Content

Consideration was
given to recommendation FRP 23/27 of the Finance, Regeneration and
Property Scrutiny Select Committee in respect of the future of the
existing Angel Centre building. 
 
Due regard was
given to the operational, building fabric and climate change
considerations, together with the views expressed by the Leisure
Trust and the Scrutiny Select Committee.  The financial implications and advantages and
disadvantages of both refurbishment and new facility options were
also taken into account.
 
Members recognised
that, due to the age, design and changing nature of leisure
provision, the Angel Centre was no longer fit for purpose without
significant investment in both plant and equipment.   In addition, substantial investment would be
required to reduce the carbon footprint of the building to achieve
the Borough Council’s carbon neutral aspirations for its
leisure facilities.  At this stage, any
decision was ‘in-principle’ only to allow phase 2 of
the Tonbridge Town Centre asset review work to progress.
 
On the grounds of
providing clarity regarding the Borough Council’s review of
its assets in Tonbridge, supporting climate change and ensuring
that leisure facilities in the town were fit for purpose and
represented value for money, the Leader proposed that the Angel
Centre be demolished and replacement leisure facilities be
provided; and in-principle, all options be kept on the table for
the future location of the replacement leisure facilities within
Tonbridge and the nature of such replacement facilities. This was
seconded by Cllr Betts and supported unanimously.
 

RESOLVED:  That
 
(1)            
in principle, the Angel Centre be demolished and replacement
leisure and community facilities be provided in Tonbridge and, in
principle, all options be kept on the table for the future location
and nature of such replacement leisure and community facilities
within Tonbridge.
 
[In accordance with
the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, this decision was the
subject of a call-in and was scrutinised by the Overview and
Scrutiny Committee on 10 January 2024.   Members of the Committee considered the
grounds for the call-in and had regard to the responses provided by
the Leader.  After in-depth discussion
and a formal vote the Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommended
that decision D230106CAB be amended to include the words ‘in
principle’ before ‘the Angel Centre’ and
‘community and leisure facilities’.  Cabinet resolved to amend the decision as
recommended by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and it came into
effect on 10 January 2024.]

Reasons for the decision

As set out in the report submitted to the
Finance, Regeneration and Property Scrutiny Select Committee of 14
November 2023.