Purpose

From August 2022 until February 2023 IBC has
been working with SLC (Sport, Leisure & Culture consultancy) on
the design development of a new Aquatics centre to replace Crown
Pools, which will be situated on the IBC owned surface car parking
to the East of Portman Rd itself, as part of the Council’s
commitment to the Sports Facilities Strategy 2022-30, including
drafting of a Masterplan for the site bounded by Portman Rd,
Princes St, Friars Bridge Rd and Great Gipping St.
 
The cost of designing the master plan and
aquatics centre has increased due to design complexities which
could not have been foreseen. As such, and in
order to be able to submit a planning application early in
the new year, it is necessary to enter into a new contract with SLC
under a new ESPO Framework Agreement to revise all the plans,
undertake a value engineering exercise, and issue all drawings and
associated documents required to submit a Full Planning
Application.
 
The Aquatics Centre is a critical element in
the IBC investment in the health and well-being of Ipswich
residents, particularly as Crown Pools is reaching the end of its
useful life and is incurring significant maintenance costs.

Decision

To appoint SLC (Sport, Leisure & Culture
consultancy) to undertake the design review noted above and liaise
with IBC officers and associated consultants to submit a Full
Planning Application and enter a new agreement under ESPO framework
664_21 (Lot 7) which was launched on 1 September 2023 and is
effective until 31 August 2025, to a maximum value of
£175,000.00.
 
Reason:
To ensure continuity of the consultants and
that the replacement for Crown Pools can be delivered in an
acceptable timescale and provide facilities that will benefit the
health of Ipswich residents.