2nd September 2002

 

Chairman of the Policy and Organisation Board (Councillor Cully) (ex-officio) (P); Councillors Mrs Angus (P), Mrs Binfield (P), Carter (P), Mrs Cully (P), Edwards (P), Mrs Elshaw (P), Francis (P), Hook (P), Langdon (P) and Wright (P).

It was reported that in accordance with Standing Orders, notice had been received that Councillor Edwards would replace Councillor Bone for the meeting.

13. MINUTES

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 10 June 2002, be approved and signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.

PART II

14. GOSPORT AND FAREHAM RUGBY CLUB - SPORTS LOTTERY BID

The Board considered a report of the Leisure and Amenities Manager (a copy of which is inserted in the Minute Book as Appendix "A") which sought approval to progress a sports lottery bid in partnership with Gosport and Fareham Rugby Club, Sport England and Fareham Borough Council.

It was reported that at the time of the previous report to the Community and Environment Board on 19 November 2001, it was expected that the scheme to replace the sports pavilion within Gosport Park would comprise the demolition of most of the existing pavilion to be replaced with new and extended facilities. The cost of such a project was estimated to cost approximately £500,000. Following a site visit from a Sport England Senior Development Manager, it had been agreed that the only feasible option was to demolish the pavilion and replace it with a completely new facility. The Board members had before them for approval, as Appendix 1 to the report, plans for a two-storey building.

If the project was to proceed, building work would not commence until the summer of 2003 at the earliest. The best estimate of the total cost of the works (including a figure of £50,000 for inflation and contingencies), was £735,000. A lottery bid had been compiled by officers from the Rugby Club and the Council. It had been inspected and supported by Sport England Officers (Southern Region) and forwarded to their Head Office in London for consideration. If successful, a minimum contribution of 50% of the project cost could be expected from the Sports Lottery Fund. A grant of 58% (ie £426,300) had therefore been requested. The Rugby Club had already raised a total of £107,000 towards the scheme and an approach had been made to Fareham Borough Council for financial support. Gosport Borough Council had already identified an initial sum of £125,000 from the Developer Contributions Account for Sports Pitches. It was hoped that the Council's contribution would be limited to a maximum of £140,000 (dependent upon financial support from the Sports Lottery Fund, Fareham Borough Council, Hampshire County Council and Hampshire Playing Field Association).
RESOLVED: That -

(i) the attached plans for a new pavilion be approved; and

(ii) match funding be provided for the project from the Developer Contributions Sports Pitch account.

15. TRANSFER OF LAND FROM PERSIMMON HOMES TO GOSPORT BOROUGH COUNCIL

Consideration was given to a report of the Leisure and Amenities Manager (a copy of which is inserted in the Minute Book as Appendix "B") concerning the Board's approval for the transfer of land from the ownership of Persimmon Homes to Gosport Borough Council.

It was reported that following the completion of the housing development in the Rowner area protracted negotiations between Persimmon Homes and Gosport Borough Council had resulted in a commuted sum being agreed by both parties which was sufficient to maintain the areas of land "in Perpetuity". Included in the sum was a figure sufficient to bring the areas concerned up to an acceptable standard.

The Board was requested to approve the commuted sum payment of £36,320 and that the area in question be accepted as public open space land as indicated on the plan attached to the report. It was also proposed that the works to improve the appearance of the area be completed as soon as ground conditions allowed.

RESOLVED: That -

(i) the Chief Legal Adviser be authorised to complete the transfer of land into the
Council's ownership as public open space; and

(ii) the commuted sum of £36,320 be approved.

16. EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED: That under Section 100 (A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the under-mentioned items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 9 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act.

17. GOSPORT BOROUGH FOOTBALL CLUB - PROPOSED 25 YEAR LEASE ON THE CLUBHOUSE AND GROUND

The Board considered an exempt report of the Leisure and Amenities Manager (a
copy of which is affixed in the Minute Book as Appendix "C" ) which sought the Board's approval to enter into a 25 year lease with the Trustees nominated by Gosport Borough Football Club. The Manager added that the proposed Lease would be advertised in a local newspaper for two consecutive weeks.

RESOLVED: That the Chief Legal Adviser be authorised to enter into such legal documentation as was necessary to effect a 25 year lease with the Trustees nominated by Gosport Borough Football Club on such terms and conditions as recommended by the Council's Head of Property Services.

18. ASSIGNMENT OF CONTRACTS FROM SITA TO ECOVERT LIMITED

The Board considered an exempt report of the Leisure and Amenities Manager (a
copy of which is affixed in the Minute Book as Appendix "D") which sought the Board's approval for the Director of Development and Environment and the Chief Legal Adviser to enter into negotiations with Ecovert for the assignment of the Other Cleaning Services Contract and the Toilet Cleaning Contract from SITA to Ecovert Limited.

RESOLVED: That the Director of Development and Environment and the Chief Legal Adviser be authorised, in consultation with the Chairman, to negotiate the assignment of the Other Cleaning Services Contract and the Toilet Cleaning Contract from SITA to Ecovert Limited.

RESOLVED: That Minute Nos 13-18 (inclusive) of the meeting of the Community and Environment Board held on 2 September 2002 be received.

CHAIRMAN