Issue - meetings

(Report of the Director of Place and Sustainability. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Communities). The report seeks approval for the Council to enter into a long term lease with the Finsbury Park Sports Partnership Ltd for the Finsbury Park Track and Gym and tennis courts.

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Communities, with regard to the long term leasing of the Finsbury Park Track and Gym and Tennis Courts to the Finsbury Park Sports Partnership Limited.

Cabinet was advised that it was necessary to amend the recommendations set out in the original report in order to allow further time to respond to representations made by local residents’ groups that had not received a response from the Council within the prescribed timetable. Councillor Watson apologised for this oversight and noted that he would be reviewing how consultation responses were responded to by officers.

The recommendations had also been amended to require the Agreement to Lease and the Lease itself to be brought back to Cabinet for final approval.

RESOLVED:

        i.            That, subject to the recommendations set out in paragraph (ii) below, the Council be authorised dispose of Finsbury Park Sports Partnership Limited and Gym area and Tennis Courts, both of which form part of Finsbury Park in terms to be agreed and also in accordance with the key milestones set out in the report.

      ii.            That the Agreement to Lease and Lease itself was brought back to Cabinet for final approval.

    iii.            That the grant, as set out in paragraph 7.4 of the report be authorised.

     iv.            That the investment proposals submitted by the Partnership be endorsed, subject to successful funding applications to a range of external partners.

       v.            That the amended opening hours and operation of the park, as referred to in the report, be approved. 

Alternative Options Considered

The February 2011 Cabinet report considered the future direction of leisure service delivery and the various options available. The option of leasing out Finsbury Park Track and Gym was approved and officers then advertised the leasehold opportunity in November 2011.

Subsequently during the informal tender process a query was raised about including the tennis courts within the tender package in order to improve prospects for financial sustainability. This was in line with successful Council practice at Albert Road Recreation Ground.

Two bids were considered and evaluated. The Partnership bid was considered the strongest for a number of reasons:

a)      The robustness of their proposal indicated that external funding stood a good chance of being obtained and that they could run a successful business while actively engaging the local community.

b)      In principle support from Sport’s National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and external funders.

c)      Provision and engagement of a wider range of sports and stakeholders.

d)      Stronger evidence of local community engagement and support.

Reasons for Decision

This decision is required to implement the approach agreed by Cabinet in February 2011 to lease out the facility to local clubs/agencies. The public consultation undertaken indicated strong support for a change to park opening hours and improved sports facilities at Finsbury Park.

The risk in adopting this approach is mitigated by the two step approach incorporating the initial ‘Agreement to Lease’ phase’.