To consider Report No. REG2307 (copy attached), which sets out the latest position in relation to the delivery of a Leisure and Cultural Hub in Farnborough.
Presented By:Cllr Martin Tennant, Major Projects and Property Portfolio Holder
Minutes:
The Cabinet considered Report No. REG2307, which set out an update on the
current position in relation to the Leisure and Cultural Hub project and the
next steps required to progress its delivery.
The Cabinet was informed that, in order to move forward the delivery of
the new Leisure and Cultural Hub and meet the timescales associated with the
Levelling Up funding awarded to the Council, it was now necessary to determine
the final project scope and the schedule of accommodation to be included in the
design. The Report also set out arrangements for the submission of planning
applications, the commencement of negotiations regarding the sale of
Council-owned land and the termination of associated leases to enable the
construction of a mobility hub. Members also heard regarding the approach and
timing for the Leisure Operator procurement and the budget required to complete
the pre-construction phases of the project, along with the associated funding
strategy and risks.
Members were informed that there were proposed amendments to the Report
in respect of the wording of Recommendations 1, 2 and 3. In particular, the approach
to finalise the sustainability and design, based on return-on-investment
modelling, would now be considered by the Cabinet at its meeting on 17th
October and would not be delegated, as had originally been proposed.
The Cabinet expressed strong support for the suggested approach for the
progression of the project and considered that this would provide residents
with excellent, modern facilities on the site.
The Cabinet RESOLVED that
(i)
the scope of the Leisure
and Cultural Hub project, as set out in Report No. REG2307, as amended at the
meeting, be approved as follows;
(a)
Leisure and Cultural Hub
to include:
-
Leisure Centre with the
revised facilities mix, as set out in paragraph 3.12 of the Report
-
Shared café/bar with
space for performance
-
Library and associated
community space
-
Cultural space including
art gallery, digital lab, collaboration space and studios
-
Customer access to
Council and voluntary sector services
-
Council Offices
-
Meeting rooms
(b)
Mobility Hub (circa 350
spaces)
(c)
Skate park
(d)
Play area;
(ii)
the progression of
design development to RIBA Stage 3, planning submission and associated costs of
up to £1,050 million, as set out in the Report, as amended at the meeting, be
approved;
(iii)
the decision on the
approach to sustainability for the building would be based on
return-on-investment modelling and would be considered by the Cabinet at its
meeting on 17th October, 2023;
(iv)
the project timetable,
decision getaways and dependencies, as set out in the Report, be noted;
(v)
the intended land
assembly process, as set out in the Confidential Appendix 1 of the Report, be
approved;
(vi)
the estimated project
budget and current funding strategy, as set out in the Report, be noted;
(vii)
the overall operator
procurement and appointment approach, as set out in the Report, be approved;
(viii)
the immediate
commencement of the operator procurement process, in accordance with the draft
contract specification and conditions outlined in Appendices 2 and 3 of the
Report, be approved;
(ix)
the Executive Head of
Operations, in consultation with the Operational Services Portfolio Holder, be
authorised to amend the procurement documentation, as required, throughout the
process; and
(x)
the extending of the
existing contract with Places Leisure to operate the Aldershot Pools and Lido,
as set out in the Report, be approved, for a period of up to twelve months
whilst the leisure operator procurement process is undertaken.
Supporting documents: