On 10 December 2014 the Executive Director of City Regeneration and Housing submitted a report to the City Executive Board which detailed the commercial bids received to purchase the Temple Cowley Pools site.

The report identified the commercial bid which best meets the Council’s policy objectives and offers the best value for money; and reported on the proposal received from the Save Temple Cowley Pool Community Interest Group (CIC).Key aspects of this bid were compared with the best commercial bid so that members could make an informed decision on whether to dispose of the site or work with the CIC to develop their proposal.

The City Executive Board resolved:

1.       To note and accept the recommendation of the Regeneration and Major Projects Service Manager that in regard to the “commercial” bids received for the Temple Cowley pool site (“the Site”) for use of the site for housing purposes, the preferred bidder would be Catalyst Housing.

2.       To note the terms of the “community” proposal received from the Save the Temple Cowley Pools CIC (“the CIC”), taking full note of its proposed retention of a pool/leisure facility at the Site.

3.       To accept the “commercial” bid from Catalyst Housing set out in Recommendation 1.

4.       To delegate authority to the Executive Director of City Regeneration and Housing to enter into an appropriate contract with Catalyst Housing for the disposal of the Site in accordance with the terms of its bid, or any reasonable variation thereof approved by the Executive Director of City Regeneration and Housing.

Cllr Simmons, Chair of the Scrutiny Committee, called-in the report for the Scrutiny Committee to consider a number of aspects in more detail.

Should the Scrutiny Committee decide to ask for reconsideration of the decision, Cllr Simmons (or a representative of the Scrutiny Committee) will present the views of the Scrutiny Committee’s to the City Executive Board. The Board will then decide whether to confirm the resolutions they made on 10 December or to make new ones.

Following the City Executive Board’s meeting on 10 December 2014, Cllr Simmons, Chair of the Scrutiny Committee, called-in the report for the Scrutiny Committee to consider a number of aspects in more detail. The Scrutiny Committee had met to discuss the report earlier today.

Cllr Price, Board Member for Corporate Strategy, Economic Development and Planning explained that the Scrutiny Committee had resolved to agree with the Board’s decision made on 10 December. Details of the Scrutiny Committee’s meeting were tabled and are attached.

The City Executive Board resolved:

1.    To note and accept the recommendation of the Regeneration and Major Projects Service Manager that in regard to the “commercial” bids received for the Temple Cowley pool site (“the Site”) for use of the site for housing purposes, the preferred bidder would be Catalyst Housing.

2.    To note the terms of the “community” proposal received from the Save the Temple Cowley Pools CIC (“the CIC”), taking full note of its proposed retention of a pool/leisure facility at the Site.

3.    To accept the “commercial” bid from Catalyst Housing set out in Recommendation 1.

4.    To delegate authority to the Executive Director of City Regeneration and Housing to enter into an appropriate contract with Catalyst Housing for the disposal of the Site in accordance with the terms of its bid, or any reasonable variation thereof approved by the Executive Director of City Regeneration and Housing.

The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director of City Regeneration and Housing submitted to the Executive Board on 10 December 2014 (previously circulated, now appended) which detailed the commercial bids received to purchase the Temple Cowley Pools site.

The report identified the commercial bid which best met the Council’s policy objectives and offered the best value for money; and reported on the proposal received from the Save Temple Cowley Pool Community Interest Group (CIC). It compared the key aspects of that proposal with the best commercial bid so that members could make an informed decision on whether to dispose of the site or work with the CIC to develop their proposal.

The Chair explained his reasons for calling in the application for further consideration by the Scrutiny Committee, and the process. He explained that notwithstanding the views he had previously expressed he had not prejudged the matter before the committee and was able to chair the meeting.

The Regeneration and Major Projects Manager presented the report and summarised the key aspects of the commercial bid.

The council’s lawyer advised that in law Council must obtain best consideration on disposal of their assets, and although there were circumstances where the council could dispose of assets at less than market value, a disposal at a reduction of more than £2million required the Secretary of State’s permission.

Nigel Gibson, Director of the Save Temple Cowley Pool Community Interest Group, presented the CIC proposal and outlined the social value to the community, the benefits of this social enterprise, and the risks of the commercial bid.

Judith Harley spoke in support of the CIC bid.

Mark Mann spoke in support of the CIC bid.

