Decision details

i) To seek approval to submit an application to round 2 of the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.

ii) To seek approval in principle to the content of the bid recognising that there are further approvals required should the bid be successful

That the leader:
1) Note the content of the report; and
2) Approves the submission of an application to the Levelling Up round 2; and
3) Agrees in principle to the proposals in the bid, subject to any future approvals being obtained should Levelling Up funding be awarded.

For the reasons set out in the report, the Leader is asked to approve the submission of an application to the Levelling Up round 2 for the development of a new Leisure and Cultural Hub in Arnold town centre and endorse the principle of the proposals in the bid, subject to any future approvals being obtained should funding be awarded.

In deciding to develop and submit a Levelling Up proposal the Council considered whether a Do Nothing Option was appropriate. This was dismissed as the Levelling Up Fund provides the Council with a unique opportunity to realise its ambitions for Arnold and secure funding to transform its town. This funding is essential to ensure its long term viability though the provision of modern accessible and future proofed leisure and cultural facilities. Without this funding any interventions would fail to be transformative particularly as no other funding is available.

The option appraisal to be submitted to the DLUHC includes a comprehensive range of alternative options which were discounted on the grounds of failing to meet/achieve the following criteria:
o Strategic fit/need including national, regional and local,
o Deliverability/achievability,
o Affordability,
o Benefit realisation /value for money.

Only the preferred option provided a deliverable and affordable scheme that could realise benefits and provide value for money, whilst meeting strategic priorities (including Levelling Up priorities) and addressing the local needs of the borough. The proposal providing the opportunity for transformational change and benefits. The options considered included:

1. Do Nothing;
2. Renovate existing leisure and theatre facilities;
3. Construct a replacement facility on current leisure site – pool and theatre at the current leisure site;
4. Construct a new leisure and theatre hub on an alternative out-of-town site;
5. Construct a new expanded leisure centre with fitness suite (no theatre or library) in Arnold town centre; and
6. Construct a new Leisure and Cultural Hub in Arnold town centre.