Agenda item

Executive Summary

To advise Council of Government funding for the proposed Fakenham Leisure and Sports Hub facility and outline the steps the Council will now take to deliver this large and exciting project in the coming months

Options considered

·         Proceed with the development and delivery of this exciting sport and wellbeing project for Fakenham with the Government funding pledged towards the project

·         Resolve not to proceed with the project

Consultation(s)

The original plans for the Fakenham Leisure and Sports Hub proposal were the subject of extensive consultation with overwhelming public support expressed for the proposed facility.  As the project is taken forward there will be further consultation and engagement with key stakeholders and partners and the public details of which are provided in the report.

Recommendations

It is recommended that:-

1.    Full Council welcomes the Government funding of £9.856million awarded towards the cost of the Fakenham Leisure and Sports Hub project.  The Council further recognises that confirmation of the Government funding will allow plans for the new facility to be taken forward in the coming months.

2.    Council approves the establishment of a Capital Budget of £11million for the Fakenham Leisure and Sports Hub project within the Capital Programme.

3.    Council approves the funding of this project made up of £9.856million of Levelling Up Fund (central government) monies, £0.408million Section 106 monies, £0.575million from the Football Foundation and the value of the land contributed by Fakenham Town Council.  Any shortfall in this funding will need to be funded by the Council, for which borrowing will be taken.

4.    Council approves the project management and governance arrangements for the project as outlined in Section 3 of the report.

5.    Council agrees that a traditional procurement process would disadvantage the Council due to the timescales involved and supports an exemption under the Contract Procedure rules to appoint the consultants, FMG Consulting, who have previously worked on this project, as principal advisors to the Council in the development and delivery of the Fakenham Leisure and Sports Hub proposal.

6.    Subject to recommendation 3 above, delegated authority is given to the Director of Communities to appoint FMG Consulting to advise the Council on the detailed design, construction and tender processes for the project including the submission of a planning application for the development.

7.    Council requires that tender prices received are reported to Council for approval before any construction contract is awarded as a key “gate” point in the delivery of the project.

Reasons for recommendations

To establish the necessary project management and  governance framework and financial monitoring arrangements for the Fakenham Leisure and Sports Hub project

Background papers

Report to Full Council – 27^th July 2022

Wards affected

Fakenham wards (Lancaster North and South); and wards in the west of the district including Briston, Priory, Stibbard, Stody, The Raynhams, Walsingham; Wells with Holkham.

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Tim Adams, Leader of the Council

Contact Officer

Steve Blatch, Chief Executive

Email:- steve.blatch@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Tel:- 01263 516232

Links to key documents:

Corporate Plan:          

The 2023-2027 Corporate Plan themes - Developing our Communities and A Strong, Responsible and Accountable Council

Corporate Governance:

Is this a key decision 

Yes

Has the public interest test been applied

Yes – there is no private or confidential information to be considered by this report

Details of any previous decision(s) on this matter

N/A