Issue - meetings

Executive Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities, which provided Members with an update on the re-development of the Widnes Recreation Site, Liverpool Road, Widnes.

RECOMMENDED: That

1)    the proposals for the redevelopment of the former Widnes Recreation Site, Liverpool Road, Widnes, be approved;

2)    Council be recommended to approve inclusion of the former Widnes Recreation Site development within the Council’s Capital Programme;

3)    the Strategic Director, Communities, the Operational Director, Legal and Democratic Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Community and Sport, be authorised to implement the project, provided planning permission is obtained and the indicative prices outlined in the report are not exceeded;

4)    Officers be authorised to begin public consultation with Sport England on the sports facility proposed within the Business Plan, attached at Appendix A; and

5)    Officers be authorised to proceed with planning applications and place the proposed housing land on the open market and to obtain tendered prices for the build cost.

          Executive Board had considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities on the redevelopment of the former Widnes Recreation Site, Liverpool Road, Widnes.

RESOLVED: That Council approve the inclusion of the former Widnes Recreation Site development within the Council’s Capital Programme.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities, which provided Members with an update on the re-development of the Widnes Recreation Site, Liverpool Road, Widnes.

The Board was advised that a business plan had been prepared which contained background detail, project outline and associated financial implications for the development of a sports facility at the former recreation site. It was noted that the new sports facilities would include new changing facilities, an indoor activity room, kitchen facilities, an external multi use games area, a new cricket pitch, reconfiguration of the outdoor sports pitches and improvements to the car park. The Board noted that the draft business plan would be sent to Sport England for comments.

It was reported that the estimated £2.680m required to fund the scheme would be raised by the proposed sale of 3 acres of land at the Widnes Recreation site for housing development.

The report constituted a preliminary estimate report for the purposes of Procurement Standing Orders 2.1.

RESOLVED: That

1)    the proposals for the redevelopment of the former Widnes Recreation Site, Liverpool Road, Widnes, be approved;

2)    Council be recommended to approve inclusion of the former Widnes Recreation Site development within the Council’s Capital Programme;

3)    the Strategic Director, Communities, the Operational Director, Legal and Democratic Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Community and Sport, be authorised to implement the project, provided planning permission is obtained and the indicative prices outlined in the report are not exceeded;

4)    Officers be authorised to begin public consultation with Sport England on the sports facility proposed within the Business Plan, attached at Appendix A; and

5)    Officers be authorised to proceed with planning applications and place the proposed housing land on the open market and to obtain tendered prices for the build cost.