Issue - meetings

Reason for partial exemption

Appendix 5 to the report contains exempt information within the meaning of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 and by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) Order 2006 Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information because, disclosure to the public would prejudice the financial position of the authority in the tendering process for a developer to build the new leisure centre, allowing tenderers to know the Council’s estimated costs and budget for this development.  This in turn prejudices the Council by (i) distorting the tendering process and (ii) prejudicing the opportunity for the Council to get the most financially advantageous deal for building the new centre.

Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

This item was considered in private to consider questions from councillors in relation to the confidential Appendix 5.

Council considered the recommendation of the Cabinet on a supplementary capital estimate for the replacement of Spelthorne Leisure Centre.

The current Spelthorne Leisure Centre in Staines-upon-Thames had served the borough well, but was likely to be nearing the end of its useful life by the end of 2021. In view of the importance of this Centre to the community, a feasibility exercise was undertaken to assess options for replacing the current facility. Cabinet had made a decision in January 2020 to pursue the development of a new leisure centre which met modern standards and today’s customer expectations.

Resolved to agreea supplementary capital estimate outlined in the confidential Appendix 5 to cover the projected costs of developing the new centre.

Reason for partial exemption

Appendix 5 to the report contains exempt information within the meaning of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 and by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) Order 2006 Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information because, disclosure to the public would prejudice the financial position of the authority in the tendering process for a developer to build the new leisure centre, allowing tenderers to know the Council’s estimated costs and budget for this development.  This in turn prejudices the Council by (i) distorting the tendering process and (ii) prejudicing the opportunity for the Council to get the most financially advantageous deal for building the new centre.

The Council considered the recommendation of the Cabinet on the replacement of Spelthorne Leisure Centre.

It was moved and seconded that Council approvesa supplementary capital estimate outlined in the confidential Appendix 5 to the report (attached as an exempt item) to cover the projected costs of developing the new centre.

Councillor Nichols indicated that he had a question in relation to the exempt information in Appendix 5 to the report to Cabinet. The Mayor advised that the question would be taken in a Part 2 session at the conclusion of this meeting.

Councillor R. Chandler

To note the results of the consultation exercise on proposals for a new Spelthorne Leisure Centre, consider design proposals and make a recommendation to Council on a supplementary capital estimate, outlined in the confidential Appendix 5, to cover the projected costs of developing the new centre.

Reason for partial exemption

Appendix 5 to the report contains exempt information within the meaning of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 and by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) Order 2006 Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information because, disclosure to the public would prejudice the financial position of the authority in the tendering process for a developer to build the new leisure centre, allowing tenderers to know the Council’s estimated costs and budget for this development.  This in turn prejudices the Council by (i) distorting the tendering process and (ii) prejudicing the opportunity for the Council to get the most financially advantageous deal for building the new centre.

Cabinet considered a report on the replacement of Spelthorne Leisure Centre.

The current Spelthorne Leisure Centre in Staines-upon-Thames had served the borough well, but was likely to be nearing the end of its useful life by the end of 2021. In view of the importance of this Centre to the community, a feasibility exercise was undertaken to assess options for replacing the current facility. Cabinet had made a decision in January 2020 to pursue the development of a new leisure centre which met modern standards and today’s customer expectations.

A consultation exercise on the Council’s revised proposals was undertaken from February to April 2020, building on the information gathered from the first consultation undertaken in summer 2018.

Alternative options considered and rejected by Cabinet:

·         pursue development of a leisure centre which does not meet the full Passivhaus standard

·         propose an alternative option for the development of a new leisure centre

·         not to proceed with the development of a new leisure centre

Resolved to:

Reason for Decision

To ensure that the Council can progress with proposals to develop a new Spelthorne Leisure Centre before the current facility becomes unviable to operate.

Councillor I.T.E. Harvey

To consider a report on the outcome of the consultation on a replacement Spelthorne Leisure Centre.