Agenda Item No. 12

AGENDA ITEM NO. 12

REPORT TO: Executive Board

REPORT NO: COLLC/10/08

DATE: 1 July 2008

LEAD MEMBER: Councillor Bob Dutton, OBE (Communities & Performance)

LEAD OFFICER: Chief Leisure, Libraries & Culture Officer

CONTACT OFFICER: Alan Watkin (Tel: 297430)

SUBJECT: Wrexham Tennis Centre

WARD: Grosvenor

1. PURPOSE OF THE REPORT

To agree the outcome of a key element of lease negotiations with the Tennis Centre.

2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

2.1 Executive Board received two reports (COLLC/09/06 and COLLC/02/07) in 2006 and 2007, outlining the Tennis Centre’s planned expansion to provide additional facilities, and proposals to agree a new lease of the centre to facilitate the expansion. Members agreed that the Centre was an important and successful element in the sports and physical activity provision in the County Borough and that the planned expansion was vital to the continuing viability of the Centre.

2.2 The Board agreed that “new lease arrangements on terms and conditions be agreed by CTAMO in consultation with CLLCO”. The full capital costs of the project are to be met by the Tennis Centre Company.

2.3 During the negotiation on the lease, it emerged that the original intention in 2006, that the Company would be responsible for all further maintenance obligations on what was at that time envisaged as being four new courts, would be onerous and seriously impractical. The latter refers to the fact that the Authority is responsible for maintenance of the existing indoor and outdoor courts.

2.4 The original proposal in 2006 was for a far larger expansion and in 2007 this was revised to a two court development. Negotiations on responsibilities for repair and maintenance of the centre will in the short terms result in no additional expenditure and only a marginal increase in the medium term. 2.5 The legal process of issuing a new lease will nullify the existing management agreements between the Authority and the Tennis Centre Company. A new agreement will therefore be concluded.

3. RECOMMENDATION

That members authorise the completion of the Lease to the North Wales Regional Tennis Centre Limited on the amended terms outlined in the report, together with associated management arrangements.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION

To regularise the leasing and management arrangements relating to the North Wales Tennis Centre.

Alan Watkin Chief Leisure, Libraries & Culture Officer

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

4.1 The council owned Tennis Centre was opened in 1990, following extensive negotiations between the then Borough Council and Garden Village Lawn Tennis Club and comprised two outdoor and three indoor courts with ancillary facilities. (At the same time, four outdoor courts were created for the Tennis Club which operates as a members club separate from the Tennis Centre Company).

4.2 The Centre has since been expanded in response to demand and its success as follows:-

 1994 - a fourth indoor court was built  1996 - a fitness centre was built  1999 - four additional outside and two indoor courts were created

Although the former Authority contributed to the funding of the facilities, both the expansion in 1996 and 1999 were self-financed by the Company through their own resources, LTA funds and lottery bids.

4.3 The Centre remains one of the principal leisure facilities in the County Borough and is acknowledged as the number one tennis centre in N. Wales and arguably in all of Wales. It provides a substantial coaching and playing programme covering all ages from primary school to older adults, for all abilities from social players and beginners to hosting specialist elite squads and provides both membership and ‘play and pay’ facilities. It also hosts major tournaments in the U.K. championship calendar attracting players in the world top 200. Recent survey work undertaken at the behest of the Authority has shown that the great majority of users are from the County Borough area.

4.4 Under the proposed new lease arrangements to the Tennis Centre Company, the Council will be responsible for the repair, maintenance and decoration of the Tennis Centre, including the new indoor and outdoor courts. However, the Company will be responsible for the repair and maintenance of the Fitness Suite and interior decoration of the remainder of the Building, except the tennis hall. 4.5 The Tennis Centre is currently regulated by way of management agreement, service level agreement and existing leases of parts of the centre to the company. The existing leases will be surrendered when the new lease of the whole of the centre is granted. However as the existing management agreement will cease to have effect when the existing leases are surrendered, it will be necessary to enter into a new management agreement to ensure that any management issues not covered by the new lease continue to have effect.

4.6 The existing lease of adjoining facilities to Garden Village Lawn Tennis Club will continue.

4.7 The statutory advertisement required for the inclusion of the lease of land currently forming part of the open space has been issued, and one objection has been received from Rhosddu Community Council on the basis of existing under provision of open space within the ward. The Council is obliged to consider any objections to the proposed disposal and the Board will be updated verbally if the matter is not resolved by the date of the meeting.

5. CONSULTATION

5.1 The local member supports the proposal.

6. SCRUTINY COMMITTEE COMMENTS

7 IMPLICATIONS

7.1 Policy Framework - The Tennis Centre contributes to the objectives of the Health and Well Being Strategy, the Sports Strategy and the Economic Development policies of the Authority. The proposals in this report will enhance the ability of the Tennis Centre to contribute to these strategies whilst assisting the financial viability of the facility.

7.2 Budget - there are no immediate consequences, there will be in approximately 5-7 years time a slight increase in the overall maintenance costs as and when court surfaces need replacing.

7.3 Legal - Any legal issues are identified in the body of the report.

7.4 Staffing - N/A

7.5 Diversity (Equalities) - there are no implications of this proposal.

BACKGROUND PAPERS LOCATION WEBSITE INFO.

1. Report Number COLLC/09//06 to www.wrexham.gov.uk Executive Board on 6 June 2006 and report number COLLC/02/07 to Executive Board on 16 January 2007.