Decision details

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council outlining plans to dispose of the former Oakland’s School sites and associated site and plans to reopen the swimming pool

(i)  To delegate authority to the Director of Environment and Economy, following consultation with the Director of Resources, the Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services and the appropriate Cabinet Members to negotiate and agree terms of sale and dispose of the sites identified within this report.

(ii)  To approve, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, capital expenditure of £90,000 in 2013/14 from the Economic Development and Leisure Capital programme, prior to the full scheme value being approved by Council on 20^th November 2013.

(iii)  To approve, subject to Council approval on 20^th November 2013, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, the remaining capital expenditure of £1,580,000 phased £152,000 in 2013/14, £1,423,000 in 2014/15 and £5,000 in 2015/16 from the Economic Development and Leisure Capital programme for refurbishment works at Oaklands swimming pool.

(iv)  To approve the revenue expenditure of £60,000 to implement works to secure the site and building, and to provide ongoing support to Oaklands Pool Ltd.

(v)  To authorise the Head of Finance to agree the terms and form of any future loan at an appropriate time, up to a maximum of £73,000 to Oakland’s Swimming Pool Ltd.

(vi)  To allocate £133,000 from the General Fund Revenue Budget contingency of £410,700 in order to provide the additional revenue resources required as set out in recommendations (iv) and (v) above.

1.  To progress the development of key sites in the Lordshill area, enabling the delivery of investment and new homes.

2.  To progress the refurbishment of the Oaklands Swimming Pool building, bringing a community facility back into use.

3.  To progress negotiations with Lordshill Community Association to relocate resulting in an enhanced community facility for local residents.

1.  To dispose of each development site separately – rejected on the basis that a more comprehensive proposal for the area can be delivered through a single disposal and will secure better value for the Council.

2.  To proceed with a reduced range of works, delivering a shorter timeframe to open the swimming pool – rejected on the grounds that the building will need sufficient investment to allow an operator to develop a customer base, and a reduced scope of works retains the risk of closures being required for further repairs and maintenance.