Decisions Made

The purpose of the report is to notify of the contracting for a new investment in the former Mill Pond Adventure Playground in Bewbush.

The playground site no longer operates following closure in 2021 and the decision is taken so that important works can proceed, bringing the site back into service as an unsupervised play area with a new range of play facilities meeting modern standards for play and recreation.

Following a tender process, an appropriate play area design proposal was awarded to one supplier for the new scheme.

To enter into contract with the chosen supplier for the new play area scheme at Mill Pond Bewbush. The contract included the play scheme element along with ancillary works being completed in other areas of the playground.

This decision has been taken by the Head of Community Services in consultation with the Head of Corporate Finance and Cabinet Member for Wellbeing.

to approve the Housing Revenue Account Property Portfolio rents for 2023/24 to implement a 7% increase for social and affordable dwelling rents and to increase rents for shared ownership and hostels by 7% as set out in report CH/200

In November 2021 (Report HPS 29), Cabinet approved the funding for a study to examine the technical feasibility and economic business case for the Phase 2 expansion of the Town Centre DHN to incorporate properties and developments adjacent to the existing DHN. The study would also examine the potential to amend the fuel source from gas to a more sustainable heat source in line with the Council’s carbon reductions commitments.

The study was to be carried out in two phases, phase 1 feasibility and phase two full business case. Consultants to conduct the studies were subsequently procured and the first phase of the study (feasibility) has now been completed.

Cabinet delegated authority to the Head of Major Projects and Commercial Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability to review findings of the feasibility study once and decide whether to proceed with the second phase.

The feasibility study outlined an economically viable option for the expansion of the DHN, so it is recommended to proceed to the second phase of the study - the full DPD (detailed project development) and business case assessment for the expansion and decarbonisation of the Town Centre DHN.

HNDU funding of £129,950 has now been secured for this work, which the council will match fund with £55,000 from the Town Centre Capital budget (already allocated).

The DPD study could commence as early as January 2023 and will take around 9 months.

Approve proceeding with the second phase of the District Heat Network (DHN) Phase 2 expansion and decarbonisation study to produce a full business case for the project and earmark a further £55,000 match funding from the Town Centre capital budget for this purpose.

The decision has been taken following review of the outcomes of the first phase feasibility study in full consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability who gave his approval at his Portfolio Briefing on 5 January 2023.