Agenda and draft minutes

At this point, Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interest they may have in the business on the agenda.

Members were invited to declare at this point in the meeting any personal or prejudicial interests they might have in the business on the agenda.  Cllr Waller declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in agenda item 3 (Referred Item: Review of the Leisure Facilities Strategy (Swimming)), as a governor of York High School.

To re-consider the decisions taken by the Executive on 23 October 2007 on the Review of the Leisure Facilities Strategy (Swimming), in the light of the advice offered by the Strategic Policy Panel (SSP) on this item.  The item was referred to the SPP by Cllr David Scott, Leader of the Labour Group, for the following reasons:

“(a) We consider that [the Executive] should have chosen Option b(ii) with an added recommendation that an all party working party be established which would report back to the appropriate EMAP and/or Executive Committee with a view to the implementing the decision to build a City Centre Swimming Pool, identifying the appropriate location and design brief.

(b) We consider all parties should have the opportunity to comment, vote and make a recommendation to the Executive.”

Note:

The original report relating to this item was circulated with the agenda for the Executive meeting on 23 October and can be viewed on-line using this link:

http://democracy.york.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.asp?CId=102&MId=2599&Ver=4

The SPP will meet to consider the item at 4:30 pm on Monday, 29 October.  Their advice will be published on the Council’s website and circulated to Executive Members as soon as possible after that meeting.

Members considered a report which set out the background to development of the Council’s leisure facilities strategy, an update on schemes already approved, strategic issues and choices now facing the Council and options available for an updated facilities strategy, specifically in relation to swimming. 

This item had originally been considered by the Executive at their meeting on 23 October 2007 and had subsequently been referred to the Strategic Policy Panel (SPP) by Cllr David Scott, Leader of the Labour Group.  At their meeting on 29 October 2007, the SPP had agreed:

“That the Executive be recommended to re-convene to consider their decision in the light of the opinions expressed by Members of the SPP.”

On consideration of the advice offered by the SPP, Members reviewed their original decision and it was

RESOLVED: (i)         That Option C in the report be agreed; that is, to reconfirm the Council’s commitment to the partnership with the University and also to plan for an additional City Centre pool to meet further identified needs, subject to detailed agreement on the terms of the Council’s contribution, and in particular:

a)     the University / Council partnership adopting a project plan which will deliver the pool for public use before the end of 2011;

b)     satisfactory arrangements being agreed regarding the location of, public opening hours and access arrangements for, the pool;

c)      agreement on arrangements for residents wishing to use the facility which must meet the Council’s requirements, including a pricing structure which must be commensurate with other Council owned pools (e.g. provide a discount for York Card holders and recognise the special requirements of families, disabled groups etc.);

d)     full details of the operating costs of the facility, and any Council liability relating to such costs, to be agreed in principle before contracts are signed and any capital payment made.

(ii) That the provision of a “Community” pool in the City Centre area will remain an ambition of the Council, and that Council Officers will actively seek partners to provide such a facility.  Progress reports will be made to Group Leaders’ meetings at not less than 6 monthly intervals.

                        (iii)       That the respective schemes within the capital programme be revised to take account of:

a)     allocating the pools programme contingency budget as set out in paragraph 77 of the report;

b)     the additional prudential borrowing set out in paragraph 78;

c)      allocating the overall procurement budget as set out in paragraph 75.

REASON:      So that a clear and agreed strategy can be taken forward, with immediate progress, to create excellent swimming facilities in York and options developed for a further pool, taking into account the views on this matter expressed by members of the Strategic Policy Panel.