Report of Director of Leisure Services.

The Lead Member for Leisure and Culture presented a report regarding the above.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

Members were reminded that Cabinet, at its meeting on 2^nd November 2006 had considered a report regarding the redevelopment of the areas of land shown on the plan and had requested that public consultations be undertaken to provide a base from which to advance the project.

Since that meeting, approximately 1700 responses had been gathered and evaluated and it was clear that local residents valued the open space and wanted to be able to use the space informally for walking, cycling, sitting and relaxing. There was also a need to construct new and improve existing senior and junior soccer pitches and provide new changing accommodation.

It was proposed that a sum of £800,00 be allocated towards the project from the Council’s Major Regeneration Initiatives Programme.

It was pointed out that in order to mitigate future revenue costs to the Borough Council, discussions were taking place with Great Aycliffe Town Council to establish its willingness to take over the responsibility for maintaining the development, subject to a transfer of land on agreed terms.

RESOLVED :         1.         That the Design and Build project team be commissioned, subject to a satisfactory outcome of discussions with Great Aycliffe Town Council regarding its contribution towards ongoing revenue costs.

                        2.         That the sum of £800,000 be allocated towards the project from the Council’s Major Regeneration Initiatives programme.