Meeting documents

To note and comment on the report considered by Cabinet on 1 November 2016.

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

The Committee received a report that had been considered by the Cabinet at a meeting held on 1 November 2016, which provided an update on the outcome of the Chiltern Pools Feasibility Study, and sought agreement to undertake a public consultation to test the key findings that were being recommended. It was noted that the Cabinet had agreed at the meeting held on 1 November 2016 to undertake an informed public consultation to assess public opinion on the development of a new community / leisure facility and identify gaps in leisure provision and the associated funding for this.

During the discussion the following key points were made:

The potential new facility would be required to meet environmental standards and be built to a high standard of quality. Technology such as photo voltaic panels, ground source heat pumps, air recirculation and combined heat and power could help to achieve this.

The list of proposed facilities was developed in light of evidence on the leisure needs of the area and potential income. There was a discussion on the anticipated popularity of different facilities, including squash courts and flumes. The public consultation would inform the proposals.

The Council was working hard to encourage responses to the public consultation. This included leafleting and canvassing high street shopping areas and promotion through the local press.

Members were keen to encourage all stakeholders to respond to the consultation, but community groups, particularly those that already use the current facilities were identified as being very important in helping to inform the proposals. It was noted that all community groups would be consulted.

Members had received views from community groups regarding maintaining the leisure and community provision whilst the proposed new facility was built. It was noted that, whilst much of the detail was pending the outcome of the public consultation and would form part of the next stage of the project, the construction of the proposed new facility would be arranged in a way that ensured that community needs continued to be met. Community groups were therefore key stakeholders for developing the proposals. No decision had been made on the future use of the current site if a new facility was built.

It was suggested that the community zone be located on the ground floor for accessibility reasons. It was noted that the potential new facility would need to meet building regulations, accessibility requirements, and the community space would be larger than the current provision.

Councillor J MacBean advised that she was on the Chesham Elgiva Board, and highlighted that there were similarities in service provision between the Elgiva and the proposed new facility. It was considered important that the proposed new facility complemented the provision of other local community facilities, rather than compete with facilities such as the Elgiva. Information sharing and encouraging responses to the public consultation were therefore important.

Following a discussion on the Council’s governance arrangements, Members suggested that providing information about the consultation at an earlier stage would have been beneficial. It was noted that the Cabinet had agreed to bring forward the start of the consultation so that it could be carried out at the same time as the Local Plan Green Belt preferred options consultation.

 

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.