the outside contributions due and those being sought. This report would be recommended to the Kidsgrove Sports Centre Refurbishment Cabinet Panel this evening.

Councillor Waring stated that hopefully the re-opening was one step nearer. This was important for Kidsgrove residents for the next 25 years.

Councillor Maxfield agreed with everything that had been said adding that the sports centre had been very much missed.

Councillor Sweeney stated that 25 years usage would give the return on tax payer’s money adding that the sooner things got underway the better

Leader thanked the Executive Management Team, in particular the Executive Director of Commercial Development and Economic Growth and also the officers involved.

Resolved:     That the work that has occurred to date since the last Cabinet

meeting on this matter be noted and further endorse:

(i)            The scope of work that has been put forward by the

Kidsgrove Community Interest Group in line with the expected 25 years life for the facility.

(ii)           The value of the target cost of £5.6m for the scheme that

has been worked up with the building contractor, Willmott Dixon, and the Kidsgrove Community Interest Group.

(iii)       That an All-Party Cabinet panel will be convened on the

18th March, 2020 to consider and comment on the scope of works and the revised cost estimates.

(iv)       That further work is being undertaken to confirm the

affordability and value for money offered by the scheme including consideration of whether the additional scheme costs can be accommodated within the 2020/21 capital programme through a combination of deferring or viring funding from other capital approved schemes. The local MP is also arranging a meeting with the Sports Minister to discuss additional funding that might be made available for the scheme.

(v)          That officers in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for

Corporate and Service Improvement, People and Partnerships will review all of the above with a view to making a recommendation for a contract award in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10