Issue - meetings

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to provide the cabinet member with an update on developments and progress related to two items in the 2020/21 approved capital programme:

·         Pyramids refurbishment (£1,400,000)

·         Feasibility and Outline Planning for a New Eastney Swimming Pool (£100,000)

These two projects concern indoor facilities, and consequently the report will also discuss wider strategic considerations regarding Portsmouth's other swimming, and health and fitness facilities.

The decision referred to in this report is to reallocate money from some capital schemes that either will not now go ahead or will not do so for some time. This is a delegated decision, which has already been taken by The Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Economic Development in consultation with the Section 151 Officer, to respond to the emerging priority of the Pyramids. This report is the mechanism for reporting on that decision. Consequently the report is being presented for information only. The Section 151 Officer has also advised that this falls within the Budget and Policy Framework because it does not exceed the budget.

David Moorman, Strategic Development Manager introduced the report and advised that the City Solicitor had allowed for written objections to be received for this information item. 

Deputations from the following members of the public were read out in full by David Moorman from:

1)    Annie Bradrick

2)    Mr & Mrs Viner

3)    Mr R Ghosh

Deputations are not included in the minutes but can be viewed on the livestream on the following link

https://livestream.com/accounts/14063785/cabinet-cled-16oct2020/videos/212176120

Chris Symons, Chief Executive BH Live and Rob Cunningham, Head of Leisure for BH Live had been invited to the meeting to provide further detail on the proposals to convert the swimming pool to an indoor adventure centre and the plaza into a large modern gym. 

Chris provided a short presentation detailing the reasons behind the proposals and showed photographs of similar schemes that he or the team had worked on developing. He gave members a brief explanation what would be included in the Play and Bounce area and the new gym.  

Councillor Jonas thanked the deputees for their deputations and congratulated BH Live on their ambitious plans.  He had concerns however that if the pool at the Pyramids is closed it will be closed forever as the cost of building a new pool would not be financially possible. He felt that people had not been using the pool as it has often been closed due to maintenance issues.  He asked for a reassurance from the Cabinet Member that all alternative options had been considered before this decision was made. Councillor Pitt said he was very aware of all the comments made in the press, social media and at Full Council earlier in the week, and said he would be making a statement at the end of the meeting that would address Councillor Jonas' points.

Councillor Morgan thanked BH Live for the presentation.  He said that Councillor Pitt was already aware that the Labour group had raised concerns over the lack of consultation and public engagement on this decision and a discussion had taken place at Full Council earlier this week.  He added that the Labour group believe that governing inevitably involves tough decisions however it is better to do that with public involvement. 

Councillor Udy said she would like a promise from the Cabinet Member that there will still be some form of swimming facility in the south of the city, particularly for disabled residents as the Pyramids was the only walk in pool in the city.  The new indoor adventure centre and gym would help bring people to the area, although it was regrettable losing the pool. She also said that Hilsea Lido also needed some help to make the provision better and asked if the Council could look to help the Trust further.  Councillor Pitt explained that as soon as he became Cabinet member he met with the Trust at Hilsea Lido as was in regular contact.  The Council had given advice on amending their lease and put a lot of resource behind their  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17