Agenda item

10.1

The Executive Director, Place submitted a report seeking a Cabinet decision on accepting the closure of the Don Valley Stadium and to declare the site surplus to service requirements. It also sought approval to re-open a refurbished Woodbourn Athletics Stadium as the new home for City athletics.

10.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:-

(a)

notes and accepts the Sheffield City Trust proposal to close Don Valley Stadium from 30 September 2013;

(b)

approves the demolition of Don Valley Stadium following its closure and to declare the site surplus to service requirements, enabling alternative options for the site to be fully considered;

(c)

delegates to the Executive Director, Place, in consultation with the Director of Legal Services and Director of Finance (and where they relate to property arrangements in consultation with the Director of Capital and Major Projects) the authority to agree such amendments to or consents under the legal arrangements with Sheffield City Trust and Sheffield International Venues as well with the leasing banks as appropriate to achieve the closure and demolition of Don Valley Stadium;

(d)

notes the proposal to re-open a refurbished Woodbourn Athletics Stadium;

(e)

delegates to the Executive Director, Place, in consultation with the Director of Legal Services, Director of Finance and the Director of Capital and Major Projects the authority to enter into such legal arrangements as appropriate to achieve the refurbishment and re-opening of Woodbourn Athletics Stadium;

(f)

notes that a separate capital approval submission will be made for the necessary authority to undertake and procure the proposed works at Woodbourn Stadium; and

(g)

delegates to the Executive Director, Place to take further steps as he thinks appropriate to achieve the outcomes outlined in the report, including entering into arrangements with third parties.

10.3

Reasons for Decision

1.3.1

The City Council has to make savings of £50m in 2013/14, largely as a result of significant reductions in Government funding. The City’s sports facilities have to take a share of the cuts and the closure of Don Valley Stadium was recommended by the Sheffield City Trust because of its high cost; its relatively low usage and the availability of an alternative low cost/high quality athletics facility at Woodbourn Road. The City’s athletics clubs have indicated a willingness to relocate outdoor athletics to Woodbourn and the City is already working with Sport England and England Athletics (athletics’ national governing body) on a joint approach to its refurbishment.

10.3.2

Work is also underway regarding the relocation of other activities from Don Valley to alternative suitable venues.

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.4.1

Both the City Council and Sheffield City Trust have considered a wide range of options to achieve the necessary budget reductions and both have concluded that this option is the one that has the least impact on sports participation and health in the City. The alternative would be the closure of several community facilities that would have far higher adverse impact.

10.4.2

Work is on-going to review future options for the stadium and/or site beyond its closure in September.

10.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

10.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

10.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Simon Green, Executive Director, Place

10.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Economic and Environmental Wellbeing

10.1

The Executive Director, Place submitted a report seeking a Cabinet decision on accepting the closure of the Don Valley Stadium and to declare the site surplus to service requirements. It also sought approval to re-open a refurbished Woodbourn Athletics Stadium as the new home for City athletics.

10.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:-

(a)

notes and accepts the Sheffield City Trust proposal to close Don Valley Stadium from 30 September 2013;

(b)

approves the demolition of Don Valley Stadium following its closure and to declare the site surplus to service requirements, enabling alternative options for the site to be fully considered;

(c)

delegates to the Executive Director, Place, in consultation with the Director of Legal Services and Director of Finance (and where they relate to property arrangements in consultation with the Director of Capital and Major Projects) the authority to agree such amendments to or consents under the legal arrangements with Sheffield City Trust and Sheffield International Venues as well with the leasing banks as appropriate to achieve the closure and demolition of Don Valley Stadium;

(d)

notes the proposal to re-open a refurbished Woodbourn Athletics Stadium;

(e)

delegates to the Executive Director, Place, in consultation with the Director of Legal Services, Director of Finance and the Director of Capital and Major Projects the authority to enter into such legal arrangements as appropriate to achieve the refurbishment and re-opening of Woodbourn Athletics Stadium;

(f)

notes that a separate capital approval submission will be made for the necessary authority to undertake and procure the proposed works at Woodbourn Stadium; and

(g)

delegates to the Executive Director, Place to take further steps as he thinks appropriate to achieve the outcomes outlined in the report, including entering into arrangements with third parties.

10.3

Reasons for Decision

1.3.1

The City Council has to make savings of £50m in 2013/14, largely as a result of significant reductions in Government funding. The City’s sports facilities have to take a share of the cuts and the closure of Don Valley Stadium was recommended by the Sheffield City Trust because of its high cost; its relatively low usage and the availability of an alternative low cost/high quality athletics facility at Woodbourn Road. The City’s athletics clubs have indicated a willingness to relocate outdoor athletics to Woodbourn and the City is already working with Sport England and England Athletics (athletics’ national governing body) on a joint approach to its refurbishment.

10.3.2

Work is also underway regarding the relocation of other activities from Don Valley to alternative suitable venues.

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.4.1

Both the City Council and Sheffield City Trust have considered a wide range of options to achieve the necessary budget reductions and both have concluded that this option is the one that has the least impact on sports participation and health in the City. The alternative would be the closure of several community facilities that would have far higher adverse impact.

10.4.2

Work is on-going to review future options for the stadium and/or site beyond its closure in September.

10.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

10.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

10.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Simon Green, Executive Director, Place

10.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Economic and Environmental Wellbeing