Purpose

The Constitution authorises Officers to make
decision within the scope of their responsibilities, unless it is
required to be made by a Portfolio Holder or Cabinet.
 
The Chief Operating Officer has exercised
their delegated authority to proceed to the construction phase of
the Bury Leisure Centre refurbishment on the
basis of RIBA stage 4 and the funding allocation approved by
Council.

Decision

The Chief Operating Officer has made a
decision, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Leisure,
the Portfolio Holder for Resources and Cabinet members, to proceed
to the construction phase of the Bury Leisure Centre refurbishment
on the basis of RIBA stage 4 and gateway review.

Reasons for the decision

A Gateway Review has been completed on receipt
of the RIBA stage 4 report, review of revenue implications
(management fee reduction plan and one off income and cost cover
support to Abbeycroft) and implementation plan.
 
The capital project cost remains within the
approved budget envelope (£10.3 million), and the work
content remains in line with the proposals that underwent public
consultation.
 
Incorporated within the cost plan are works
associated with the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS)
Salix grant for a substantial upgrade to mechanical plant.
 
Funding to meet the
£10.3 million cost remains in line with previous business
case assumptions. Abbeycroft Leisure reaffirmed their
commitment to offset borrowing made against the net revenue benefit
through the management fee agreement with the Council thereby
underpinning the borrowing and invest to save element of the
capital budget.
 
The detailed programme for the refurbishment
assumes a formal instruction by West Suffolk Council to Alliance
Leisure in early October to establish site facilities and commence
work at the beginning of November 2025.
 
The decision has considered the original
business case to Council meetings on 16 July 2024
(report COU/WS/24/012) and 17 December 2024
(report COU/WS/24/029).
 
Given the costs remain within
the budget envelope available to fund the project, and the urgency
in delivering the work programme to meet user expectations, the
need to relocate clubs and group hire sessions and to avoid closure
during peak income generating periods, the project will now move
forward to the construction phase.
 

Alternative options considered

Alternative options were not considered.