Agenda item

Subject to the approval of a business case scheduled for consideration by Cabinet in August 2019, to request budgetary provision to fund asset improvement works to the swimming pool changing rooms and health suite areas at Clacton Leisure Centre, as the first phase of a wider strategy for the Council’s Sports Facilities.

Decision:

RESOLVED that –

 

(a)    the asset improvement works to Clacton Leisure Centre, as set out in the report, be approved; and

 

(b) £525,000 be allocated from the 2018/19 corporate underspend towards this project, subject to the approval of a business case being brought forward to Cabinet in August 2019.

Minutes:

The Cabinet gave consideration to a joint report of the Corporate Finance and Governance Portfolio Holder and the Leisure and Tourism Portfolio Holder (A.2) which, subject to the approval of a business case scheduled for consideration by Cabinet in August 2019, requested budgetary provision to fund asset improvement works to the swimming pool changing rooms and health suite areas at Clacton Leisure Centre, as the first phase of a wider strategy for the Council’s Sports Facilities.

 

It was reported that, in parallel with the Council’s 10 year financial plan, an overarching Sports Facilities Strategy was being developed for consideration in the Autumn in order to ensure the service met customer demand, supported the work of the Sport England Local Delivery Pilots project and provided long term financial sustainability.

 

Cabinet was informed that the overarching strategy was unpinned by essential asset improvement works at Clacton Leisure Centre (CLC) in order to ensure the facility was not only operating with high standards of customer service, but importantly ensured long term customer growth thereby supporting financial sustainability. 

 

Members were aware that the swimming pool changing rooms and spa area at CLC were now at the end of their maintenance lifecycle and were in need of refurbishment.  With a contingency budget, the cost of £525,000 would ensure those facilities were brought up to the standard expected from a modern leisure centre. A supporting business case for such work would be considered by Cabinet in August 2019 and no work would commence prior to its approval.  

 

It was felt that this programme of asset improvement was required, as the key areas including the flooring, cubicles and lockers were in a poor state of repair.  There was also an opportunity to improve accessibility for parents with young children by increasing the number of family changing cubicles, and making alterations to the shower configuration. Furthermore, the Health Suite area was part of a redevelopment of CLC in 2007 and despite ongoing maintenance, the area had suffered from the effects of poor ventilation.  The result of this had been a deterioration of the ceiling, including rusting of the ceiling grids and continued staining and soaking of ceiling tiles. The appearance of the showers in the area was poor, with tiles lifting from the wall.

 

Cabinet was advised that there would be a key emphasis on environmental improvements to the facility and further savings being realised, by incorporating energy efficient adaptions within both the lighting and mechanical specifications.

 

Members were reminded that the repairs and maintenance budget for Clacton Leisure Centre was £67,000 over budget due to ongoing repairs in this area in order to keep the facilities open.  Asset improvement works would reduce the increasing maintenance costs in those areas and bring expenditure back under control. Based on the current situation £536,000 of additional projected building repair costs over the rest of the 10 year period would be avoided if the asset improvement works were undertaken.

 

A number of comments were made during the discussion of this item in respect of the contribution leisure facilities like this can play in addressing obesity and loneliness and to a range of measures to consider as part of the investment in this facility. These covered investment in green measures, parts and machinery, and the appearance of the centre.

 

Having considered the information provided in the report:-

 

It was moved by Councillor G V Guglielmi, seconded by Councillor Honeywood and:-

 

RESOLVED that –

 

(a)    the asset improvement works to Clacton Leisure Centre, as set out in the report, be approved; and

 

(b) £525,000 be allocated from the 2018/19 corporate underspend towards this project, subject to the approval of a business case being brought forward to Cabinet in August 2019.

Supporting documents: