Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Commercial.

That Council puts in place a revenue budget funded from the £500,000 receipt to cover ongoing reservoir running costs which should last 25 years (based on £20,000pa).

The Cabinet Member (Finance, Property and Assets), Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, presented the report of the Director of Commercial which sought the approval for the finances around the proposal to support Cabinet’s decision agreeing the transfer of land at the Vernon Carus Sports Club. 

Councillor Tomlinson thanked Councillor Titherington for his input into this project, and noted that the recreational land which includes football and cricket pitches and a bowling green would be protected as assets for the community. 

Members spoke in support of the decision, including Councillors Margaret and Phil Smith, Alan Ogilvie and Mick Titherington.  A query was raised regarding when the money would be received by the Council and what the inspection arrangements will be.  This would be clarified following the meeting. 

It was proposed by the Cabinet Member (Finance, Property and Assets), Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, seconded by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster, and subsequently

Resolved (unanimously)

That Council puts in place a revenue budget funded from the £500,000 receipt to cover ongoing reservoir running costs which should last 25 years (based on £20,000pa).

Report of the Director of Commercial enclosed.

Decision made

1. That Cabinet approves the transfer of the land and reservoir to South Ribble Borough Council and the receipt of the sum of £500,000

2. That Cabinet approves the principles of the outline Master Plan. Further reports will come back through Cabinet and Council around the phasing of delivery and funding options for the component parts.

3. That Cabinet approves the funding of £150,000 plus a £25,000 contingency for the refurbishment of the existing Sports Club and Changing Rooms as phase 1A of the prosed Master Plan. The £150,000 is to be funded from s106 and £25,000 from the new Leisure Local budget.

The Cabinet Member (Finance, Property and Finance) presented a report of the Director of Commercial taking forward the ambitions of the Council’s Leisure Facilities Strategy which has the key ambition of developing local Sport and Community hubs across the Borough as a means of widening access to Leisure Facilities and promoting the concept of Leisure Local.

The report also builds on a report taken to Cabinet on 20^th June 2020 which gave permission for officers to commence negotiations on the transfer of the land at the Vernon Carus Site. The new report sought a final decision on agreeing a transfer of land at the Vernon Carus Sports Club, Factory Lane, Penwortham and Penwortham Reservoir (see Appendix A - Plan of sites) to South Ribble Borough Council from Lane End Developments Construction Ltd.

Arising from member question regarding risk, the Chief Executive indicated that a substantial amount of risk had been mitigated by completing all backlog of maintenance. It was confirmed that the annual inspection would be carried out by an accredited inspector.

Decision made

1. That Cabinet approves the transfer of the land and reservoir to South Ribble Borough Council and the receipt of the sum of £500,000

2. That Cabinet approves the principles of the outline Master Plan. Further reports will come back through Cabinet and Council around the phasing of delivery and funding options for the component parts.

3. That Cabinet approves the funding of £150,000 plus a £25,000 contingency for the refurbishment of the existing Sports Club and Changing Rooms as phase 1A of the prosed Master Plan. The £150,000 is to be funded from s106 and £25,000 from the new Leisure Local budget.

Reasons for decision

The Transfer of the land in question is linked to a wider Housing development being driven by Trafford Housing Trust. The transfer of the site to the Council is an opportunity to take forward the new concept of Leisure Local as put forward in the Leisure Facilities Strategy adopted by the Council in October 2020.

Strategically, the Council has adopted a new Leisure Facilities Strategy through Cabinet. This highlights an ambition to develop leisure and community hubs across the borough as part of the concept of Leisure local.

Alternative options considered and rejected

The Council could choose not to accept the transfer of the land to South Ribble Borough Council. This would represent a missed opportunity in terms of developing a local Sports and Community Hub in-line with the objectives of the Leisure Facilities Strategy.

[Following the above item, the Chair announced that the next meeting of the Cabinet would be held on Wednesday, 13 October 2021 at 6.00pm at Bamber Bridge Methodist Church, Station Road, Bamber Bridge].