The report of the Executive Manager – Communities is attached.

It was RESOLVED that

a)    the outcome of the options appraisal be noted and the preferred option of a new leisure centre (with community hall) and stand-alone offices be approved;

b)    the procurement of a professional team to proceed to the next stage to proceed to the next stage of design, planning approval and tender development be authorised;

c)    a Cabinet led Member group to oversee the leisure aspect of the report be appointed;

d)    the financial implications identified within the report be noted and the inclusion of £20m in the Councils Capital Programme together with the funding and resource implications associated with the development in the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy be approved and presented to Full Council on 7 March 2019;

e)    once successful planning permission has been achieved a further report be provided with pre-tender estimates and any revised funding consequences.

Councillor Mason proposed the report of the Executive Manager – Communities requesting Cabinet approval to move to the next phase of development on the Chapel Lane site in Bingham. The interim report proposes the development of a new Leisure Centre, community hall and stand-alone office complex effectively linking the existing community with the new residential properties being built north of the town. The £20m capital investment would be overseen by a Cabinet-led member panel reflecting the support given to the development of Rushcliffe Arena.

Councillor Edyvean seconded the report and outlined how building a new leisure centre in Bingham would support the Council’s continuing goal of providing high quality leisure facilities as well as addressing the future needs of this expanding town. 

Councillor Upton commented that the existing building was beyond its useful life and was not cost effective to update.  He was very supportive of the proposal which gives the Council the opportunity to meet modern disability and energy efficiency standards as well as providing an excellent modern community facility. Councillor Moore also supported the proposal and welcomed the opportunity to put to use many of the lessons learnt from building Rushcliffe Arena.

Councillor Robinson concluded the discussion by highlighting that Bingham was a major growth area in the Borough and that it was positive that we were able to provide a significant piece of community infrastructure as part of that expansion.

It was RESOLVED that

a)    the outcome of the options appraisal be noted and the preferred option of a new leisure centre (with community hall) and stand-alone offices be approved;

b)    the procurement of a professional team to proceed to the next stage to proceed to the next stage of design, planning approval and tender development be authorised;

c)    a Cabinet led Member group to oversee the leisure aspect of the report be appointed;

d)    the financial implications identified within the report be noted and the inclusion of £20m in the Councils Capital Programme together with the funding and resource implications associated with the development in the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy be approved and presented to Full Council on 7 March 2019;

e)    once successful planning permission has been achieved a further report be provided with pre-tender estimates and any revised funding consequences.

Reasons for Decision

Development of a new leisure centre alongside stand-alone serviced offices responds to market requirements combined with intelligence indicating good levels of local demand for offices at competitive rents. Although this option does not provide the Council with the highest return on investment it complements the wider masterplan for Bingham by creating an attractive gateway to and from the new housing development within the north of the town as well as providing employment and economic regeneration benefits.