CABINET RECOMMENDS TO FULL COUNCIL:

1.     To agree release of funds up to £109,000 from the Inclusive Growth reserve and the Growth and Investment Reserve for the redevelopment of the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) site at Breckland Leisure Centre & Waterworld, Thetford with a third-generation (3G) Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) being installed as its replacement.

2. To accept all grant funding following football foundation application (c.£487,000) and contribution from the leisure operator (c.£100,000) and set up necessary budgets to spend.

3. To delegate authority to accept the terms and conditions of the football funding grant to the Executive Member for Leisure in consultation with the Assistant Director Contract and Operations

4. That delegation is given to the Assistant Director Contracts and Operations and the Council Solicitor in consultation with the Executive Member for Property, Project and Procurement to carry out negotiations with Parkwood Leisure and associated companies to obtain the best benchmarking outcome for the Council.

The non-technical feasibility report delivered from TRI-Sports showed a potential significant increase in participation that could see an increase from 45% to 80-90% hire rate at the facility resulting in increased participation.

The FA training model estimates that there is need for four full sized 3G AGPs within the Breckland District area. Current supply shows there is only one full sized 3G FTP which is based at Dereham Neatherd High School (installed 2014), with a second which is a small sided pitch based at Dereham Northgate High School (installed 2016). This proposal therefore supports an identified need locally.

The existing MUGA was laid in 2006 with no evidence of ever being resurfaced. The Neil Allen Associates report from 2017 identified that the average age for a pitch carpet is 6 – 10 years dependent on the level of use. This means that the existing MUGA is at the end of its expected lifecycle and will require resurfacing in the near future.

The total project cost is £695,735. The LFFP initiative from the FF essentially allows this project to be completed and a high spec new facility to be built for (maximum) £109,000 investment from the Council.

Failing to deliver this project at this site will mean the FF will deliver this project elsewhere in the town. Should the project not progress due to Council decision and the facility be delivered elsewhere it would incur significant costs for the remainder of the PFI contract due to loss of revenue. This proposal therefore avoids significant liability costs as a result of a competing facility locally.

Option 1 – That Cabinet Recommends to full Council the following:

1)     To agree release of funds up to £109,000 from the Inclusive Growth reserve and the Growth and Investment Reserve for the redevelopment of the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) site at Breckland Leisure Centre & Waterworld, Thetford with a third-generation (3G) Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) being installed as its replacement. (recommended)

2)     To accept all grant funding following football   foundation application (c.£487,000) and contribution from the leisure operator (c.£100,000) and set up necessary budgets to spend. (recommended)

3)     To delegate authority to accept the terms and conditions of the football funding grant to the Executive Member for Leisure in consultation with the Assistant Director Contract and Operations (recommended)

4)     That delegation is given to the Assistant Director Contracts and Operations in consultation with the Executive Member for Property, Projects and Procurement to carry out negotiations with Parkwood Leisure and associated companies to obtain the best benchmarking outcome for the Council (recommended)

Option 2 - Do Nothing