Agenda item

To receive a report from the Head of Leisure, Health & Environment informing of the progress officers have made on the project for a new proposed 3G Artificial Turf Pitch (ATP) at One Leisure St Ives Outdoor, including final designs, progress of the project and overall capital costs.

The Cabinet has

(a)  approved the project of a new 3G ATP to be constructed at OLSIO;

(b)  noted that, subject to the project securing all necessary consents (including full planning application approval); funding secured through the budget process; and project costs being within budget; the intention is for works to commence on-site in late 2026 with an anticipated opening in early 2027;

(c)  delegated to the Head of Leisure, Health & Environment in consultation with the Corporate Director (Place) & Corporate Director (Finance and Resources) to proceed with and secure any necessary consents to allow the development to move forward;

(d)  noted that HDC has signed up to the FF Framework Alliance Contract (FFFAC) which covers services such as management consultancy, independent testing and the supply/installation of 3G ATP’s with HDC becoming an “Additional Client”;

(e)  delegated to the Head of Leisure, Health & Environment in consultation with the Corporate Director (Place) & Corporate Director (Finance and Resources) to proceed with the FFFAC in partnership with the FF to ensure successful completion of the project;

(f)  agreed the proposed budget envelope of £1.4 million for the project and notes the composition of this total, which is made up of contributions from multiple funding sources such as £300k from Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and £300k from HDC;

(g)  noted and approved that the Head of Leisure, Health & Environment will lead on and complete negotiations with the FF with the intention to secure up to £800k of capital funding towards a new 3G ATP; and

(h)  delegated to the Head of Leisure, Health & Environment to facilitate, and in consultation with the Corporate Director (Place) & Corporate Director (Finance and Resources) complete all relevant land and legal requirements to facilitate this project and enable its delivery.

See Minute No. 25/62 – Members’ Interests.

At 7:05pm, Councillor Mickelburgh vacated the room for this item.

A report by the Head of Leisure, Health & Environment was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) informing Members of the progress Officers had made on the project for a new proposed 3G Artificial Turf Pitch at One Leisure St Ives Outdoor, including final designs, progress of the project and overall capital costs. The Executive Councillor for Communities, Health & Leisure, Councillor Howell, introduced the report and invited the Strategic Sports Development Officer, Robbie Bratchell, to deliver a presentation to the Cabinet.

In response to questions from the Cabinet, the Strategic Sports Development Officer advised that the planning proposal included a parking plan. Equally, Cambridgeshire County Council Highways had not raised concerns in relation to the proposal. However, challenges around the demand placed on surrounding areas during peak times would be monitored and managed.

The Cabinet were made aware that there were ongoing conversations to address residents’ concerns about traffic and parking, and though some complaints had been received, the more prominent concern from residents was light leakage from the original LED floodlights. The proposed floodlights would vastly reduce the light leakage for residents.

The Cabinet commended the projected increase in the numbers using the facility, and noted that the pitch would be used for a variety of sports.

Whereupon it was

RESOLVED

that

(a)  the project of a new 3G ATP to be constructed at OLSIO, be approved;

(b)  subject to the project securing all necessary consents (including full planning application approval), funding secured through the budget process and project costs being within budget, the intention for works to commence on-site in late 2026 with an anticipated opening in early 2027, be noted;

(c)  authority be delegated to the Head of Leisure, Health & Environment in consultation with the Corporate Director (Place) and Corporate Director (Finance and Resources) to proceed with and secure any necessary consents to allow the development to move forward;

(d)  the fact that HDC has signed up to the FF Framework Alliance Contract (FFFAC) which covers services such as management consultancy, independent testing and the supply/installation of 3G ATP’s with HDC becoming an “Additional Client”, be noted;

(e)  authority be delegated to the Head of Leisure, Health & Environment in consultation with the Corporate Director (Place) and Corporate Director (Finance and Resources) to proceed with the FFFAC in partnership with the FF to ensure successful completion of the project;

(f)  the proposed budget envelope of £1.4 million for the project  be agreed and the composition of this total, which is made up of contributions from multiple funding sources such as £300k from Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and £300k from HDC, be noted;

(g)  the fact that the Head of Leisure, Health & Environment will lead on and complete negotiations with the FF with the intention to secure up to £800k of capital funding towards a new 3G ATP, be noted and approved; and

(h)  authority be delegated to the Head of Leisure, Health & Environment to facilitate, and in consultation with the Corporate Director (Place) and Corporate Director (Finance and Resources), complete all relevant land and legal requirements to facilitate this project and enable its delivery.