Decision details

RESOLVED:

1. Recommend to Council to approve the allocation of a maximum of £845,609.17 to progress the project to build a standalone 8x25m swimming pool with learner pool and splash pad to RIBA Stages 2 and 3.

2. Delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer in consultation with the Leader of the Council, Strategic Advisor to the Chief Executive and Leader and the Portfolio Holder for Business to enter into an Access Agreement Leisure to progress the project to RIBA Stage 3.

3. Note that a future report will return with the full business case in March 2027 for a final decision on whether to proceed with the project.

RECOMMENDED:

That Council:

1. Approve the allocation of a maximum of £845,609.17 from reserves to fund the new Lynnsport Project through to RIBA Stage 3.

2. Delegate authority to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Finance, to determine the appropriate reserve to fund the work.

REASON FOR DECISION:

To progress the project to build a new standalone swimming pool at Lynnsport to RIBA Stage 3 to provide the Council with the final design, project cost-certainty and business case to provide members with the information required to determine whether to proceed to the construction of the new pool.

The timing of this decision reflects both the condition of the existing facility and the maturity of the work undertaken to date. St James Swimming Pool is continuing to deteriorate, with increasing maintenance requirements, rising operating costs and a growing risk to the long-term continuity of swimming provision. Progressing to the next steps now will maintain project momentum and preserve the value of the work already undertaken.