Decision details

To seek Members approval to proceed with the project and undertake the legal and project management work required in partnership with BGFC and the Football Foundation and to execute the use of Newtown Works S106 funds for the project to match external funding.

The Portfolio Holder introduced the report which sought authority to proceed with a project to replace the outdated and inadequate football changing facilities at the Swan Centre in South Willesborough and replace them with new, fit for purpose facilities by working with the local community Football Club, Kent County Football Association and the Football Foundation.

The Ward Member for South Willesborough said he had been disappointed with the process followed for this scheme. The original planning application had been left off the weekly lists and the wrong local residents had originally been consulted. There was a lot of concern about the size and scale of the proposed building and the removal of the hedge which screened the existing building from neighbouring properties. Whilst he understood these were planning issues, previous developments in the area had always been through a thorough public consultation and he considered this proposal should be deferred to allow that to happen and avoid the perception of a fait accompli.

The Portfolio Holder advised that the report in front of the Cabinet dealt purely with the project and not planning matters. There would be an opportunity to raise planning concerns through the planning process and when it came to Committee, but for now there was some urgency in obtaining authority to proceed and meet the timetable to secure the significant levels of funding needed from the Football Foundation.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and IT considered that the recommendations should include consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder and the Cabinet agreed.

Resolved:

That    (i)        the Head of Culture be authorised, in consultation with the Director of Law and Governance, the Head of Corporate Property and Projects and the Portfolio Holder for Culture, to negotiate and agree terms with the Football Foundation and Bromley Green Football Club and thereafter let a contract in accordance with the Contract Procedure Rules for the provision by the Council of a new pavilion as described in the report, subject to: -

(a)  securing that the cost (including prudent contingency) will be covered by those parties and/or other external grants together with the s.106 contribution allocation referred to in the report,

(b)  planning permission having been applied for and granted, and

(c)  a project risk analysis having been prepared that is satisfactory in her view, in consultation with those Officers/Members.

In the event that any of those matters are not satisfactory, the proposal shall be reported back for decision by Members.

            (ii)       the Head of Culture be authorised, in consultation with the Head of Legal and Democracy, the Head of Corporate Property and Projects and the Portfolio Holder for Culture, to negotiate and agree terms with Bromley Green Football Club for a lease for the long-term management of the pavilion and associated pathways and fencing on such terms as she, in consultation with those Officers/Members, considers appropriate.

            (iii)      the Head of Culture be authorised, in consultation with the Head of Legal and Democracy, the Head of Corporate Property and Projects and the Portfolio Holder for Culture,  to negotiate and agree terms with the Football Foundation for funding this proposal.

            (iv)      the Head of Legal and Democracy be authorised, in consultation with the Head of Culture, the Head of Corporate Property and Projects and the Portfolio Holder for Culture, to execute and complete all necessary documentation to give effect to the above.