Issue - meetings

1. That the Minimum Project Requirements as set out in paragraph 2 of the report are endorsed.
2. That the following be noted:-

(a)    the governance structure for the project at paragraph 3.

(b)    the consultation strategy for stakeholder and public consultation and the stakeholders identified in paragraph 5.

(c)    the indicative project timeline at paragraph 6.

Resolved to recommend

3.    That a sum of £65,000 for survey costs to help mitigate potential site risks and develop a more detailed scheme proposal for further approval be agreed.

Decision

1. That the Minimum Project Requirements as set out in paragraph 2 of the report are endorsed.
2. That the following be noted:-

(a)    the governance structure for the project at paragraph 3.

(b)    the consultation strategy for stakeholder and public consultation and the stakeholders identified in paragraph 5.

(c)    the indicative project timeline at paragraph 6.

Resolved to recommend

3.    That a sum of £65,000 for survey costs to help mitigate potential site risks and develop a more detailed scheme proposal for further approval be agreed.

Corporate objectives

Clean, Safe and Enjoyable Environment – Leisure provision is central to delivering a borough that people can enjoy.      

A new leisure facility will help to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of current and future residents.

Monitoring Officer

There are no legal issues to highlight at this stage as the report is recommending further feasibility and site due diligence work be carried out.

Deputy S.151 Officer:

The £65K funding for the site surveys would be drawn down from the Dacorum Development Reserve in 20/21.

Pending the final feasibility work a comprehensive funding proposal for the final scheme will be developed.

Advice

M Brookes highlighted points raised at the Housing and Community Scrutiny meeting including getting the facility mix right, equality measures and the building having high environmental standards. He added that Members wanted to ensure that a meaningful consultation process took place and all feedback taken on board and said that the stakeholder consultation begins this week. He said that there had been negative feedback regarding the use of Lagley Meadows.

Councillor Williams said that he was aware of concerns over Lagley Meadow but that they should not rule anything out at consultation.

Councillor Tindall reinforced the views of Berkhamsted Town Council that Berkhamsted has the largest shortfall in open space and that they did not want a further reduction but that they did welcome development.

Councillor Williams said that the Town Council and the broader community would be consulted and emphasised the importance of a cross-community consultation.

Councillor Griffiths stated that she believed she may have unintentionally misled the Town Council when saying that no decision had been taken. She clarified that a decision had been taken to redevelop the Sports Centre but that the details of this had not yet been decided.

The recommendations were agreed.