To approve in principle the investment of £9m capital, funded by Prudential borrowing for improvements at Herefordshire Council leisure facilities.  

The Cabinet Member, Contracts & Assets introduced the report of the Cultural Services Manager proposing in principle the investment of £9m capital, funded by prudential borrowing for improvements at Herefordshire Council leisure facilities as part of a package of changes to the contractual arrangements between the council and Halo Leisure to support the delivery of financial savings whilst enhancing service quality by increasing income levels.

Cllr Powell sought clarification as to whether the proposed improvements would reduce the outstanding planned maintenance costs. The Cabinet Member Contracts & Assets confirmed this would be the case.

The Cabinet Member, Contracts & Assets endorsed the view of a Member in attendance that the performance of Halo was to be welcomed.

RESOLVED:  That

(a)  subject to Council approval of the Capital Programme in February, up to £9m of capital funding for investment in improvement programmes at the following leisure facilities across the county: Hereford Leisure Centre, Hereford Leisure Pool, Leominster Leisure Centre, Ledbury Swimming Pool and Ross-on-Wye Swimming Pool be approved;

(b)  the investment to be funded via prudential borrowing and repaid by the leisure operator, currently Halo Leisure, via a rental charge over 25 years using increased income; 

(c)  authority be delegated to the Director for Economy, Communities and Corporate, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer and Cabinet Member Contracts and Assets to approve fully costed business cases and implementation arrangements for individual schemes within the programme prior to any draw down of capital;

(d)  authority be delegated to the Solicitor to the Council, in consultation with the Director for Economy, Communities and Corporate to conclude and execute revised legal agreements between the council and Halo Leisure to reflect the complete package of revised arrangements between the parties;

(e)  subject to the completion of a Sports Facilities Strategy application is made to the Sport England facilities funding programme for up to £2m for larger schemes and £0.5m for smaller schemes; and

(f)   that further investigation is continued regarding funding through a planning application for the redevelopment of Ledbury swimming pool to assist with mitigation of the total amount of borrowing subject to Council approval of the Capital Programme in February, up to £9m of capital funding for investment in improvement programmes at the following leisure facilities across the county: Hereford Leisure Centre, Hereford Leisure Pool, Leominster Leisure Centre, Ledbury Swimming Pool and Ross-on-Wye Swimming Pool be approved.