Decision details

RESOLVED that Cabinet:-

(a)          Considers the options set out in the Oakdale Learning Centre Options Report (Appendix 1), to build a new learning centre on Site 2 (or alternative site), and releasing Site 1 for residential housing, to be unaffordable at this time;

(b)          Approves the relocation of Skills & Learning to premises in the Dolphin Centre on a 10 year lease with no break clause;

(c)          Approves a £920k increase in capital investment programme for adaptation work at the new Skills and Learning premises, on the basis that prudential borrowing repayments will be charged to the Skills and Learning service;

(d)          Accepts a contribution of £400k from Legal and General towards the cost of £920k adaptation works;

(e)          Notes the resulting £123k revenue pressure on the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan for loss of annual Service Charge income from the Skills & Learning service;

(f)           Delegates authority to the Corporate Property Officer to agree the detailed terms of the lease and all associated documents in liaison with the Section 151 Officer, Monitoring Officer and the relevant Portfolio Holder/(s); and

(g)          Notes that a further paper on housing options at the Oakdale site will be brought forward in due course.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Covid Resilience, Schools and Skills

Reasons

To improve access to employability and enterprise skills, Maths, English, vocational and digital skills, a Job Club, well-being and professional development for unemployed and underemployed people and those with the greatest barriers to learning and work.

To enhance the vibrancy of Poole Town Centre with a dynamic and modern Skills campus likely to attract more passing footfall and increasing awareness of the service among residents and business.

To relocate the service with a reduced overall space requirement having considered the impact of Covid-19.

To ensure the council deliver on the ‘Promoting Lifelong Learning’ objective of the Fulfilled Lives, Brighter Futures and Connected Communities corporate plan by maintaining the delivery of adult community education in Poole.

To resolve the council’s increasing essential maintenance and repairs costs for the Oakdale Centre and register Skills and Learning’s need for suitable alternative accommodation.

To release land for residential development in the Oakdale ward as identified in the local plan.