Agenda item

Matter considered by the Cabinet

Minutes:

a)           White Oak Leisure Centre: New Build and operator procurement contract awards

 

Councillor Fleming proposed and Councillor Dyball seconded, the recommendation from Cabinet.  The report sought approval to construct a new leisure centre, demolish the existing White Oak Leisure Centre and appoint a leisure operator for the new centre, along with provision of some enhancements to the Orchards Academy sports hall in Swanley in order to accommodate sports clubs who required a 4 court sports hall.

 

The Leader stated the report brought together more than five years work, and was the single largest capital project and investment the Council had carried out in over 30 years.  He explained the history of searching for a viable site as it had always been the intention to keep a facility open and running throughout any build.

 

Working with consultants, plans had been drawn up and engagement undertaken resulting in changes to the plans being made throughout an interactive process.  These had included a larger multi-purpose hall, an increase in size of the multi-use rooms and the inclusion of pool side seating to allow the swimming club to run their first galas and competitions in their home pool.  No commitment had ever been made to build a like for like replacement.

 

The majority of the existing building had been constructed in 1967 and had come to the end of its serviceable life, supported over the last five years with short term measures, put in place to keep the building safe.   Whilst the sports hall was ‘only’ 45 years old, he did not believe it made sense to graft a new modern facility onto it, even if it were possible.   He believed that Swanley and the northern parishes deserved the massive investment in the new modern facility for generations to come.

 

£20m was the single largest investment anywhere in the district for over 30 years.  The Council’s project was fully costed and updated in light of the current pandemic, and was the result of a full market analysis.   The plans had both a full updated risk assessment with contingencies built in, and the contract was a fixed price within usual parameters.

 

The preferred leisure operator had tendered for the contract based on the proposed centre design and facilities, which would help maximise flexibility of space, usage, income and support changing customer needs.  He advised that many more clubs would be affected by the closure of the centre for up to 18 months if either of the alternative plans put forward in writing to Members were progressed.  Following site visits and assessments, provision would be made to refurbish the Orchards Academy to ensure its suitability.

 

Beyond the clubs and their members, the Council had a responsibility to all its residents.  The health outcomes for two of the Swanley Wards, including Swanley White Oak, were the worst in the district and amongst the worst in Kent. Residents were just not using the current facilities, which was why a modern, accessible, prominent leisure centre was needed in Swanley more than anywhere else in the district.  The new centre would provide more spaces for people to meet and interact, providing an open, bright and welcoming environment.  The new operator would play a key role in helping to reduce health inequalities by encouraging more people to get active.

 

He stated that a new purpose built leisure centre, the single largest capital investment by this council in over 30 years alongside the development of two other major sites in the town, demonstrated Sevenoaks District Council’s unwavering commitment to both regenerating the town and improving the lives of those who lived there.

 

The Leader called for a recorded vote, due to the importance of the scheme.

 

More than four other Members rose from their seats and indicated their agreement with the request for a recorded vote on the main motion.

 

Concern was expressed during debate on the condition and suitability of Orchards Academy, the times it would be available i.e. evenings only, along with safety and security concerns.

 

The following amendment was moved by Cllr Clayton and seconded by Councillor Andrews, it was to precede recommendation (a) of the motion:

 

‘Subject to the plans for provision of the alternative sports hall (Orchards Academy) meeting minimum standards required by club users, and having regard to the need identified by Sport England,’.

 

The meeting adjourned at 8.32 p.m., due to it becoming apparent that the meeting was no longer live streaming.

 

The meeting reconvened at 8.33 p.m.

 

The Chairman went to call a vote on the amendment.

 

The meeting adjourned again at 8.34 p.m., as again the meeting was no longer live streaming.

 

The meeting reconvened again at 8.35 p.m.

 

The amendment was then put to the vote, to ensure clarity due to it being a virtual meeting, a roll call was taken.  There was a clear majority vote against the proposed amendment, which was therefore lost.

 

Debate continued on the motion.

 

The motion before Members was put to the vote and a recorded vote taken of those present.

 

For

Against

Abstention

Cllr Abraham

Cllr Ball

Cllr Barnett

Cllr Bayley

Cllr Clack

Cllr Penny Cole

Cllr Perry Cole

Cllr Coleman

Cllr Collins

Cllr Dickins

Cllr Dyball

Cllr Edwards-Winser

Cllr Esler

Cllr Eyre

Cllr Firth

Cllr Fleming

Cllr Foster

Cllr Grint

Cllr Harrison

Cllr Hogarth

Cllr Hunter

Cllr Layland

Cllr London

Cllr Maskell

Cllr McArthur

Cllr McGregor

Cllr Nelson

Cllr Osborne-Jackson

Cllr Parkin

Cllr Pender

Cllr Pett

Cllr Piper

Cllr Raikes

Cllr Reay

Cllr Roy

Cllr Thornton

Cllr Waterton

Cllr Andrews

Cllr Barnes

Cllr Dr Canet

Cllr Clayton

Cllr G Darrington

Cllr P Darrington

Cllr Fothergill

Cllr Griffiths

Cllr Hudson

Cllr Kitchener

Cllr McGarvey

Cllr Purves

Cllr Mrs Morris

37

12

1

 

It was therefore

 

Resolved: That

 

a)   a Development Management Agreement be entered into with Alliance Leisure Services Limited (ALS) for the construction of a new leisure centre and demolition of the existing White Oak Leisure Centre, at a cost of £19,852,464 including improvements to the 4 court sports hall at Orchards Academy; in addition, the sum of £147,536 be used by the Council for any ancillary work outside the ALS contract, making a project total of £20m as set out below;

 

Cost details                                                                           

Construction Costs (ISG)

£17,336,000

Tag Active & Toddlers Play Equipment (Play Revolution)

£600,000

Fitness Suite Equipment (Technogym)

£327,205

Feel Good Suite Equipment (Shapemaster)

£70,550

Misc Furniture, Fittings & Equipment

£54,803

ALS Delivery fee

£284,919

UK Leisure Framework access fee

£57,405

Project Management fee

£424,810

Clerk of Works

£35,000

Principal Designer fee

£22,000

Client Contingency

£509,772

Orchards Academy sports hall work

£130,000

Ancillary works and contingency outside main contract 

£147,536

Total

£20,000,000

 

 

 

b)   a Leisure Operating Contract be entered into with Sport and Leisure Management Ltd (SLM), the preferred operator, to operate the new White Oak Leisure Centre providing income of £7.623m over 15 years. The income from that Leisure Operating Contract to be used to service the loan taken out for the purposes of building the leisure centre;

 

c)    the development and subsequent disposal of the following sites in Swanley:        White Oak Leisure Centre; Bevan Place; Alder Way; Russett Way; 27-37 High Street; and     Woodlands, be approved, the proceeds of which to be earmarked within the Council’s capital receipts to fund the cost of the leisure centre;

 

d)   the funding for the scheme be approved as follows

 

i)     CIL funding £0.9m

ii)    Capital receipts £10.63m

iii)   External borrowing £8.0m

iv)    Total £19.53m

     

      noting that the split of funding may change due to actual development and disposal proceeds and the cost of borrowing at the time loans were taken out, and that additional funding may be required if the above amounts were not achieved; and

 

 e) authority be delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council to make necessary changes to the Development Management Agreement with Alliance Leisure Services (ALS), to the Leisure Operating Contract and to the funding of the project provided that such changes do not place any financial burden on the Council other than the use of those sources mentioned in the report.

 

 

 

Supporting documents:

 

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