Issue - meetings

Report of the Leisure Services Team Manager

The Leisure Services Team Manager presented the report to members and provided an update on ongoing projects.

Owen Street Recreation Ground

The Leisure Services Team Manager reported that if the lights were upgraded, they would require an upgrade to 180 lux as opposed to the current 120 lux, which meant that it wouldn’t be possible to upgrade them utilising the current lamps as the existing columns and masts would be unable to support the lamps and the electricity supply would be insufficient.  He outlined the current health and safety issues with the floodlights as the glass was falling out and replacement covers were not available.  He highlighted the differing opinions from the contractors as to whether all the columns needed to be replaced or just the base columns, which would have an impact upon the cost of the replacement.  It was anticipated that the cost of refurbishment would be £35,000 - £45,000.  He highlighted the opportunity to replace the existing 6 columns with 4 columns, which would cost an additional £7,000.  He explained that £50,000 was allocated towards this project in the Capital Programme and the football club was prepared to raise funding of £5,000 towards the project.  He reminded members that ultimately the floodlights were the council’s asset and responsibility, and as they were posing a health and safety risk he felt the council was obligated to replace them. 

Councillor M B Wyatt expressed concerns regarding the level of expenditure and added that not everyone in Coalville was a football fan.

The Leisure Services Team Manager emphasised that this issue was more about health and safety and if someone was injured, the cost to the council would be significantly in excess of the cost of replacement.  

In response to questions from Councillor P Purver, the Leisure Services Team Manager advised that the earliest date the football club could apply for funding from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund was 2020 and an upgrade to 180 lux would be sufficient to cover a further two promotions. 

In response to a question from Councillor D Everitt, the Leisure Services Team Manager explained that the increased cost of upgrading to 4 columns rather than 6 was due to the re-siting of the columns and rerouting of cabling. 

Councillor J Legrys stated that he was conscious of the health and safety risks however members did not yet have all the facts and consequently were unable to make a recommendation.  He felt that this needed to be considered as a matter of urgency. 

The Leisure Services Team Manager suggested that members may wish to consider delegating the decision as waiting until the next meeting of the Working Party may prejudice the completion of the works out of season. 

In response to a question from Councillor N Clarke, the Leisure Services Team Manager advised that to upgrade with four columns rather than six would cost an additional £7,000.  Clarification was being sought following the differing views of the contractors and he suggested that if only the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21