Agenda item

This report seeks Cabinet approval for a package of investment and associated financial measures relating to Vale Farm Sports Centre and Willesden Sports Centre as well as seeking approval for 20% discretionary National Non-Domestic Rates (NNDR) relief in relation to Vale Farm Sports Centre and Moberly Sports Centre.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)    To approve capital investment of £2m for a programme of major repairs and renewals at Vale Farm Sports Centre, to address priority asset condition, compliance and operational resilience requirements over the period to 2031.

(2)    To approve capital investment of £850,246 for contract-linked capital enhancements at Vale Farm Sports Centre to modernise and expand the main gym, women’s only gym, studios and wider customer offer.

(3)    To approve a Council contribution of up to £393,752 towards the gym reconfiguration and fitness enhancement scheme at Willesden Sports Centre.

(4)    To approve the proposed variation to the Willesden Sports Centre PFI contractual arrangements required to implement the gym reconfiguration and fitness enhancement scheme and to regularise related existing contractual, financial and commercial matters under the PFI agreement, including matters relating to benchmarking, profit share, indexation, lifecycle and payment arrangements, and to delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Service Reform and Strategy, in consultation with the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources, to finalise and enter into the necessary legal, financial and commercial documentation.

(5)    To approve the award of 20% discretionary NNDR relief in relation to Vale Farm Sports Centre and Moberly Sports Centre, in accordance with the Council’s eligibility criteria for NNDR discretionary relief for charities and non-profit making organisations, and subject to the financial and legal considerations set out in the report.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 29 June 2026

Councillor Dixon (Cabinet Member for Community Safety & Public Health) introduced a report from the Corporate Director Service Reform and Strategy seeking approval for a package of investment and associated financial measures relating to Vale Farm Sports Centre and Willesden Sports Centre as well as approval for  discretionary National Non-Domestic Rates (NNDR) relief in relation to Vale Farm Sports Centre and Moberly Sports Centre.

In presenting the report, Councillor Dixon began by outlining the significant package of investment proposed within the report for two of what were felt to be Brent's most important leisure facilities. Highlighting the increasingly important role of public leisure provision in tackling health inequalities often linked to income, deprivation, ability, age and access, members were advised that the transition to an active well-being model (which the proposed package of investment had been designed to support) had been designed to recognise that leisure facilities should not only be regarded as places to participate but also as part of the local infrastructure for prevention, inclusion, and healthy communities.  In total, the package of measures represented almost £4.25 million worth of investment in leisure provision serving the borough’s residents, including nearly £3.25 million being invested directly by the Council, which was felt to provide a clear demonstration of the commitment to maintaining and improving the facilities valued and relied on by local residents.

In terms of the specific investment proposals, members were advised these had been focussed on the modernisation of facilities aimed at improving the experience for users and helping to ensure that more residents could benefit from all the borough’s leisure centres had to offer whilst also supporting the commitment towards the delivery of active wellbeing.

Commenting on the report, members were keen to highlight their support for the proposed investment in Brent’s leisure facilities recognising that it represented not only an investment in physical assets but also one focused around residents health, wellbeing and quality of life.  In acknowledging the benefits it was felt improved leisure provision would contribute towards a healthier borough, members also acknowledged the associated impact this would have on reducing pressure on public services and delivery of wider social benefits for local communities.

Recognising the investment as key in delivering the Council’s long-term vision and commitment to improving opportunities for physical activity across the borough as well as support of community assets and extending access to affordable leisure opportunities, members thanked all those involved for their efforts in the development and design of the proposals.  The opportunity was also taken to highlight not only the investment in Willesden and Vale Farm Sports Centre’s but also wider leisure estate, with members noting the high quality of facilities available across Brent and also welcoming the way in which they would support broader commitments, including the provision of free swimming opportunities for children and young people recognising the positive impact such schemes had on community health and participation in sport.  Support was also expressed for the pace at which the improvements were planned to be delivered and for their alignment with a number of other key Council priorities, including not only tackling health inequalities but also improving children’s health and wellbeing, the promotion of active lifestyles and active travel, increasing accessibility to leisure opportunities for older people and children including those excluded from more expensive private leisure facilities.

Reflecting on the use and value placed on Brent’s leisure centres by local communities, members also noted that the existing leisure contract was due to expire in 2031, which it was felt would also provide a further opportunity to consider the model of provision moving forward including potential to bring assets back in-house.  In further support of the proposed investment, members were also keen to recognise how the proposals were felt to demonstrate the practical benefits of the prudent financial management approach adopted by the previous Administration as a means of enabling the Council to invest in services valued by residents in a way that would support continued participation in exercise, sport, and community activities and directly contribute to improved life outcomes. Members also noted the development of forthcoming proposals relating to other leisure facilities, including Bridge Park, with the shared aim of ensuring that all Brent residents continued to be able to access affordable, high-quality leisure provision.

In commending the positive impact of the proposed investment in terms of not only the leisure facilities outlined but also wider health and wellbeing of local residents, Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)    To approve capital investment of £2m for a programme of major repairs and renewals at Vale Farm Sports Centre, to address priority asset condition, compliance and operational resilience requirements over the period to 2031.

(2)    To approve capital investment of £850,246 for contract-linked capital enhancements at Vale Farm Sports Centre to modernise and expand the main gym, women’s only gym, studios and wider customer offer.

(3)    To approve a Council contribution of up to £393,752 towards the gym reconfiguration and fitness enhancement scheme at Willesden Sports Centre.

(4)    To approve the proposed variation to the Willesden Sports Centre PFI contractual arrangements required to implement the gym reconfiguration and fitness enhancement scheme and to regularise related existing contractual, financial and commercial matters under the PFI agreement, including matters relating to benchmarking, profit share, indexation, lifecycle and payment arrangements, and to delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Service Reform and Strategy, in consultation with the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources, to finalise and enter into the necessary legal, financial and commercial documentation.

(5)    To approve the award of 20% discretionary NNDR relief in relation to Vale Farm Sports Centre and Moberly Sports Centre, in accordance with the Council’s eligibility criteria for NNDR discretionary relief for charities and non-profit making organisations, and subject to the financial and legal considerations set out in the report.