To recommend to Council the addition of a new capital budget to ensure the swift reopening of the Hereford leisure pool that has been closed since suffering from flooding in October 2019.

The majority of reinstatement work costs are funded from insurance cover however to open the centre to the public uninsured works require funding. The funding of these costs is proposed to be from a combination of existing and new capital budget, funded from prudential borrowing.

That:

(a)  To recommend to Council the addition of a new capital budget to fund un-insured regulatory and essential works required at the Hereford leisure pool to be funded by existing budgets wherever possible and, failing that, new prudential borrowing not expected to exceed £505k;

(b)  that authority be delegated to the director for economy and place to procure and undertake the necessary works; and

(c)  that the review of the core strategy and leisure strategy considers the location of a leisure pool in Hereford.

1.      To not approve the decision at this time. Any delay in approval would result is the inability to complete the required works in tandem with the insurance funded works. This would result in additional time and cost.

2.    To not fund the uninsured works required. The council could decide not to fund the uninsured works required, the contractors on site are able to complete the insured works and return the site to the council, as landlord, however the building could not re-open. To re-open the building the council would then need to scope and procure the essential and regulatory works that are needed. This would result in additional cost, time and delay.

3.    To look at the longer term position of the pool. This report is to re-open a popular facility in a timely manner. The council could decide not to do this and instead seek an alternative site. This is expected to take a substantial time with no facility being available during that time. It would be preferable to approve this report and discuss with the tenant the potential future options.