Issue - meetings

To consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Corporate Assets.

The Director of Environment and Corporate Assets presented the report on Tides Leisure Centre.

Members were advised that Tides Leisure Pool was opened in 1987 and due to its age was likely to require significant capital investment over the coming years. If the required investment was not made then there was an increased risk of frequent or permanent pool closure because a number of essential plant items were reaching end of life.

The Cabinet had agreed to approve £710,000 from the Tides Leisure Centre Refurbishment Project included in the Medium-Term Financial Plan as followed:

·         £600,000 for urgent plant refurbishment works to address essential maintenance issues at Tides;

·         £10,000 to support the next stage of project development through further investigation of preferred options for wet and dry leisure facilities; and

·         £100,000 provision to meet the cost of any emergency works that arose while the preferred options were being investigated.

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In respect of the new Dover District Leisure Centre, it was stated that this would complement the offer at Tides not compete with it.

Members discussed the car parking arrangements for Tides, including the need to protect it for users of Tides and avoid people parking there to avoid paying for parking elsewhere. The Director of Environment and Corporate Assets advised Members that this issue was being looked at by officers.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

To consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Corporate Assets.

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Property Management and Environmental Health

It was agreed:

(a) That investigations into two preferred options for the future provision of wet and dry indoor leisure facilities at Tides Leisure Centre be continued. 

(b) That the use of £710,000 from the Tides Leisure Centre Refurbishment   Project included in the Medium-Term Financial Plan be approved as follows:

§    £600,000 for urgent plant refurbishment works to address essential maintenance issues at Tides;

§    £10,000 to support the next stage of project development through further investigation of preferred options;

§    £100,000 provision to meet the cost of any emergency works that arise while the preferred options are being investigated.

(c) That the Director of Environment and Corporate Assets be authorised, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Property Management and Environmental Health, to accept the best value for money tender for urgent plant refurbishment works.

 (d) That the Director of Environment and Corporate Assets be authorised, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Property Management and Environmental Health, to engage with prospective partners and funders on the opportunities for financing the preferred options.