Agenda item

The Interim Head of Operations is to present a report on the Re:FIT Programme – Energy Conservation Measures for One Leisure.

With the aid of a report by the Interim Head of Operations (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Re:Fit Programme – Energy Conservation Measures for One Leisure report was presented to the Panel. Members were informed that a study has been carried out and identified that carrying out the scheme would produce a significant energy savings with a rate of return on the investment of 9 years.

The Panel was informed that the Council is in negotiation to renewal the leases of One Leisure Huntingdon, One Leisure St Neots and One Leisure Ramsey. It is recommended that the scheme should only proceed once those leases have been secured.

Following a query on why shouldn’t the Council proceed without securing the leases, the Panel was informed that in order to maximise the savings the Council receives the scheme needs to be completed as a complete package as the Council will benefit from the economies of scale.

In response to a question on who are the Council negotiating with, the Panel were informed that negotiations for One Leisure Huntingdon are with Huntingdon Town Council and negotiations for One Leisure St Neots and One Leisure Ramsey are with academies.

A conversation ensued regarding training on the building energy management system and Members were informed that training will be thorough and ongoing and will be given to the appropriate members of staff which will increase resilience within the service.

Following a question regarding the breakdown of equipment, it was confirmed that if the equipment breaks during the warranty period then there won’t be any cost to the Council. However the Council does have the responsibility to properly maintain equipment.

In terms of the leases, Members were informed that the Council have a long enough lease on four of the seven leisure centres so that the works would be paid back in energy savings. The Council are close to an agreement for the One Leisure St Neots lease for a period of 25 years with the agreement expected in six to eight weeks. In regards to One Leisure Huntingdon there is an agreement on the terms of discussion. The Council are no closer to an agreement on the lease for One Leisure Ramsey.

Members were informed that the scheme was a capital programme with a spend spread over the course of two years. The Panel would receive regular update reports monitoring the progress of the scheme and the savings achieved.

Following a discussion over the footfall, the benefit of upgrading facilities and the rate of return, some Members expressed concern that the rate of return on One Leisure St Ives Outdoor was not sufficient and stated that they would like the project figures reworked to not include facility. The Panel,

RESOLVED

1)   to recommend to Cabinet that the Council should commit £107,889 to the scheme in order to realise the full potential of the programme however this should be subject to securing the renewal of leases on One Leisure Huntingdon, One Leisure St Neots and One Leisure Ramsey and,

2)  that the Cabinet should consider the benefits of the scheme without One Leisure St Ives Outdoor.