In March 2015 the Council commissioned Ploszajski Lynch Consulting to assist in the development of a Leisure Strategy for the Borough. The initial draft was completed and became a “needs analysis” (Phase 1 of a complete leisure strategy) of leisure requirements and provided an evidence base of facilities in the Borough. A cross party Member Working Group was established in January 2016 to identify the key priorities and to develop a work programme to deliver the Leisure Strategy. A key priority identified by the working group was to establish income and expenditure on the Council’s current leisure facilities.

Now the Council is in possession of the needs analysis, It is proposed that the Council commission a full and thorough value for money review and options appraisal of the Council’s leisure facilities (Phase 2 of the leisure strategy) within the Borough which will include the Brentwood Centre, six community halls (which will include Bishops Hall, Hutton Poplars Hall, Hutton Poplars Lodge, Merrymeades, Nightingale Centre, Willowbrook Hall) and Hartswood Golf Course.

The value for money review and options appraisal will provide Members with a complete picture of the current provision. It will also provide them with an understanding of the various options available to them and associated risk profiles for securing future leisure provision in the Borough. It will also help members identify the ‘best fit’ for Brentwood. This work will inform any formal tender process which may follow the review.

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Parker and SECONDED by Cllr Trump to approve the recommendations set out in the report, subject to an amendment to 2.1 by the Chair as set out below.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY to:

1. To commission a Value for Money Review and Options Appraisal of the Council’s Leisure facilities to include the Brentwood Centre, Community Halls (to include Bishops Hall, Hutton Poplars Hall, Hutton Poplars Lodge, Merrymeades, Nightingale Centre, Willowbrook Hall, Hartswood Golf Course, Football and Rugby Pitches.

2.  For Officers to request support from the LGA Productivity Expert      Programme in respect of the Consultancy costs.

3.  Approve the release from the Transformation reserve of £30k, as allowed for in the 2016/2017 budget, to support the work of the Leisure Strategy and Value for Money Review and Options Appraisal.

4.    This budget be delegated to the Head of Paid Service in consultation with the Chair of Community, Health and Leisure Committee.

5.    That Officers report back to Members the outcomes of the Value for Money Review and Options Appraisal.

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION

As part of the Council’s due diligence in delivering a successful Leisure Strategy, Members and officers need to have a complete picture of the current associated costs and risk profiles of the borough’s Leisure facilities.

Comments received from Sport England as part of the Local Development Plan consultation, stated that a Leisure Strategy is required that assesses Council owned sports and leisure facilities in order that the Council can continue to work with partners to ensure that appropriate provision is made for the residents of Brentwood. The strategy should not only consider how the Council can provide services, but also how other partners can. The strategy should also use current sports facility evidence to identify strategic priorities to then inform what will be included in the Council’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan. Following this feasibility work, the Council will then be able to determine which projects will be funded by the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and those funded by planning obligations.

(Cllr Reed declared a non-pecuniary interest under the Council’s Code of Conduct by virtue of an independent trustee of Brentwood Leisure Trust, Cllr Parker declared a non-pecuniary interest under the Council’s Code of Conduct by virtue as the Council’s outside organization representative for Brentwood Leisure Trust, Cllr Wiles declared a non-pecuniary interest under the Council’s Code of Conduct by virtue as the Council’s outside organization representative for Brentwood Rugby Club and Cllr Clarke declared a non-pecuniary interest under the Council’s Code of Conduct by virtue as the Council’s outside organization representative for Hartswood Golf Course).