Meeting documents

Paragraph 3 - Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

 

Following agreement from the Cabinet, at the meeting held on 1 November 2016, the Council had carried out an informed public consultation on proposals to develop a new state of the art leisure and community facility to replace the existing Chiltern Pools, community centre, library and youth centre. The Cabinet therefore considered a report which set out the key findings of the consultation, opinion on the proposed development and proposed facility mix.

 

The report set out the following options:

 

1)     Stop the project and look at an alternative site.

2)     Progress with the proposal in its current location.

3)     Re-evaluate the site development option including the King George V site.

4)     Continue to operate the current Chiltern Pools.

 

Members were particularly pleased to note that there had been nearly 2500 responses to the consultation. Responses were received from a range of demographics across the community and the majority overwhelming supported the proposals. There was also a lot of support for the current facility and the proposed use of the existing site. The proposal for squash courts was less popular, but was still supported overall. There were some issues raised relating to the barns, parking, growth of the site, and access to the current site during construction, as well as the construction process itself. Other key comments included ensuring that the new development was accessible for older residents in particular.

 

The Services Overview Committee had also considered the report and supported the project.

 

The Cabinet expressed thanks to the huge team of people who went out in all weather to engage with the community and generate such a high level of response to the consultation in a short space of time. The range of responses from across the community was a fantastic achievement and thanks were expressed to everyone involved. Meetings held also been held with other interested parties and these had also been very positive and supportive of the project. The Council had developed significant expertise from other projects and it was noted that these skills and knowledge were being utilised to take this project forward.

 

The Leader then expressed thanks to Councillor Stannard in particular for his personal involvement in the project. It was noted that not all responses to the consultation had been positive, but that these concerns had been noted, and would be looked at so that they could be addressed. The consultation was a genuine example of asking the community for its views and then taking these on board to shape the proposals.

 

After consideration, the Cabinet then

 

RESOLVED:

 

1)        That the Director of Services be authorised to hold stakeholder negotiations to secure in principle agreement over developing the proposed community and leisure facility on the site off King George V Road/Avenue.

 

2)        That the detailed design and feasibility study be completed to consider the business case for the introduction of a spa and or flumes in the facility mix and the needs of the nursery, gateway disability club, youth club, community centre and library.

 

3)        That a further report be received on the options available to the Council in relation to the transitional arrangements that may be required during the development of the centre.

 

4)        That the OJEU compliant process to appoint the specialist design, project management and construction trades required for the project be noted.

 

5)        That a Project Board be established to oversee the overall management of the project to ensure that key milestones are achieved on time, within budget and in accordance with national standards and best practice.

 

6)        That the Head of Healthy Communities be authorised to prepare and submit a grant application to Sport England’s Strategic Facility Fund to support the project.

 

7)        That an external consultation forum consisting of key stakeholders (including but not exclusively Amersham Community Association, Lindfield Nursery, Amersham Swimming Club, Amersham Town Council, Amersham Action Group, Chiltern U3A, and Buckinghamshire County Council) be established to support and guide the Project Board move the project forward.

 

8)        That the outcome of the consultation be made publicly available to advise the community on the next steps.