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 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.