Decision Maker: Co-operative Executive
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: Yes
To agree an additional package of funding support to Sheffield City Trust in order to enable the Trust to reopen Ponds Forge.
4.1 |
The Executive Director, Resources, submitted a report reviewing the decision taken on 11th August 2020 regarding the re-opening of leisure facilities and recommending an additional package of funding support to Sheffield City Trust (SCT) in order to enable the Trust to reopen Ponds Forge.
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on SCT ability to generate income from events at Ponds Forge and without additional funding from Sheffield City Council it will not be possible to re-open Ponds Forge. |
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4.2 |
RESOLVED: That Cabinet, after considering the detail in the report, approves:-
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4.3 |
Reasons for Decision |
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The financial support to SCT to re-open Ponds Forge will allow an increased range of facilities to re-open and will contribute to the health and wellbeing of residents. |
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4.4 |
Alternatives Considered and Rejected |
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The alternative options considered included keeping Ponds Forge closed. In conjunction with SCT, Sheffield City Council is currently developing the future strategy for leisure and entertainment in the city and as part of that work is looking at areas for potential investment. There was an option to assess the potential to accelerate improvement works at Ponds Forge whilst the venue remained closed as this would avoid disruption in the future. However following consideration this option was ruled out because it was felt that re-opening Ponds Forge during 2020/21 would potentially help to restart the city centre economy, support students returning to the city, provide access for disability groups and other community users (226k visits per year) as well as a number of clubs and groups. Considering the wider implications of keeping this facility closed, particularly the impact on community groups that rely on this facility, along with the need to get our city centre moving again, means that we are making a recommendation to provide funding for the remainder of the financial year 2020-2021 to re-open the facility to all users.
A further option to open Ponds Forge for only club use was also considered. This option was ruled out as it did not provide equality of access for a wide range of users of Ponds Forge. The cost of this option was estimated at £90k per month (excluding lifecycle costs), with the clubs contributing c£30k and the Council needing to contribute the remaining £60k. This option was not supported due to the relatively small number of users it would support. |
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4.5 |
Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted |
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None |
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4.6 |
Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration |
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The appendix to the report is not for publication by virtue of Regulation 20(2) Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 because, in the opinion of the proper officer, it contains exempt information under Paragraphs 3 and 5 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. |
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4.7 |
Respective Director Responsible for Implementation |
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Eugene Walker, Executive Director, Resources. |
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4.8 |
Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In |
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Economic and Environmental Wellbeing Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee. |
Report author: Lisa Firth
Publication date: 24/09/2020
Date of decision: 23/09/2020
Decided at meeting: 23/09/2020 - Co-operative Executive
Effective from: 01/10/2020
Accompanying Documents: