Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – PLACE

To provide an update on the project to decarbonise the Council’s leisure centres, including predicted growth in ongoing revenue costs, due to revised modelling of the impact of installing air source heat pumps at the facilities.

RESOLVED:That Cabinet agreed in principle to proceed with Option 4a as detailed in paragraph 8.9.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL: To proceed with Option 4a and approve the additional forecast capital and ongoing revenue costs (including revenue costs of capital) and note the ongoing project risks.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION:To identify the most appropriate way forward for the leisure centre decarbonisation project, taking into account both the environmental benefits of the project and the impact on the Council’s wider financial position.

Audio recording 1 hour 53 minutes and 26 seconds

Councillor Mick Debenham, as the Executive Member for Environment, Leisure and Green Spaces, presented the report entitled ‘Decarbonisation of Leisure Centres Update’ and advised that:

·       Due to additional information becoming available a new cover report had been published as a supplementary document.

·       The Council was at the detailed design stage of the project to significantly decarbonise the three leisure centres of the Council.

·       This project had become possible due to a £7.74 million grant from the government alongside a capital contribution from the Council.

·       Issues had been identified with the running costs and efficiency of the heat pumps originally specified to replace the boilers.

·       There were larger, more efficient heat pumps available which were bespoke and on a longer lead time.

·       The Council had received confirmation from Salix that the larger heat pumps could be paid for in advance of the 31 March 2025 budget deadline.

·       There was a financial implication of both increased running costs and the capital costs involved with larger heat pumps.

·       An M&E consultant had been employed to work alongside the quantity surveyor, to review the design of the heat pumps to ensure they were specified correctly.

In response to a question from Councillor Daniel Allen, Councillor Mick Debenham advised that the figures in the budget would cover all the decarbonisation works required.

The following Members took part in the debate:

·       Councillor Amy Allen

·       Councillor Ian Albert

·       Councillor Dave Winstanley

·       Councillor Mick Debenham

Points raised during the debate included:

·       This was an excellent opportunity to decarbonise the leisure centres and the opportunity of a government grant may not always be available.

·       Members agreed with proceeding with Option 4a to instruct Willmott Dixon to design and order larger, bespoke heat pumps.

Councillor Mick Debenham proposed and Councillor Tamsin Thomas seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That Cabinet agreed in principle to proceed with Option 4a as detailed in paragraph 8.9.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL: To proceed with Option 4a and approve the additional forecast capital and ongoing revenue costs (including revenue costs of capital) and note the ongoing project risks.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION: To identify the most appropriate way forward for the leisure centre decarbonisation project, taking into account both the environmental benefits of the project and the impact on the Council’s wider financial position.