Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: October 24, 2024

Purpose: Authority was sought from Cabinet to enable the council to move forward with delivery of the Margate Town Deal Skatepark project, as part of the Coastal Wellbeing intervention. This includes the management, maintenance and repair requirements for the skatepark, the facilitation of the development of a kiosk, and the reallocation of funding in order to deliver improved public realm health and safety requirements.

Content: Cabinet agreed the following:   1.  To amend its decision of 22 February 2022 when it decided the Skatepark should be leased to a third party, and agree to retain ownership of the site - with the management, maintenance and repair remaining within the councils responsibility;   2.  That the income gained through the kiosk is ring fenced to a sinking fund for the management, maintenance and repairs of the skatepark;   3.  To support further engagement from the Head of Regeneration and Growth and the Head of Coast and Public Realm with the Margate Skatepark project sponsors, to ensure the use of the skatepark for social cohesion and engagement activities in skateboarding and community participation;   4.  To note that moving funding between themes and projects up to a value of £5,000,000 is permissible under the Simplification Pathfinder Project;   5.  The reallocation of £350,000 from the revised Active Movement and Connections theme to the Coastal Wellbeing Intervention.

Reasons for the decision: The Margate Town Deal Coastal Wellbeing intervention project to deliver a Skatepark in Cliftonville West includes the construction of the skatepark, toilet(s) and a kiosk facility to support driving an income to help with the costs of managing and maintaining the skatepark. The skatepark will be free to access and open to all.   Cabinet approvals for the project includes a key decision for the procurement of the construction company for the skatepark and landscaping, through a design and build contract. Approval was also granted to lease the site to a third party Community Interest Company CIC, however the decision on 24 October 2025 proposed that the council maintains the management, maintenance and repairs of the site, but engages the third party CIC to deliver building community cohesion, engagement, participation and link local communities to health and wellbeing activities.   The project also includes the delivery of a kiosk to provide a funding stream to support the management, maintenance and repairs. The income gained will go into a sinking fund to enable the council to look after the site appropriately. Officers have identified a site between the Skatepark and Jubilee Play Park which will service both sets of users. The approvals allow the project management team to finalise the delivery plan for the Skatepark

Alternative options considered: An alternative option would be that the project team proceeded without the changes proposed - including the additional funding, the revised scope for the kiosk and by providing a lease for the site to a third party. This could pose a risk to the future sustainability and commercial viability of the site if the kiosk does not cover the management, maintenance and repair costs of the skate park. This option was not recommended.   The council could also do nothing. This would result in non-delivery of this grant funded project, with funding being reallocated to other projects or returned to central government. The option was not recommended.