Issue - meetings

This report seeks the approval of Full Council of an addition to the capital programme to fund the development of the new Splashes Sports Centre.

The report was considered by the Cabinet on 7 June 2022.

Background:

This report advised that in July 2021, the Cabinet had agreed to instruct officers to develop detailed proposals for a new Splashes Sports Centre in Rainham to provide modern, family-friendly sports and physical activity facilities in the east of Medway, complementing other Council sports facilities.

Following Cabinet’s decision, the previous sports centre had been demolished and a professional design team appointed through open tender to design a fun, family-friendly sports centre on the site of the previous centre. This had been funded using the £5m funding for Splashes redevelopment within the existing capital budget.

The latest report had been considered by the Cabinet on 7 June 2022. The Cabinet had recommended full Council to approve an addition of £12.850million to the Splashes Redevelopment Scheme in the Capital Programme to enable development of the new Splashes Sports Centre.

The Deputy Leader and Porfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services, Councillor Doe, supported by Councillor Kemp, proposed the recommendations set out in the report.

Councillor Maple, supported by Councillor Edwards, proposed the following amendment:

delete the following:

11.1    “The Council is asked to approve an addition of £12.850million to the Splashes Redevelopment Scheme in the Capital Programme to enable development of the new Splashes Sports Centre.”

and replace with:

11.1    “… notes the Cabinet decision on 7^th June 2022.”

11.2    “Council asks officers to prepare a detailed report on:

a.    What options there are to find the ongoing £918,953 revenue costs  proposed in this agenda item.

b.    A estimate of the likely budget subsidy recognising increases in areas such as staffing and utilities since it was stopped.

This report to be received with the substantive Splashes report to the October 6th Full Council.”

11.3  “Furthermore, Council requests an up to date review of all Medway’s leisure and sports facilities to reassure Members on the condition of the buildings and associated infrastructure. This will be of benefit both to avoid similar problems to the one that led to the demolition of the Splashes complex and help with the review of our estate needed for our Climate Action Plan. This review will be received by the Regeneration, Culture and Environment Overview and Scrutiny committee prior to Cabinet.”

Amended recommendations read:

11.1    “The Council notes the Cabinet decision on 7th June 2022.”

11.2    “Council asks officers to prepare a detailed report on:

a.    What options there are to find the ongoing £918,953 revenue costs  proposed in this agenda item.

b.    A estimate of the likely budget subsidy recognising increases in areas such as staffing and utilities since it was stopped.

This report to be received with the substantive Splashes report to the October 6th Full Council.”

11.3   “Furthermore, Council requests an up to date review of all Medway’s leisure and sports facilities to reassure Members on the condition of the buildings and associated infrastructure. This will be of benefit both to avoid similar problems to the one that led to the demolition of the Splashes complex and help with the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 120

Background:

This report advised that in July 2021, the Cabinet had agreed to instruct officers to develop detailed proposals for a new Splashes Sports Centre in Rainham to provide modern, family-friendly sports and physical activity facilities in the east of Medway, complementing other Council sports facilities.

Following Cabinet’s decision, the previous sports centre had been demolished and a professional design team appointed through open tender to design a fun, family-friendly sports centre on the site of the previous centre. This had been funded using the £5m funding for Splashes redevelopment within the existing capital budget.

The report asked the Cabinet to recommend Full Council to approve an addition to the capital budget to fund the development of the new Splashes Sports Centre.

Reasons:

An addition to the capital budget of £12.850million will allow the development of Splashes Sports Centre to proceed in accordance with Cabinet approval from July 2021 and subsequent consideration by the Splashes project board.