Issue - decisions

Matter for Decision

To adopt the proposed swimming pool investment strategy to allow for the use and allocation of collected Developer S106 Contributions specifically for swimming to be assigned to projects to improve access and upgrade swimming facilities around the city.

 

To approve the release of feasibility funds to be able to do investigatory and feasibility works to look at a range of investment options to improve access and facilities at Jesus Green Lido.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Communities

       i.          Adopted the proposed Swimming Investment Strategy in Appendix 1 to be able to allocate existing and future S106 developer contributions for swimming for the improvement of swimming opportunities across the City.

     ii.          Approved the use of up to £45,000 from the feasibility fund to do more detailed survey works and options appraisals for the development of Jesus Green Lido.

 

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Community, Sport & Recreation Manager.

 

The Committee made the following comments in response to the report:

       i.          Queried if it were practicable and reasonable to heat an outdoor lido.

     ii.          Queried how pool opening hours could be extended.

   iii.          Queried if there were sufficient numbers of pools to meet demand; and if those in place were of sufficient length ie was a 50m pool required?

 

The Community, Sport & Recreation Manager said the following in response to Members’ questions:

       i.          The feasibility strategy would look at options to extend opening hours including those at Jesus Green Lido.

     ii.          Operational details about swimming pools could be given to committee post meeting and offered to take councillors on a tour of pools such as the lido where queries could be answered eg practicalities of heating the lido.

 

The Executive Councillor added there were other heated lidos in the country.

 

   iii.          The City Council had a contract with GLL which set swimming pool opening hours.

   iv.          City Council Officers were in regular contact with the Friends of Jesus Green Lido about the pool.

 

The Executive Councillor added the Friends of Jesus Green could comment on pool matters during the feasibility study consultation period.

 

    v.          Future swimming pool demand models took into account:

·       Public and private pools.

·       Walk/cycle/drive transport links to them, and their anticipated impact was modelled.

·       A 50m pool was not necessarily required.

   vi.          Swimming pools in the City were reaching (user) capacity. Officers were looking to see if the university pool proposal could be opened up to the public or club use in future to free up capacity in other city council managed ones.

 vii.          There were designated parts of the River Cam that can be used for swimming (by confident swimmers) and other water based activities. The City Council generally discourages people from swimming in the Cam for various safety reasons.

viii.          The Appendix in the Officer’s report showed how s106 funding could be spent and some projects could be delivered before the first deadline in 2023.

 

The Committee resolved by 9 votes to 0 to endorse the recommendations.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.