Issue - meetings

Members will receive a presentation to update on progress on the new Leisure Centre.

Members received a presentation showing progress made on developing the new leisure centre on Argents Mead and highlighting that the project was two-thirds complete and on programme for opening in May 2016. A member expressed concern that, whilst it had been hoped that building the leisure centre on Argents Mead would increase footfall at the top part of Castle Street, the Co-op was now closing without having benefitted from this potential increase. Members were informed that officers had made every attempt to arrange to meet with the Co-op management to discuss their decision to move out of their large Castle Street store, but this had not been achieved. It was, however, stated that there had been interest in the unit from other large national companies.

The good progress on the leisure centre and the other successful capital projects during 2015 was noted and officers were thanked for their work. It was agreed that a visit be arranged for members to the new Leisure Centre in the New Year.