Decision details

RESOLVED: Cabinet resolves to:

1. Approve the West Norfolk Racket and Community Sports Hub at Lynnsport at a cost of £2.2m.

2. Subject to approval for the funding by full council, to progress the project from Tier 3 to Tier 1 of the Capital Programme and for delivery and progress to be reported to an monitored by the Member Major Projects Board.

RECOMMENDED: That Full Council:

1. Approve an increase to the councils contribution from £866,000 to £1,200,000 to fund the scheme, an increase of £334,000.

2. Delegate authority to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, to determine the most appropriate financing mix for the councils £1,200,000 funding of the project.

REASON FOR DECISION:

1. To enable the Council to secure significant, time-bound national funding from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) to deliver the multi-activity hub. Cabinet approval is required to authorise the necessary capital investment, formalise match funding commitments, and resolve immediate peak-time indoor capacity pressures at Lynnsport. 

2. Furthermore, a Cabinet decision is necessary to align the Council's capital assets with corporate strategic objectives around unlocking long-term social value and tackling health inequalities in priority communities. While this report seeks approval for additional capital investment, the proposal should be viewed as a wider place-making and prevention initiative rather than simply an expansion of leisure facilities.