Purpose

To note business case then
approve a preferred option (which may be to not proceed) and linked
funding strategy

Content

It was
RESOLVED: -
 
1.1         
To Review the business case (attached as
Confidential Appendix A).

 
1.2         
To Approve the delivery of a new pavilion at
Chilton Fields in Stowmarket in accordance with the existing
planning consent DC/23/01323.

 
1.3         
Approved the preferred funding strategy as set
out in Confidential Appendix C.

 
1.4         
Delegate authority to the Director of Place and
Director for Property, Development and Regeneration in consultation
with the Portfolio Holders for Housing & Property, and
Environment, Culture and Wellbeing to enter into an operational
lease and award contracts for the delivery and use of the
Pavillion.

 
1.5         
Authorise the use of £520,000 from the
budget approved at 1.3 to bring forward the project including the
discharge of associated planning conditions from the approved
scheme ref DC/23/01323.
 
REASON FOR
DECISION
 
To
realise social, economic and well-being benefits for the local and
wider communities in a timely and cost effective manner, supporting
Stowmarket as a growing town and the district as a great place to
live, work and visit. 4. To ensure there is adequate funding in
place to deliver the pavilion and associated works, and that
opportunities to secure external funding are maximised. To enable
delivery and the operation of the new pavilion ensuring public
access to the facilities and responsible use of public funds. To
ensure appropriate funds are available to progress the
project.
 
Alternative
Options Considered and Rejected:
 
Do Nothing/Defer consideration - The Council
approved the initial plan in June 2022, but the pavilion's delivery
has since been restructured. Deferring will mean losing identified
strategic benefits while the current facility deteriorates further.
A potential £1.597m Section 106 contribution (Ref: 5007/16)
remains uncertain and some years away.
 
Build the original planning approved pavilion
(8 changing rooms). Recommended (if full funding available and
time/legacy value factors are paramount) - Deliver the previously
approved pavilion design by Saunders Boston Architects, costing as
estimated for a Q2 2026 delivery within Appendix C (Confidential).
Layouts of all design options are shown within Appendix B.
 
Build an alternative design new pavilion.
Recommended (if the planning approved design is considered too high
cost and if the Council is comfortable with the addition
significant risks) - A more basic/functional design by Barefoot
Gilles Architects has been prepared for comparison to meet
essential community needs. An estimate of costs is outlined in
Appendix C (Confidential). A six-changing facility variant is
viewed by clubs and users as limited in meeting longer term growth
and sustainability ambitions. Any new design may less meet planning
or stakeholder expectations for an exemplar standard building. An
alternative option would take more time and resource to deliver and
introduce new risks given a new planning application would be
necessary.
 
Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None