Agenda item

The Executive Member for Wellbeing submitted a report that invited the Members of Overview and Scrutiny Committee to review progress of the Hertford Theatre and Hartham Leisure centre capital development projects.

The Executive Member for Wellbeing set out the context for the report and said that these projects had been approved by Council and the business plans had all been approved and confirmed. He said that he hoped any discussions at this meeting would be focussed on how the Council was delivering on those decisions.

The Executive Member said that Grange Paddocks, Bishop’s Stortford was almost completed and would be opening soon and Hartham Leisure Centre was also well underway. He said that Hertford Theatre had received planning approval and demolition would commence by the end of the year subject to the receipt of tenders from contractors.

The Executive Member said that ambitions had evolved and he hoped that the constructions elements of both Hartham Leisure Centre and Hertford Theatre would achieve Building Research Establishment's Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) excellent ratings in terms of sustainability. He commented on the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and talked about other considerations including rights of way and sewers in the case of Hartham Leisure Centre.

The Executive Member said that Officers had kept the Leisure Board and Hertford Theatre Project Board fully briefed so that decisions could be made in moving the projects forward. He acknowledged that having a number of capital projects running concurrently was challenging but the Executive was committed to providing a crucial network of social infrastructure that would play a big part in delivering the Health and Wellbeing Strategy and corporate goals for the physical and mental wellbeing of residents in East Herts.

Councillor Brady asked about the costs and timing of the capital projects and whether the supplies of bulk cement at present were a cause for concern. The Executive Member took the point that there had been difficulties and he commented on the national shortage of HGV drivers.  He said that Officers had worked closely with potential contractors and were working with all parties to ensure that there was a minimal impact on project delivery.

Councillor Frecknall asked a question about the timing of the closure of Hertford Theatre in June for a contract that wasn’t due to be awarded until November at the earliest. He commented on the potential impact on the revenue gain for the last 6 months of 2021, including the impending pantomime season.

The Executive Member said that Hertford Theatre was closed for a considerable period of time as the nature of programming and bookings had meant that it was not easy to switch a theatre on and off. He said that a decision had been made about the next steps as it had not been possible to run the theatre at break-even. He said that asbestos removal had been scheduled to avoid delays and a lot of effort had been put in by the director of the theatre in keeping in touch with current and future users of Hertford Theatre.

Councillor Hollebon said that these projects had considerably impacted on the Council’s finances. She asked if Members could be assured that the Council was getting value for money.

The Executive Member said that this had been already been demonstrated. He emphasised the commitment of Officers and the Executive in ensuring that the Council did get value for money.

Councillor Curtis said that he welcomed the work being done to ensure that projects were delivered in a cost effective way. He asked the Executive Member if the tenders for Hertford Theatre were estimates or hard quotes. The Executive Member for Wellbeing said that there was a budget that had been approved by Council and he could not comment on the tenders and the Council would have to deliver what was possible within the approved budget.

Councillor Symonds asked if proposed improved accessibility would include blue badge spaces within the grounds of Hertford Theatre. The Head of Operations said that Officers in the Parking Team were looking into the matter of blue badge parking.

Councillor Bell asked if any consideration had been given to the use of the grounds of Hertford Theatre in Summer 2022 for open air theatre shows. The Executive Member for Wellbeing encouraged Members to respond to the strategy consultation in respect of parks and open spaces.

The Executive Member and the Head of Operations answered a question from Councillor Goldspink in respect of a risk of sewage diversion works regarding Hartham Leisure Centre.

Councillor Andrews proposed and Councillor Hollebon seconded, a motion that Members review the Hertford Theatre and Hartham Leisure Centre capital projects and the comments of Overview and Scrutiny Committee be passed onto the Executive. After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, this motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that Members review the Hertford Theatre and Hartham Leisure Centre Capital Projects.