Agenda and minutes

None.

No apologies were received as all Members were present.

Kevin Toogood, Monitoring Officer confirmed the minutes of the meeting held on 13 March 2023 were a correct record.  The  Cabinet agreed the minutes and they were signed by the Chairman.

None.

The Chairman noted the new procedure where the leaders of the opposition parties, Cllrs Kenny and Chapman could make contributions to an agenda item, and though they would not be involved in the subsequent Cabinet debate, their input would be respected and considered. 

The Chairman noted there was an exempt report.

Cllrs Eves and Kenny thanked the Cabinet for the opportunity to speak at the meetings. Cllr Eves welcomed the proposed mammal crossing and Cllr Kenny suggested that costs for using the UK Leisure framework could be included in the report.

Simon Hughes, Director People and Commercial Services introduced the report.  He highlighted that the Brookleigh development will provide 80 hectares of new green open space, including 9 hectares of high-quality facilities at the Centre for Outdoor Sports for the public; the Centre will form a key part of the Council’s Playing Pitch Strategy for Mid Sussex.  He confirmed the cost of using the framework was low and would be included in future reports.

Members welcomed the extensive open space in the Brookleigh development, the wider strategy to improve sports facilities across the District and expressed concern with the use of rubber crumb under artificial sports surfaces.

The Vice-Chairman confirmed regarding mammal crossings that nature recovery is a priority for the new Administration.

The Director People and Commercial Services noted ecology surveys are being undertaken to identify any needs of the site, and future reports can, as required, include estimated procurement costs for the use of frameworks.  He confirmed Rob Anderton, Assistant Director Commercial Services and Contracts will investigate the viability of sustainable infill material for pitches and possible changes in standards.

The Leader confirmed he had been involved in the scheme since 2010 and the Centre for Outdoor Sports is part of a wider scheme to address playing pitch deficits across the District.  He noted there were requirements for other sports and the 2018 strategy underpins any decisions.

The Chairman advised Cabinet had already reviewed the commercially sensitive Information in agenda item 7.  He proposed that the Press and Public need not be excluded from the remainder of the meeting as there was no need of an exempt session.

This was unanimously agreed by a general affirmation. 

RESOLVED

That the public and press would not be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item in accordance with Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the said Act.

The exempt annexe contains project costings. These costings are commercially sensitive and exempt from publication under paragraph 3 of Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Leader took the Members to the recommendations which were agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet approved procurement of a delivery partner for the CfOS project via the UK Leisure Framework.