Agenda item

Councillor John Belsey moved the item noting that when the programme was proposed by Places Leisure to upgrade the Dolphin Leisure Centre it was unanimously supported by Cabinet. Councillor Llewellyn-Burke seconded the item. With regards to the Budget Management progress report she noted that point vii of the report includes the £198,000 for the Dolphin Leisure Centre improvements.  She also clarified that the underspend is extra income from property that the Council has purchased since the budget had been agreed. 

A number of Members welcomed the improvements proposed to The Dolphin, noting that it was important to invest in key assets within the district in order to continue to provide excellent facilities for residents’ wellbeing.

A Member raised a number of questions relating to recycling at the leisure centres. It was confirmed that that Places Leisure already arrange for the separate collection of waste and recycling from all their facilities in Mid Sussex and at present, visitors to the Leisure Centres are able to recycle the same items as householders. With regards to the Costa outlet at the Triangle, and the proposed facility at The Dolphin, these are run directly by Places Leisure under a franchise agreement. Any takeaway cups and other recyclable materials are recycled under the same regime as the centres. He noted that there are currently no plans to incorporate grey water recycling into the work programme for The Triangle or The Dolphin. Councillor Belsey stated that he will provide a written update to Members on whether grey water is currently recycled through other activities, such as watering flower beds. He also agreed to provide an update on the progress of new car parking spaces at the Dolphin. He also encouraged Members to raise any resident’s concerns with Officers as soon as they come to their attention so that they can be dealt with promptly.

A Member asked a question about the delay to the telephony system upgrade. It was confirmed that this will be rolled out following an upgrade to the Finance, and Revenues and Benefits systems, with no need to reapprove the funding in the Capital Programme.

The Chairman took Members to the recommendations for both meetings, which were agreed.

RESOLVED

Council Approves:

In relation to the Dolphin Leisure Centre Proposed Improvement Works:

(a)        the proposed works to the Dolphin Leisure Centre, which will be jointly funded by Places Leisure and the Council; and

(b)        agree a variation to the 2019/20 capital programme, allocating £198k towards this project from General Reserve.

In relation to the Budget Management 2019/20 Progress Report to May 2019:

(a)        that £17,484 grant income relating to Local Authority EU Exit preparation Grant be transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 22 of the Cabinet report;

(b)        that £9,916 grant income relating to Cold Weather Fund Payment Grant be transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 23 of the Cabinet report;

(c)        that £5,893 grant income relating to Local Authority Data Sharing Programme Grant be transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 24 of the Cabinet report;

(d)        that £28,200 grant income relating to New Burdens Universal credits be transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 25 of the Cabinet report;

(e)        that £24,857 grant income relating to Implementing Welfare Reform Grant be transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 26 of the Cabinet report;

(f)        that £756 grant income relating to New Burdens Single Fraud Investigation Service Grant be transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 27 of the Cabinet report;

(g)        that £31,658 grant income relating to New Burdens Verify Earnings & Pensions Grant be transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 28 of the Cabinet report;