Report and Appendices To Follow

At the 27 February 2019 Ordinary Council meeting Members agreed to the inclusion of £7m for the development of King George’s Playing Fields within the Capital Program as part of the budget setting process. It was agreed at 23 January 2019 Policy Projects and Resources Committee that expenditure would only occur subject to the full business plan and operating model details being approved by a future Policy, Projects and Resources Committee (or relevant committee).

A report (Appendix A) and business plan (Appendix B) for King George’s Playing Fields improvements were provided at 10 July Policy, Resources and Economic Development Committee meeting for consideration where Members requested some further information. It was therefore recommended that the report and further information (set out in Appendix C, D and E) be submitted to Extraordinary Council on 30 July 2019 as well as a request for an additional £173,000 to be allocated to the capital programme to support the delivery of the project.

The business plan had looked at a number of options for the pavilion and the outdoor adventure play to ensure that the business model for the improvements was both financially viable and supported the needs of the community both now and in the future. The Football Hub Development was also included within the business plan as it was intrinsically linked to the King George’s Playing Fields improvements.

Cllr Hossack MOVED and Cllr Poppy SECONDED the recommendations in the report and following a discussion a recorded vote was requested and Members voted as follows:

FOR:  Cllrs Aspinell, Barrett, Dr Barrett, Bridge, Clarke, Jon Cloke, Sarah Cloke, Mrs Davies, Mrs Fulcher, Fryd, Haigh, Hirst, Mrs Hones, Hossack, Jakobsson, Keeble, Kendall, Kerslake, Laplain, Lewis, McCheyne, Morrissey, Naylor, Mynott, Parker, Mrs Pearson, Poppy, Mrs Pound, Reed, Miss Sanders, Tanner, Mrs Tierney and Tumbridge (33)

AGAINST:  (0)

ABSTAIN:  (0)

The MOTION was CARRIED and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

1.    That Members agree to the recommendations in the business plan: 

In particular agree to: 

1.            Option 4 for the pavilion building

2.            Option 2 for the Splash Pad

3.            Option 2 for the outdoor adventure play

4.            Option 3 for the operating model

2.         Members approve that the total budget allocation of £7.173m is included in the capital programme and approve the drawdown of funds to support the delivery of the project

3.  Installation of a new changing places facility that will support the outdoor play activities

4. Agree for officers to commence a procurement exercise to appoint a contractor to undertake the football feasibility works to support the football hub development at the Brentwood Centre site 

Reasons for Recommendation

1. As part of the Council’s due diligence in delivery a successful Leisure Strategy, Members and officers need to have a complete picture of the current associated costs, risk profiles of the Borough’s Leisure facilities and identify opportunities for income generation.

2.    Comments 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.

3.    The Council’s Asset Management Strategy 2014/15 also sets out the need to obtain and maximise income where possible from its asset portfolio. 

4.    The KGPF improvements support all six workstreams of the Leisure Strategy Built Facilities, Play Areas, Sport. Open Spaces, Health and Wellbeing and Governance Arrangements.

5.    The Football Hub Development supports the strategic improvement and development of grassroots football across the Borough which will support a number of football clubs.

6.    Both sites will provide a much improved fully inclusive offer of activities and facilities for residents and families.

7.    The new pavilion will provide a more energy efficient and effective building.

8.    Any delay in the decision-making process will impact on planning and build timelines for the project and therefore impact on the financial allocation for the project. Some of the surveys required for the planning application have to be done in a timely manner, so any delay may result in those surveys having to be repeated incurring additional costs to the Council in the region of £64,000. The impact could also delay the Council getting to cost certainty and the possibility of increased build costs as a result.