Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of Environment and Housing which provides an update on the development of Middleton Park undertaken since 2014. The report highlights the evolution of land use proposals for the site; within the context of the Council’s commitment to the establishment of a cycling legacy following the 2014 Tour de France Grand Depart and the continuing benefit of the Tour de Yorkshire.

The Director of Environment and Housing submitted a report which provided an update on the development of Middleton Park undertaken since 2014, and highlighted the evolution of land use proposals for the site, with specific reference to a proposal for the development of an urban bike park.

Members welcomed the proposals detailed within the submitted report, noted the interest that the project had already generated within the local community, together with the aim of the proposals to build upon the legacy of the 2014 Tour de France Grand Depart.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the injection of £400k of grant funding from British Cycling, as a contribution towards the costs of establishing a series of trails and cycling facilities within Middleton Park, be authorised;

(b)  That the injection of £238.5k of grant funding from Sport England, as a contribution towards the cost of enhancing and renovating the former golf club house facility in Middleton Park in order to enhance opportunities for community engagement and participation in physical activity and to support the cycle trail facility, be authorised;

(c)  That the injection of a revenue income contribution of £240.0k from Parks and Countryside, together with the transfer of existing Leeds City Council match funding from within the current capital programme of £284.0k into the scheme, be authorised;

(d)  That expenditure of £1,162.5k to deliver an Urban Bike Park in Middleton Park, be authorised;

(e)  That the conditions attached to the funding to be provided by Sport England, namely the requirement to use both professional support and building contractors that are part of a competitively tendered framework contract established by Sport England, be noted, and with this in mind, approval be given that Contract Procedure Rules 8.1, 8.2, 9.1 and 9.2 are waivered in order to support these appointments to implement any necessary improvements to the building, subject to the successful receipt of planning consent;

(f)  That it be noted under Contract Procedure Rule 3.1.4, that all external landscaping works are to be undertaken and overseen by the Parks and Countryside Service. It also be noted however, that as a condition of the grant from British Cycling, the service is required to engage with a trail construction specialist for technical elements of the development, and as such, approval be given that Contract Procedure Rules 8.1 and 8.2 are waivered in order to support the direct appointment of a specialist contractor to provide this support function;

(g)  That the engagement work already taking place on site be noted, and that the necessary authority be delegated to the Director of City Development in order to agree terms with Cycle Pathways, at market consideration, for their use of the former golf club house building, with the agreement that any arrangement entered into should include a community use agreement in order to facilitate the continued use of the facility by community organisations, groups and the Local Authority in its sport development activities;

(h)  That it be noted that the Chief Officer Parks and Countryside will be responsible  ...  view the full minutes text for item 172