Members of the committee asked questions about the commercial bid; the CIC bid; the risks and merits of both; and the provision of accessible leisure and swimming facilities for the residents of Cowley. Officers, the Leader of the Council, and Nigel Gibson provided answers and additional details. Mr Gibson reiterated the benefits of the CIC bid for the users of Temple Cowley Pools, the residents of the local area, and if the enterprise was successful for the council. The Leader of the Council explained the Executive Board’s reasoning including their view that the commercial bid was best for the city as a whole while recognising the strength of local feeling.

After debate, the Chair proposed a vote on ‘the Committee wishes to refer the decision back to the City Executive Board to reconsider’.

The Chair reiterated the decision of the City Executive Board on 10 December for the committee:

‘The City Executive Board resolved:

1.    To note and accept the recommendation of the Regeneration and Major Projects Service Manager that in regard to the “commercial” bids received for the Temple Cowley pool site (“the Site”) for use of the site for housing purposes, the preferred bidder would be Catalyst Housing. 

2.    To note the terms of the “community” proposal received from the Save the Temple Cowley Pools CIC  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65

The Executive Director of City Regeneration and Housing has submitted a report which details the commercial bids received to purchase the Temple Cowley Pools site.  

To identify the commercial bid which best meets the Council’s policy objectives and offers the best value for money.

To report on the proposal received from the Save Temple Cowley Pool Community Interest Group (CIC), and to compare and contrast the key aspects of that proposal with the best commercial bid so that members can make an informed decision whether to dispose of the site or work with the CIC to develop their proposal.          

Officer Recommendations: That the City Executive Board considers and determines the following matters sequentially:

1.    To note and accept the recommendation of the Regeneration and Major Projects Service Manager that in regard to the “commercial” bids received for the Temple Cowley pool site (“the Site”) for use of the site for housing purposes, the preferred bidder would be Catalyst Housing.       

2.    That full consideration be given to the terms of the “community” proposal received from the Save the Temple Cowley Pools CIC (“the CIC”), taking full note of its proposed retention of a pool/leisure facility at the Site.

3.    To decide whether it prefers to accept the “community” proposal set out in Recommendation 2 over the “commercial” bid set out in Recommendation 1.

4.    In the event that the CEB prefers the “commercial” bid to delegate authority to the Executive Director of City Regeneration and Housing to enter into an appropriate contract with Catalyst Housing for the disposal of the Site in accordance with the terms of its bid, or any reasonable variation thereof approved by the Executive Director of City Regeneration and Housing; but if the CEB prefers the “community” proposal to instruct officers to pursue negotiations with the CIC, to seek to work up an effective proposed disposal of the site to the CIC, on the basis that if such negotiations continue for more than 9 months without having achieved an agreed disposal (subject to issues of consent to disposal) the Council may seek an alternative form of disposal.

The Executive Director of City Regeneration and Housing submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended) which detailed the commercial bids received to purchase the Temple Cowley Pools site.  

The report identified the commercial bid which best meets the Council’s policy objectives and offers the best value for money; and reported on the proposal received from the Save Temple Cowley Pool Community Interest Group (CIC). It compared the key aspects of that proposal with the best commercial bid so that members can make an informed decision on whether to dispose of the site or work with the CIC to develop their proposal.     

The Regeneration and Major Projects Manager presented the report     

Nigel Gibson, Director of the Save Temple Cowley Pool Community Interest Group presented the CIC’s proposal.

Cllr Wolff, Thomas and Simmons each spoke for 3 minutes.

Cllr Turner, Board member for Finance, Asset Management and Public Health spoke about the financial elements of the report

Cllr Rowley, Board member for Leisure Contract and Community Partnership Grants spoke on the Council’s long term leisure vision.

The Board scrutinised the proposal received from the Save Temple Cowley Pool Community Interest Group (CIC) but decided to go with the commercial bid offered by Catalyst housing.

The City Executive Board resolved: 

1.       To note and accept the recommendation of the Regeneration and Major Projects Service Manager that in regard to the “commercial” bids received for the Temple Cowley pool site (“the Site”) for use of the site for housing purposes, the preferred bidder would be Catalyst Housing.  

2.       To note the terms of the “community” proposal received from the Save the Temple Cowley Pools CIC (“the CIC”), taking full note of its proposed retention of a pool/leisure facility at the Site.

3.       To accept the “commercial” bid from Catalyst Housing set out in Recommendation 1.

4.       To delegate authority to the Executive Director of City Regeneration and Housing to enter into an appropriate contract with Catalyst Housing for the disposal of the Site in accordance with the terms of its bid, or any reasonable variation thereof approved by the Executive Director of City Regeneration and Housing.