Decision details

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Leisure seeking full scheme approval for the Outdoor Sports Centre Improvement Programme and to delegate authority to the Head of Corporate Estate and Asset for the implementation of the Programme.

(i)  To approve the updated scheme design as outlined in Appendix 1.

(ii)  To approve that the Executive Director for Place following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Communities and Leisure is given delegated powers to make any further amendments to the scheme.

(iii)  Approval to delegate authority to the Head of Corporate Estate and Assets to authorise variations within the project budget envelope during design and construction periods as needed.

(iv)  Approval to delegate authority to the Head of Corporate Estate and Assets to authorise submission of any further necessary planning applications for the scheme following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Communities and Leisure.

(v)  Approval to delegate authority to the Head of Corporate Estate and Assets to authorise placement of any statutory orders to enable the project to progress in line with the project programme operating within the approved budget.

(vi)  Approval to delegate authority to the Head of Corporate Estate and Assets to carry out actions necessary to enable decisions required for the delivery to the project timescales and budget.

(vii)  To note that spend approval will form part of the Capital Programme budget paper planned to be reported to Council on 21st February 2024.

The purpose of this report is to seek approval to implement the Outdoor Sports Centre scheme design in line with Appendix 1. Appendix 1 represents a revised design to that which was presented for public consultation, the planning application and approved by Cabinet on the 7th February 2022. The designs and facility mix which were included in the planning application were informed by the consultation process in autumn 2021. The process resulted in a wide range of general feedback which has continued to be useful as design has developed, along with specific ongoing consultation with clubs. The proposed changes from the planning permission now proposed do not diverge significantly from the original Masterplan of facilities proposed in the public consultation. Included within Appendix 1 are the outline changes to the design since the last approval. This scheme has been designed to RIBA stage 3 and is now able to progress to the next stage of detailed design. This scheme has secured £20m in external funding from the Levelling Up Fund (LUF) and £4m from the Football Foundation towards the scheme, totalling £30.085m. This report sets out the programme for delivery of the project. There has been ongoing engagement with relevant national governing bodies and local sporting organisation during the scheme’s development.

1.  Option 1 No action/Stop project – The condition of the OSC will continue to deteriorate and the external funding options currently available to Southampton City Council (SCC) are unlikely to be available in the future. All the benefits of improved facilities in terms of numbers of people participating and the health and social benefits associated would not be realised. There would also be negative revenue implications resulting from a reduction in use and maintenance cost increases which are likely to be reflected at retender stage for the leisure management contract. Furthermore, there is a risk that the Council would suffer reputational damage from grant awarding organisations if the existing funding opportunities were not progressed and accepted.

2.  Option 2 Minimal action (continue to undertake minor repairs in line with the existing leisure management contractor’s contractual obligations) – The approach to the OSC over the past 20 years has been to undertake minor repairs combined with a reliance on lifecycle fund expenditure by the Council’s current leisure management contractor, Places for People Ltd (PfP), in line with their contractual obligations. This option would not take advantage of the external funding that has been secured. This would have a significant implication on the opportunity for increasing participation and there would also be revenue implications with reduction in use and maintenance cost increases which is likely to be reflected at retender stage for a future leisure management contract. Furthermore, there is a risk that the Council would suffer reputational damage from the grant award organisations if the funding opportunities were not progressed and accepted.

3.  Option 3 Progress design based upon LUF Funding only and decline Football Foundation Grant – This approach will result in the loss of the Artificial Grass football pitches and associated facilities that are also receiving funding from this grant including upgrades to the parking and hub building. This would have a significant implication on the opportunity for increasing participation together with the potential for revenue generation opportunity that this project creates. There is risk of not delivering to the LUF obligations and could result in the risk of the grant being reduced. The project would also not meet the aspirations outlined in the public consultation.