Agenda item

To receive an update on the Sheringham Leisure Centre Project.

Cllr V Gay – Portfolio Holder for Culture & Wellbeing introduced the report and expressed her gratitude to officers for preparing it. It was noted that answers had been provided to written questions in advance of the meeting, though annual maintenance and running costs of the existing Splash facility would be provided once the information had been gathered. On cost overruns, Cllr V Gay stated that approximately £200k of the contingency funds remained unspent, and that all individuals involved in the project had done their upmost to avoid any further expenditure. On professional fees, it was reported that approximately £15k had been required at various stages throughout the project.

In response to Cllr J Rest’s written question, which asked whether the existing Splash facility should be demolished to avoid further expenditure, Cllr V Gay stated that she did not yet feel there were grounds to make a decision on what was prudent, given the current circumstances. It was noted that there had been unexpected expenditure for repairs to the facility, but it was ready to reopen at the start of the lockdown period. It was expected that gyms would be allowed to reopen from 25^th July, with swimming facilities from 22^nd August. Cllr V Gay stated that though these dates were clear, an opening date for the Splash facility was not yet known. It was suggested that additional Government funding may be available to support gyms and leisure centers, though it was not yet known if Splash would be eligible.

Cllr V Gay reported that the cost of delays to the construction of the new facility was approximately £130k, though the original proposal relied on continued income from the existing facility until completion. On that basis, the Council had promised to maintain the old facility until that point. It was noted that there were also contractual obligations, and the Council had a duty to provide services for residents within the District. Cllr V Gay stated that despite concerns regarding the possibility of a local lockdown in the future, she hoped that all of the Council’s leisure facilities would reopen shortly.

Questions and Discussion

  i.         Cllr L Shires stated asked if she was missing any details that would bring her to the conclusion that closing the existing facility would be prudent.

 ii.        Cllr L Withington stated that she was not expecting to see a suggestion to close the existing facility, and asked for clarification of Cllr Rest’s suggestion to the Committee. The Chairman replied that whilst Cllr J Rest was not a Committee Member, he had suggested that analysis of closing the existing Splash facility should be undertaken, to determine whether it would aid the development of the new facility.

iii.        Cllr N Housden stated that had sought to determine the viability of the existing Splash facility, given the current restrictions. He then proposed that an investigation should be undertaken to determine the viability of maintaining the existing Splash facility until the new site had opened, with the inclusion of a cost-benefit analysis.

iv.        Cllr P Heinrich stated that it would be very difficult to deny residents the use of the existing facility, and whilst there would be costs involved in maintaining that facility, there would also be costs incurred from an early closure, as a result of contractual obligations. He added that demolishing the existing facility early could take up to twelve months to arrange, and urged the Committee to consider the intangible impact of closing the facility on residents.

 v.         Cllr N Pearce stated that he was supportive of requesting a study to determine the viability of maintaining the existing facility. The Chairman clarified that ultimately the decision would fall to Cabinet, but O&S would be able to make a recommendation one way or another.

vi.        Cllr G Mancini-Boyle noted that Central Government was in the process of arranging additional funding for gyms and leisure centers, and this would need to be taken into account if a viability study was undertaken.

vii.        Cllr E Spagnola stated that support for the new facility was already strained, and many residents of Sheringham and surrounding areas were dependent on the existing facility for exercise and support, therefore she could not support closing the facility early. The Chairman reminded Members that the Committee was discussing a potential viability study and would not be making any recommendations on closure for the time being. Cllr L Shires suggested that any analysis should include a comparison between Splash and the Council’s other leisure facilities.

viii.        The HECD shared photos and a time lapse video of progress on the new leisure centre.

ix.        Cllr J Rest reiterated that the he hoped the Committee would recommend that a viability study is undertaken, as continuing to fund the existing facility could delay the opening of the new site. Cllr A Varley stated that he welcomed a financial viability study, but suggested that it should also include consideration of the physical and mental wellbeing of residents.

 x.         Cllr H Blathwayt asked whether the demolition of the existing Splash would hinder the building of the new facility, and added that he was supportive of undertaking a viability study.

xi.        Cllr N Pearce seconded Cllr N Housden’s proposal to recommend to Cabinet that a viability study including a cost-benefit analysis be undertaken to determine the viability of maintaining the existing Splash facility until the new site is completed.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the report.

2.    To recommend to Cabinet that a viability study including a cost-benefit analysis be undertaken to determine the viability of maintaining the existing Splash facility, and its impact on building the new facility.