Agenda item

To receive a briefing on the progress of the Splash Leisure Centre Project.

Cllr V Gay – Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing introduced the update and informed Members that there had been no change to the expected opening date or the budget, and that work remained on-track. It was reported that the construction contingency now stood at £119k, and the re-siting of a problematic gas main would cost an estimated £27k. Communications of the project was noted to be moving forward, with a website now online for the public to view.

Questions and Discussion

The PPM introduced the website and talked Members through each area that could be used to update the public on the project’s progress. It was noted that a time-lapse video of the construction would soon be available. The PPM noted that the old Splash was still open for business during construction and had remained open over the Christmas period. She added that there were now 160 individuals signed-up to receive email updates on the project, and it was expected that the website would be able to answer many of the public’s questions and concerns.

Cllr N Pearce noted that within the update it was stated that there was a continued risk from the potential failure of the old site before the new facility was complete. He therefore asked when the old facility was due to close. The CD (SB) replied that the old facility would remain open until the new facility was complete.

Following a question from Cllr N Housden, it was confirmed that officers hoped to have links to the time-lapse videos of the project working imminently. Cllr N Housden noted his concerns that due to a lack of capacity in the Communications Team, major opportunities to promote the project that had been missed. Cllr V Gay replied that the website was part of the work being done to improve the promotion of the project, and noted that capacity in the Communications Team was a known issue that was under review. She asked if Members received a copy of the Metnor newsletter. Cllr N Housden confirmed that he had received a copy of the newsletter at the last meeting, but it did not adequately promote the project as hoped.

Cllr N Housden referred to the Council’s website and stated that despite declaring a climate emergency, there was no content on sustainability or actions being taken as a result of the declaration. The Chairman asked if there was any environmental proposals on the Council’s website. The CD (SB) replied that capacity issues in the Communications Team had limited the ability of the Council to develop its website content, and added that a job advert would be published for the Communications Manager position the following week. Cllr W Fredericks noted that the Council’s website help system was very poor, and asked whether it was necessary for the website to be added to the Committee’s Work Programme for review, to which Members were receptive.

It was proposed by Cllr P Heinrich and seconded by Cllr W Fredericks to note the update.

RESOLVED

To note the update.