Issue - meetings
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Meeting: 14/01/2021 - Executive (Item 77)
Newbury Sports Ground Update (Urgent Item)
(Paragraph 1 – information relating to an individual)
(Paragraph 3 – information relating to financial/business affairs of particular person)
(Paragraph 4 – information relating to terms proposed in negotiations in labour relation matters)
(Paragraph 5 – information relating to legal privilege)
Purpose:
1.1 To update on progress with the development of a sports ground in Newbury.
1.2 To seek approval from the Executive for the Head of Public Protection and Culture, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, to enter into the detailed negotiations on the heads of terms with the Newbury Rugby Club in relation to the Newbury Sports Ground project.
1.3 To make provision for the financial implications of the proposed development within the 2021/22 capital budget and the 2021/22-2024 Medium Term Financial Strategy.
Additional documents:
- Restricted enclosure 2
- Restricted enclosure 3
- Restricted enclosure 4
- Restricted enclosure 5
Decision:
Resolved that:
2.1 A public consultation would be carried out in relation to the proposed provision to develop a new sports ground with facilities at Newbury Rugby Club.
2.2 The allocation of funds (as detailed in the exempt report) be recommended for approval in the 2021/22 Capital Programme being presented to the Council meeting on 2nd March 2021 (as part of the Budgetary Framework).
2.3 The findings of the Consult QRD report be acknowledged and that the allocation of funds (as detailed in the exempt report) be recommended for approval in the 2021/22 Revenue Budget being presented to the Council meeting on 2nd March 2021 (as part of the Budgetary Framework) to operate the site for the term of the lease, once negotiated.
2.4 The draft heads of terms (as detailed in the exempt report) with the Newbury Rugby Club be approved.
2.5 Authority be delegated to the Head of Public Protection and Culture, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, to enter into detailed negotiation on the heads of terms with the Newbury Rugby Club with final documents to be considered by the Executive.
This decision is not subject to call in as:
· the item is deemed as an Urgent Key Decision as set out in Rule 5.4.7 of the Constitution.
therefore it will be implemented immediately.
Minutes:
(Paragraph 1 – information relating to an individual)
(Paragraph 3 – information relating to financial/business affairs of particular person)
(Paragraph 4 – information relating to terms proposed in negotiations in labour relation matters)
(Paragraph 5 – information relating to legal privilege)
The Executive considered an exempt report (Agenda Item 10) concerning progress with the development of a sports ground in Newbury.
RESOLVED that the recommendations in the exempt report be agreed.
Other options considered:
The Council commissioned feasibility studies at three locations where the Council was the land owner; Northcroft, Henwick, The Diamond. Each were deliverable to varying degree. Northcroft was considered too risky to proceed given observations about planning issues. Henwick was deliverable but was discounted by Operations Board because it was outside the Newbury settlement and The Diamond site was seen as a satisfactory but not ideal location.
Redevelop Faraday Road – the option to retain a sports ground at this location had been discounted through the London Road Industrial Estate Project Board given the wider regeneration aspirations of the Council which had been in place for nearly 20 years.
Locate a new sports ground at ‘The Diamond’ at Pigeons Farm, Newbury. This site was not considered as desirable by the Project Board and had more issues to contend with based on the SSL report commissioned. The site was owned by the Council and could accommodate a step 6 facility.