Issue - items at meetings - Ice Rink - Potential Provision in Brighton & Hove

Report of the Acting Executive Director for Economy, Environment & Culture (copy attached).

1)    That the committee notes the significant challenges in achieving a new ice rink in the city.

2)    That the committee agrees for the council to undertake a soft market testing exercise over a four month period to identify if there is the potential for an ice rink to be provided in the city. 

3)    That the committee agrees for the Council to research in detail potential grants that might be available for the ice rink project.

8.1       The Committee considered a report of the Acting Executive Director for Economy, Environment & Culture in relation to Ice Rink - Potential Provision in Brighton & Hove. The report provided a brief overview of ice rink provision and previous proposals in the city, a broad overview to the challenges faced in providing an ice rink through examples of the funding and operation of ice rinks in the United Kingdom, and sought agreement from the Committee to initiate a soft market testing exercise to identify if there was potential for an ice rink in the city.

8.2       In response to Councillor Morris it was explained that running costs varied across different ice rinks; often the financial model was linked to the type of facility.

8.3       The Chair noted there was a proposed amendment from the Conservative Group and called upon Councillor Nemeth to formally propose the amendment, and Councillor C. Theobald to second.

8.4       Councillor Nemeth stated he was initially unsure about supporting the first recommendation in the report as he had not been part of the discussions in relation to sports and leisure facilities provision at the large regeneration sites in the city. He stated that the amendment sought to give greater weight to recommendation 2.2 through the addition of a site study. He asked the Committee to support the proposed amendment.

8.5       Councillor C. Theobald formally seconded the amendment and stated that the city should have an ice rink facility.

8.6       Councillor O’Quinn stated that the ice rink in Guilford had been very successful; she suggested that a potential site could be identified on the seafront in Hove. In response to a question it was clarified by Officers that were the amendment carried it would likely slow down the process due to the need to undertake a site search.

8.7       Councillor Cattell highlighted her concern in relation to rooftops sites and noted that weight and structural stability would be a significant factor in the consideration of site suitability.

8.8       Councillor Peltzer Dunn argued that any facility would need to be viable in the long term and would likely have to be part of a wider development with other sports facilities. He welcomed the proposed amendment as a means to strengthen the recommendations.

8.9       Councillor Morris noted his concerns in relation to the long term viability of an ice rink in the city; however, he added that the hippodrome had the potential to be used. He felt any facility would need to be developed on a site that offered other sports facilities.

8.10    Councillor Mac Cafferty noted that this report had come following a petition which was debated at Council, and argued that the Council should look at this as effectively as possible.

8.11    The Chair then put the proposed amendment from the Conservative Group to the vote. The vote was tied with 5 in support and 5 against and the Chair exercised his casting vote to defeat the amendment which was therefore not carried.

8.11    Councillor Horan proposed an amendment to include only the second additional recommendation from the defeated Conservative Group amendment.

8.12    Councillor Cattell formally seconded the amendment.

8.13    The Chair then put the proposed amendment to the vote. This was carried.

8.14    The Chair then put the amended recommendations to the vote.

8.15    RESOLVED:

1)        That the committee notes the significant challenges in achieving a new ice rink in the city.

2)        That the committee agrees for the council to undertake a soft market testing exercise over a four month period to identify if there is the potential for an ice rink to be provided in the city. 

3)        That the committee agrees for the Council to research in detail potential grants that might be available for the ice rink project.