Issue - meetings

Decision

That Cabinet agree for officers to carry out further feasibility work and develop a scheme proposal for consideration and public consultation based on Option 3: New Build

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND;

That Cabinet recommend Council agree a sum of £55,000 for consultancy and professional fees to develop a scheme proposal for further approval and public consultation.

Corporate objectives

Clean, Safe and Enjoyable Environment – Leisure provision is central to delivering a borough that people can enjoy. Improvement of the facility will help to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of current and future residents.

Monitoring Officer/S.151 Officer comments

Monitoring Officer 

There are no legal issues to highlight at this stage as the report is recommending further feasibility work be carried out. The outcome of that feasibility work on the preferred option should be reported back to Cabinet for further consideration in due course.

S.151 Officer

The £55k cost of the feasibility study could be funded from the Dacorum Development Reserve in 2019/20.

Advice

Councillor D Collins introduced the report. The council are committed to providing high quality leisure facilities aimed at encouraging people to exercise and play. In 2016, the council commissioned a review of facilities across the borough and a detailed review into Berkhamsted Sports Centre was carried out in 2018. There were four options to consider: a minor refurbishment, a major refurbishment, a new facility or a mega facility shared across the borough. The fourth option has not been pursued as it was felt important to continue providing facilities in both Hemel Hempstead and Berkhamsted. Cabinet are asked to agree an option to pursue. The overall objective is to secure a modern leisure facility in Berkhamsted.

The discussion moved into part 2. Full details are in the part 2 minutes.