Agenda item

The Group is invited to acknowledge and accept the recommendations contatined within the report.

During their deliberations on a report by the Head of Leisure, Health and Environment (a copy of which is appended in the Minute book) on progress of the Huntingdon Sport and Health Hub project, the Management Group was reminded of its role and informed of legal advice on moving the project forward to delivery.

The Report confirmed that all of the conditions established by the Cabinet in October 2025 had been met or would be met at the relevant point, which meant that the project would immanently move into the implementation phase. Following receipt of external legal advice, it was further confirmed that delegated powers already existed to enable the onward progression of the project to delivery.

The Management Group was provided with detailed financial information and modelling in respect of the project. It also reviewed the three project funding options. Having been acquainted with high level risks associated with project, the findings of a report on the social benefits that the project would deliver to residents and the terms of an updated Communication and Engagement Plan, it was

RESOLVED

  That the Management Group:

a)  Project & RIBA Stage 2 Recommendation Update:

Acknowledge and note the update provided by Officer’s on the progression of the project through the relevant RIBA stages, up to the end of Stage 4 – see specific update as set out in Appendix 1.

b)  Land & Legal:

Acknowledge and note the position statement and associated risks as set out by Browne Jacobson on the land and transfer negotiations included in Appendix 2.

Note existing delegations that enable the conclusion of all necessary negotiations with stakeholders in line with the expert legal advice from Browne Jacobson in Appendix 2; and which enable the Council to proceed to finalise and execute all legal agreements to allow the project to commence and move into delivery.

c)  Delivery Management Agreement (DMA) & Main Building Contract:

Note and accept the legal status and associated risks identified by Browne Jacobson in Appendices 3 & 4 on the Delivery Management Agreement (DMA) and the Main Building Contract.

Note existing delegations that enable the conclusion of all necessary negotiations on the DMA and the Main Building Contract to allow the project to commence and be delivered and the intention to move it into delivery.

d)  Finance & Project Funding:

Acknowledge and accept the update from Officers on the comparison in project costs and funding options provided between RIBA Stage 2 and RIBA Stage 4.

Note the final RIBA Stage 4 project costs and associated overview and justification – as set out in Appendix 7.

Note the overarching project financial position (RIBA Stage 4) as set out by Officers in Section 3 of the report now submitted.

Note the financial funding package and preferred option (Option 3) and structure set out by Officers in Section 3 which confirms final RIBA Stage 4 project funding and allows project commencement.

Note the existing delegations that enable the provision of funds from the identified sources within Section 3, to facilitate the project, as previously approved via the Council as part of the Capital Programme.

Note existing delegations that enable officers to proceed with the delivery of the project within the agreed funding envelope.

e)  Communication & Engagement:

Acknowledge and accept the communication and engagement update provided within the report as set out in Section 8.

Note and accept the updated project Communication & Engagement Plan developed by the project team and Council Marketing & Communication’s team as set out in Appendix 5.

Note existing delegations that enable delivery of all necessary stakeholder and wider communications associated with the delivery of the project.

f)  RIBA Stage 5 (Commencement) & RIBA Stage 6 (Project Delivery & Completion):

Acknowledge and confirm the previous conditions set by Cabinet are either met, or will be met; and note the intention to move to project delivery and implementation now that planning permission is in place and that costs and financing matters are resolved; and note existing delegations that enable Officers to proceed with the commencement of the Huntingdon Sport & Health Hub leisure development project (including all necessary works and activities).