Consideration was given to recommendation FRP 23/27 of the Finance, Regeneration and Property Scrutiny Select Committee in respect of the future of the existing Angel Centre building.
Due regard was given to the operational, building fabric and climate change considerations, together with the views expressed by the Leisure Trust and the Scrutiny Select Committee. The financial implications and advantages and disadvantages of both refurbishment and new facility options were also taken into account.
Members recognised that, due to the age, design and changing nature of leisure provision, the Angel Centre was no longer fit for purpose without significant investment in both plant and equipment. In addition, substantial investment would be required to reduce the carbon footprint of the building to achieve the Borough Council’s carbon neutral aspirations for its leisure facilities. At this stage, any decision was ‘in-principle’ only to allow phase 2 of the Tonbridge Town Centre asset review work to progress.
On the grounds of providing clarity regarding the Borough Council’s review of its assets in Tonbridge, supporting climate change and ensuring that leisure facilities in the town were fit for purpose and represented value for money, the Leader proposed that the Angel Centre be demolished and replacement leisure facilities be provided; and in-principle, all options be kept on the table for the future location of the replacement leisure facilities within Tonbridge and the nature of such replacement facilities. This was seconded by Cllr Betts and supported unanimously.
RESOLVED: That
(1) in principle, the Angel Centre be demolished and replacement leisure and community facilities be provided in Tonbridge and, in principle, all options be kept on the table for the future location and nature of such replacement leisure and community facilities within Tonbridge.
[In accordance with the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, this decision was the subject of a call-in and was scrutinised by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 10 January 2024. Members of the Committee considered the grounds for the call-in and had regard to the responses provided by the Leader. After in-depth discussion and a formal vote the Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommended that decision D230106CAB be amended to include the words ‘in principle’ before ‘the Angel Centre’ and ‘community and leisure facilities’. Cabinet resolved to amend the decision as recommended by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and it came into effect on 10 January 2024.]