Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor N J Rushton.

Under the Code of Conduct members are reminded that in declaring disclosable interests you should make clear the nature of that interest and whether it is pecuniary or non-pecuniary.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no questions received.

Minutes of the meeting held on 17 October 2017.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 17 October 2017.

It was moved by Councillor R Blunt, seconded by Councillor A V Smith and

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 October 2017 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Reason for decision: To comply with the Constitution.

The officers consider that the press and public should be excluded during consideration of the following items in accordance with Section 100(a) of the Local Government Act 1972 as publicity would be likely to result in disclosure of exempt or confidential information.

RESOLVED THAT:

In pursuance of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting on the grounds that the business to be transacted involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that the public interest in maintaining this exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Reason for decision: To enable the consideration of exempt information.

Report of the Interim Strategic Director of Place

Presented by the Community Services Portfolio Holder

The Community Services Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members.

It was moved by Councillor A V Smith, seconded by Councillor T Gillard and

RESOLVED THAT:

a)       The financial and affordability model in respect of the project, including the requirement to borrow externally and consequential changes to the budget and policy framework be noted, and recommended to Council for approval at its meeting on 21 November 2017.

b)       The outcome of the ground investigations of the A511 site be noted and recommended to Council for approval as the site for the new leisure centre at its meeting on 21 November 2017.

c)       The authority to carry out a lawful procurement and award a contract to implement the project within affordability and agreed output parameters as set out in the report, be delegated to the Strategic Director of Place in consultation with the Community Services Portfolio Holder.

d)       The further financial commitment from General Fund Reserves as detailed within the report be approved to fund the legal and technical support required for the procurement process through to completion.

e)       Financial Construct B be approved as the Council’s stance for negotiations with bidders through the competitive dialogue process and that it be noted that further analysis work would continue to ensure that the Council achieved the most economical advantageous financial construct through the process.

f)        The significant change to the staff establishment under Section 4 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 due to the transfer of staff from the Council to a leisure contractor be noted.  The changes would be detailed by the Head if Paid Service in the report to Council at its meeting on 21 November 2017.

g)       Elected Members be engaged, briefed and updated on the progress and key milestone stages throughout the procurement process through the appropriate reporting forum, the Strategic Director of Place, the Chief Executive and Community Services Portfolio Holder.

Reason for decision:  to provide officers with delegated authority to implement and deliver the project within approved parameters.