RECOMMENDED that Council: -
(a) Approve the new short-term management contract for leisure centres in Poole with current operator Everyone Active in accordance with confidential Appendix 1;
(b) Approves £0.7m prudential borrowing to support the total £1.2m cost of developing a new Synthetic Turf Pitch (STP) at Rossmore Leisure Centre (subject to planning approval & grant funding) and the replacement of the existing pitch carpet at Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre, in accordance with the finance plan in Appendix 3;
RESOLVED that Cabinet: -
(c) Notes that the Rossmore STP scheme is expected to be supported by up to £0.5m grant funding form the Football Foundation and other third parties;
(d) Delegates the Service Director for Destination & Culture and the Director of Finance (S151 Officer), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Leisure & Culture, to finalise the details and related funding arrangements for (1) and (2); and
(e) Note BH Live’s Business Plan for 2021/22.
Voting: Unanimous
Portfolio Holder: Tourism, Leisure and Culture
Reasons
1. Delivery of the Council’s corporate commitment to increase leisure provision and help people participate and lead more active and healthy lives.
2. The unprecedented impact of COVID-19 on the Council and its leisure partners.
3. To address a strategic need for Synthetic Turf Pitch provision, meet customer demand, enhance service provision at Rossmore LC and resolve a maintenance issue at Two Riversmeet LC.
4. Delivery of the Council’s Built Sports Facilities and Playing Pitch Strategies with significant financial support from sports charity, the Football Foundation.