Issue - items at meetings - Saltdean Lido

(1)         That it be noted that the terms for the surrender of the Lease of Saltdean Lido (“the surrender”) are recommended to be agreed as outlined in the Part 2 report, agenda item No 5;

(2)         That it be noted as the surrender does not entail the transfer of a going concern, it is inevitable that, if the  terms of the surrender are agreed, the pools and gym part of the Lido would not be immediately open at the start of the summer season; and

(3)         That if the terms of the surrender are agreed, it be agreed that interim management arrangements should be put in place as soon as possible by officers in consultation with the Chair of the Economic Development & Culture Committee.

4.1       The Strategic Director; Communities introduced the report and thanked everyone for attending the special meeting.  He stated that officers had been working right up to the last minute to finalise the papers for the meeting and had had to deal with some very complex arrangements between the council, the leaseholder and the community association.  The existing lease had proved to be very difficult to enforce and had finally led to the decision to go to mediation and the resulting reports coming to the meeting today.  He also stated that should the recommendations be agreed, the council would seek to work with all interested groups to ensure the future of the Lido.  In the meantime, there would be a need to inspect the building and determine its state of condition and what immediate works, if any, were required to maintain safety.  It was hoped that the Lido would be open for the 2013 summer season and officers would look at interim arrangements in the meantime and consult with the Chair of the Economic Development & Culture Committee.

4.2       The Chair stated that he wished to thank the officers concerned for their work and also Councillor Bowden who had been leading on the matter and meeting with residents and representatives of the local groups.

4.3       Councillor Mitchell welcomed the report and stated that she had a number of questions that would be better taken in part two of the meeting, but asked if a further report would be brought to committee and if a time frame for that could be given.

4.4       The Strategic Director; Communities stated that it was hoped to be able to inspect the building on Friday and that a further report could be brought to committee in the autumn, but in the meantime he wanted to ensure that the momentum in regard to taking matters forward could be kept going.

4.5       Councillor G. Theobald stated that he supported the principle of the council taking control of the building and wanted to congratulate everyone involved in enabling the current position to be reached, especially the ward councillors, the local MP and the campaign group.  He also had a number of questions that he would raise in part two of the meeting, and expressed his concern over the likelihood that the Lido would not be open for the current year.

4.6       Councillor Bowden stated that he wished to apologise for the lateness of the papers, but officers had been working right up to the last minute and he also wanted to express his thanks for their work and support.  He welcomed the report and stated that he wanted to reach an outcome that benefited the community and the city.  He was now hopeful that matters could be progressed and the future of the Lido taken forward with either the council or another body enabling the Lido to be open for public enjoyment.

4.7       Councillor West welcomed the report and stated that he was very pleased to see that a resolution had been found and hoped that it would be supported.  He wished to thank everyone involved and paid tribute to Councillor Bowden for his role and work during the protracted negotiations.

4.8       Councillor Peltzer Dunn queried whether the report’s recommendations should be taken at this point or that the meeting should move into closed session for the part two item, before returning to open session to confirm the outcome of the matter and the recommendations in the part one report.

4.9       The Monitoring Officer informed the meeting that the part one report’s recommendations could be considered prior to moving into the closed session.

4.10   The Chair stated that he felt the report should be dealt with and that the meeting should then move into closed session with the item remaining in part two should the committee agree and as such there would be no need to return to an open session.  He therefore put the recommendations to the vote.

4.11   RESOLVED:

(1)         That it be noted that the terms for the surrender of the Lease of Saltdean Lido (“the surrender”) are recommended to be agreed as outlined in the Part 2 report, agenda item No 5;

(2)         That it be noted as the surrender does not entail the transfer of a going concern, it is inevitable that, if the  terms of the surrender are agreed, the pools and gym part of the Lido would not be immediately open at the start of the summer season; and

(3)         That if the terms of the surrender are agreed, it be agreed that interim management arrangements should be put in place as soon as possible by officers in consultation with the Chair of the Economic Development & Culture Committee.