Agenda item

1.         That an increase to the capital budget of £200,000 be approved, bringing the total approved budget to £2,300,000.

2.         That £1,467,000 District Wide Community Infrastructure Levy funding be approved, including approval of the reallocation of previous approved CIL for Station Approach, Hookpit and Durngate projects.

3.         That an additional £200,000 of Town CIL funding be approved.

4.         That, in addition to the £40,000 already approved for fees, additional capital expenditure of up to £2.26m for the construction of the new River Park Cricket Pavilion be approved.

5.         That a net increase to the Cricket Pavilion revenue budget of £17,500 from 2026/27 be approved, for the ongoing cost for the operation, management and maintenance of the pavilion to be met from existing Town Forum budgets.

6.         That, subject to approval of the recommendations above, and subject to the securing of all required funding, the Corporate Head of Asset Management be authorised to invite and evaluate tenders and to award a design and build contract to the preferred bidder in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and Council’s Contract Procedure Rules for the construction of the River Park Cricket Pavilion.

Councillor Becker introduced the report and summarised the background to the proposal and emphasised that it would result in an accessible facility which would be available for a wide range of uses.  She confirmed that the views of the Winchester Town Forum had been sought and they supported the use of Town Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) for this project.

Mike Caldwell (trustee of The Pavilion Project) spoke during public participation as summarised briefly below.

Mr Caldwell stated that he had been involved with the project since its outset in 2015 and had formed The Pavilion Project (a not-for-profit organisation).  He expressed come disappointment that the initial design proposed was not achieved and project delays had resulted in some funding being lost.  However, he welcomed the commitment to fund the pavilion which would provide excellent facilities for the two adjacent cricket pitches in addition to other sports and general users.  He thanked Councillor Becker and the Corporate Head of Economy and Community for the report which was fully supported by The Pavilion Project.

At the invitation of the Leader, Councillors Lee and Tippett-Cooper addressed Cabinet as summarised briefly below.

Councillor Lee

He welcomed the proposals to improve the provision of sports facilities.  With reference to the future ground maintenance, he requested that when the contract was renewed the use of pesticides and herbicides be reviewed.  He welcomed the use of Solar PV panels in the project and queried whether a green roof could also be added.

Councillor Tippett-Cooper

He emphasised the district-wide benefits of the project and also the large number of possible alternative uses for the pavilion in addition to facilitating the adjacent cricket pitches.  These included by football clubs, as a base for the park run and space for Streetreach outreach groups.  He thanked Mr Caldwell and The Pavilion Project and all others involved in bringing forward the project.

Councillors Becker and Tod responded to the comments made including confirming that the grounds maintenance contract was due for renewal in 2027 and it was intended the renewal would reflect the wider council priorities.  On behalf of Cabinet, both councillors also thanked Mr Caldwell and the other members of The Pavilion Project for their work in bringing the project forward.

Cabinet agreed to the following for the reasons set out in the report and outlined above.

RESOLVED:

1.                  That an increase to the capital budget of £200,000 be approved, bringing the total approved budget to £2,300,000.

2.                  That £1,467,000 District Wide Community Infrastructure Levy funding be approved, including approval of the reallocation of previous approved CIL for Station Approach, Hookpit and Durngate projects.

3.                  That an additional £200,000 of Town CIL funding be approved.

4.                  That, in addition to the £40,000 already approved for fees, additional capital expenditure of up to £2.26m for the construction of the new River Park Cricket Pavilion be approved.

5.                  That a net increase to the Cricket Pavilion revenue budget of £17,500 from 2026/27 be approved, for the ongoing cost for the operation, management and maintenance of the pavilion to be met from existing Town Forum budgets.

6.                  That, subject to approval of the recommendations above, and subject to the securing of all required funding, the Corporate Head of Asset Management be authorised to invite and evaluate tenders and to award a design and build contract to the preferred bidder in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and Council’s Contract Procedure Rules for the construction of the River Park Cricket Pavilion.