This report sets out the requirements to commence works on a feasibility study for the Brentwood Centre building which will inform the overall master planning for the Brentwood Centre site. At Extraordinary Council on 30 July 2019 members agreed the business case for the King George’s Playing Fields improvements which included a recommendation for officers to appoint a contractor to undertake a feasibility study for the development of a football hub on the Brentwood Centre site.

Subject to Members agreement to the allocation of £51k to commence the feasibility works, the preferred development envelope for the Centre will be identified, options on a preference of a refurbishment or a rebuild and to identify the indicative costs for each of these options. The feasibility works at this stage will provide high level options for the Council to consider which will need to be agreed by Members before more detailed works are commissioned, dependent on the preferred options coming out of this first stage.

It is also recommended that a Cross Party Working Group be established to look at whether the material function of the Brentwood Centre remains the same, that the core components are still relevant and to also look at other options to ensure that a viable facility mix is developed as part of the overall master planning for the site which will be key to the future success.

Cllr Kendall informed the Chair that the nominated Member from the Liberal Democrats and the Ward Member for Pilgrims Hatch will be Cllrs Aspinell and Mrs Davies.

Cllr Tumbridge MOVED and Cllr Mrs Hones SECONDED the recommendations in the report.

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

• That Members agree to the allocation of £51k to commence the feasibility works on the Brentwood Centre; and

• That a cross party working group be established with the Leader of the Council, Deputy Leader of the Council, Chair of Policy Resources and Economic Development, Chair of Community and Health Committee together with one nominated Member from the Liberal Democrats, one nominated Member from Labour and one nominated Pilgrims Hatch Ward Councillor representative that can provide input into the development of the proposals.

Reasons for Recommendation

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.

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.

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

The Brentwood Centre feasibility will support the majority of the workstreams of the Council’s Leisure Strategy.

The Brentwood Centre development supports the strategic improvement of sport, health and leisure facilities across the Borough which will support the health and wellbeing of the residents and visitors.