Decision

AGREED that
Cabinet:
 

a)     
expresses its disappointment with the lack of
progress, since19 December, to transfer the land from Southwell
Leisure Centre Trust to the Council;
 

b)     
confirms its continued commitment to invest
£5.5m in the development of a new swimming facility and not
to repair the current pool;
 

c)     
confirms that the investment referred to in
recommendation (b) above is subject to the freehold transfer of all
land currently in the ownership of Southwell Leisure Centre Trust,
it being noted that this would be subject to the agreement of the
Charity Commission and for the legal agreement to include a
covenant to restrict the use of the land transferred for the
provision of leisure services;
 

d)     
requests Southwell Leisure Centre Trust to agree to
make a joint submission to the Charity Commission to propose the
freehold disposal of all designated land in its ownership in return
for the Council’s £5.5m investment in a new pool and an
estimated £740,000 investment in the “dry side”,
on the grounds that this is in the best interests of the
beneficiaries of the charity and to enable the charity to meet its
charitable objectives; and
 

e)     
in order
to avoid abortive work and costs,
officers freeze any further work on the provision of a new pool
until Southwell Leisure Centre Trust provide written agreement to
(d) above. If and when agreement is reached the Council will commit
to a 24 month project programme which
will be shared with relevant stakeholders.