Agenda and minutes

47.1     The Lead Member approved as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 11 October 2022.

Disclosure by all Members present of personal interests in matters on the agenda, the nature of any interest and whether the Members regard the interest as prejudicial under the terms of the Code of Conduct

48.1     Councillor Johnny Denis declared a personal interest as a Lewes District Councillor, Ringmer Parish Councillor and Board Member of Wave Leisure Trust. He did not consider this to be prejudicial.

Notification of any items which the Lead Member considers urgent and proposes to take at the appropriate part of the agenda.

49.1     There were no urgent items.

50.1     Reports referred to in the minutes below are contained in the minute book.

Report by the Chief Operating Officer

51.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer.

DECISIONS

51.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

1) Note the findings of the public consultation on the future swimming provision at Ringmer Swimming Pool that took place between 23 May – 15 August 2022; 

2) Agree to decommission the pool from 31 December 2022 and permanently cease provision of swimming facilities at Ringmer pool should no financially viable option be available and committed to by that date (including the approval of any legal documentation required); and

3) Delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer to carry out all actions necessary to give effect to the recommendations in the report, including either the decommissioning of the pool or agreeing to implement an alternative viable approach at no detrimental impact to the Council, as detailed in the report.

REASONS

51.3     The public consultation on the future swimming provision at Ringmer Swimming Pool and other evidence considered by the Lead Member has not yet resulted in a sustainable, viable alternative option for the continuation of the operation of the swimming pool.

51.4     If a financially viable agreement is committed to by Lewes District Council before 31 December 2022 and a financially sustainable option is brought forward at no detrimental impact to the Council, and the associated legal documentation is approved, this alternative option will be pursued.

To consider excluding the public and press from the meeting for the remaining agenda item on the grounds that if the public and press were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as specified in paragraphs 1 and 3 of Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), namely information relating to any individual and information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

52.1     It was RESOLVED to exclude the public and press from the meeting for the remaining agenda items on the grounds that if the public and press were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as specified in paragraphs 1 and 3 of Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), namely information relating to any individual and information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Report by the Chief Operating Officer

53.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer which provided exempt information in support of an earlier item on the agenda.

DECISIONS

53.2     The Lead Member RESOVLED to note the detailed financial information contained in the report in support of an earlier agenda item.

REASON

53.3     The report contained exempt information in relation to an earlier item on the agenda.

Report by the Chief Operating Officer

54.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer.

DECISIONS

54.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to approve the recommendations in the report, for the reasons set out in the report. The decision and reasons are set out in an exempt minute.