Issue - meetings

B Report of the Director for Environment and Culture

1.      Cabinet has approved the Facilities Strategy, attached to the Cabinet report and produced by Knight, Kavanagh and Page (KKP), as the basis for future development of such facilities.

2.      It is noted that the Strategy will form part of the robust evidence base for the Local Development Framework (LDF), and that further consultation of the Strategy and proposals within it which are proposed to be adopted by the LDF will take place as part of the LDF process.

Councillor Clarke addressed Cabinet and asked why this report had been deemed necessary when a similar report had been produced previously on behalf of the WNDC at some considerable cost. He pointed out contradictions between the two reports and asked to which one the Cabinet was agreeing.  He referred to the content of the report, suggesting errors in relation to local sports provision and their impact on other local towns.

Councillor Mildren addressed Cabinet. He conceded that the report was well written but questioned the resource implications and queried why there had been no details about the costs in the budget consultation documents. He was concerned about the requirement to work with the NCC and felt that the issue of running costs had not been adequately addressed.

Councillor Hawkins addressed cabinet commenting that the document was rather thin.  She asked the Portfolio Holder to explain the implications of the report for the people in her Ward of Eastfield.

As the relevant Portfolio Holder, Councillor P D Varnsverry presented the report to Cabinet. He outlined the need for such a strategy in order to deliver the health agenda and mentioned the partnership working that had taken place with the Primary Care Trust.

Cabinet commented on the significant investment requirement and revenue implications that were implied in the report and its implementation would therefore require innovative ways of service provision. The report was welcomed as a benefit to the sustainable communities agenda, particularly with the proposed provision of leisure and sports facilities to serve the growing population of the town. There was also positive feedback on the proposal to improve school facilities and to make them available for community use.

RESOLVED

1.      That Cabinet approve the Facilities Strategy, attached to the Cabinet report and produced by Knight, Kavanagh and Page (KKP), as the basis for future development of such facilities.

2.      That Cabinet notes that the Strategy will form part of the robust evidence base for the Local Development Framework (LDF), and that further consultation of the Strategy and proposals within it which are proposed to be adopted by the LDF will take place as part of the LDF process.