Issue - meetings

In December 2017 Borough of Poole Cabinet approved the commencement of procurement to seek a developer to deliver enhanced sports changing, permanent catering and public toilet facilities within Whitecliff Pavilion - see Appendix 1.

Through the planning application process, approval has been granted to redevelop the pavilion. Thetender to find an operator to design, build, manage & maintain the facility is livewith a closing date 1 July.  Consultation has been undertaken with stakeholders, ward councillors and the public.

There are covenants on Whitecliff Recreation Ground which restrict the commercial uses of the space.  They prevent the development of a full-service café appealing to a wider clientele.  The developer will need maximum opportunity to build a successful business model for financial viability.  The café will provide a service for all park users and the income will cross subsidise the cost of running the changing rooms and public toilets.  The Council’s Estates Team tried to negotiate the release of the covenants but negotiations failed when the Council were asked to indemnify against possible future claims from other parties.

If Cabinet agree to the appropriation - and delegate authority to officers to make the award of contract to the successful bidder - when the tender closes the development can be commenced.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)          Cabinet approve the appropriation of land at Whitecliff Recreation Ground for planning purposes; and

(b)          Members delegate authority to officers in consultation with the Portfolio Holder and Ward Councillors to award contract to the successful bidder following close of Tender on 1 July and all subsequent decisions to enable the completion of the development.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Environment and Climate Change

Reasons

a)            To enable the redevelopment and funding of land and buildings known as Whitecliff Pavilion, approved by the Borough of Poole Cabinet 5 December 2017 – Appendix 1.

b)            Delegating authority to Officers to award a contract to the successful tenderer, following the tender process will ensure the development can progress in line with the conditions detailed in the legal contracts.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Climate Change presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'G' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet were advised that in December 2017 Borough of Poole Cabinet approved the commencement of procurement to seek a developer to deliver enhanced facilities within Whitecliff Pavillion as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, and that in relation to this through the planning application process, approval had been granted to redevelop the pavilion. Further to this Cabinet were advised that the tender to find an operator to design, build, manage and maintain the facility is live with a closing date of 1 July, and that consultation had been undertaken with stakeholders, ward councillors and the public.

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board addressed Cabinet advising that at their recent meeting the Board resolved to make the following recommendations to Cabinet in respect of this item:

Recommendation B should be amended to read “Members delegate authority to officers in consultation with the Portfolio Holder and Ward Councillors to award…”

The Portfolio Holder thanked the Board for their recommendation and advised that this amendment would be incorporated into the recommendations accordingly.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)          Cabinet approve the appropriation of land at Whitecliff Recreation Ground for planning purposes; and

(b)          Members delegate authority to officers in consultation with the Portfolio Holder and Ward Councillors to award contract to the successful bidder following close of Tender on 1 July and all subsequent decisions to enable the completion of the development.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Environment and Climate Change