Purpose

The May & Baker Sports Club went into liquidation in February 2025 and surrendered the freehold back to the Council, which has put in place interim arrangements to manage the current sports usage and facilities.

There is a desire to retain and enhance the multi-sports offer at the site, leveraging in external investment to develop modern facilities and run it on a professional basis. The Council is keen to ensure that opportunities which maximise external funding are not missed and under the current Football Foundation Hubs Programme, there is funding available to LBBD which enhance current feasibility studies into tangible RIBA 1 and 2 stage designs, subject to securing the long-term investment required for the delivery of the whole site. This initial window of opportunity, which has the potential to unlock up to £6m towards the redevelopment, is narrow and will close before the Spring. Participation has upfront cost implications for the Council but does allow for the development of firm designs and a fully costed schedule for a new pavilion and 3G pitches.  The Cabinet will be asked to approve this course of action for these initial stages.

Decision

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Approve, in principle, the creation of a multi-sports hub at May & Baker Sports Club through the Football Foundation Hubs programme;

(ii)  Note that the delivery of the scheme shall be dependent upon a significant level of external capital funding, some of which was yet to be secured;

(iii)  Note that there would be no additional revenue cost to the Council from the operation of the new facilities;

(iv)  Utilise the Football Foundation Hubs programme grant for the RIBA Stage 1 and 2 designs and project development stage and provide 40% match funding from grant reserve;

(v)  Approve, in principle, the accessing of the Football Foundation’s AGP Framework for the design and build contract for 3G pitches, allowing for a mini-competition and following the procurement strategy set out in the report;

(vi)  Approve, in principle, the accessing of the UK Leisure Framework for the design and build contract for the pavilion, allowing for a mini-competition and following the procurement strategy set out in this report; and

(vii)  Delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Inclusive Growth and Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Leadership and Engagement and the Director of Law and Governance, to conduct the procurement and enter into the contracts and all other necessary or ancillary agreements, including leases, with the successful bidders as set out in this report.