Agenda item

New Bridge Park Centre

The report seeks approval for enhancements made to the leisure provision in relation to the New Bridge Park site, incorporating additional community facilities, enterprise space and New Accommodation for Independent Living (NAIL) along with delegated authority to enter into a revised Conditional Land Sale Agreement (CLSA) to reflect the enhanced provision.

Decision:

RESOLVED that:

i) Cabinet approved the New Bridge Park Centre provision on the retained site as per the table referenced in paragraph 3.17 of the report from the Strategic Director of Community and Wellbeing.

ii) Cabinet agreed that any land receipt from the sale proceeds of the current Bridge Park site will be used to provide the significantly enhanced community and leisure facilities in the New Bridge Park Centre in response to the community consultation.

iii) Cabinet noted that separate budget provision would be sought for the NAIL housing and enterprise space as part of the capital budget setting process.

iv) Cabinet delegated authority to the Strategic Director of Resources in consultation with the Lead Member for Resources to agree the changes needed to the Conditional Land Sale Agreement to deliver the enhanced facilities.

v) Cabinet delegated authority to the Strategic Director of Community and Wellbeing in consultation with the Lead Member for Public Health, Culture & Leisure to agree the final design for the New Bridge Park Centre.

vi) Cabinet agreed that consultation is to take place in relation to any transitional arrangement for the existing Bridge Park Community Leisure Centre and opening of the New Bridge Park Centre.

vii) Cabinet agreed that the retained site be appropriated for planning purposes in accordance with section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972.

viii) Cabinet delegated authority to the Strategic Director of Community and Wellbeing in consultation with the Lead Member for Public Health, Culture & Leisure to set up a resident advisory group as described in paragraph 3.26 of the report from the Strategic Director of Community and Wellbeing.

Minutes:

Councillor Krupesh Hirani, Lead Member for Public Health, Culture and Leisure, introduced the report regarding proposals for the new Bridge Park Centre on the site at the junction of Harrow Road and North Circular Road in Stonebridge. He stated that the Cabinet had previously agreed the leisure provision for the site in February 2014, after the council had consulted on five possible options. A design outline based on the approved provision had been drawn up in 2017 and in view of the length of time passed, a further consultation had been undertaken. The results of the consultation were summarised in the report and it was noted that the Council had placed significant weight on the feedback from Bridge Park Community Leisure Centre (BPCLC) users and community groups. The report detailed an enhanced proposal for Cabinet approval, which had been developed to reflect the feedback from the recent consultation. The proposal included expanded leisure provision, additional community facilities and enterprise space, and New Accommodation for Independent Living (NAIL) housing.

Councillor Mili Patel, Lead Member for Children’s Safeguarding, Early Help and Social Care, noted the provision for children up to the age of five years old but questioned what would be available for those aged five to 17 years old and whether the proposed advisory group would include representatives of this cohort.

Councillor Hirani advised that input from young people would be welcomed and this would be considered when establishing the membership of the advisory group. The enhanced provision would improve the offer for all ages and would be accessible to all.