Agenda and minutes

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Councillors Cush, Ekin, McCarthy, McCausland, O’Reilly and Stalford.

Minutes of the meeting of 10^th September

            The minutes of the meeting of 10th September were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 1st October.

            The Director reported that on Wednesday, 14th October, a fire had occurred at the Mary Peters’ Track site resulting in approximately £37,000 damage to two containers located thereat.  He stated that a report in relation to the full extent of the damage would be submitted for the Committee’s consideration subsequent to an assessment of the damage which was being undertaken by the Council’s insurers.

Noted.

            The Committee agreed that a half-day workshop, to which all Members of Council would be invited, be held during a Saturday morning in November in order to discuss the key issues arising from the research which had been conducted in relation to the Council’s review of leisure.

            (Mr. C. Quigley, Director of Legal Services, and Mr. C. Campbell, Principal Solicitor, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Purpose of Report

      To seek the Committee’s recommendation to the Council to make nine Public Path Creation Orders under the Access to the Countryside (NI) Order 1983 in respect of the Connswater Greenway Project.

Relevant Background Information

      The Committee at its meeting on 13th March 2008 agreed to provide £4.2M capital funding to the Connswater Greenway Project, and agreed to the engagement of officers in relation to the scheme.  This included the land assembly necessary for the Greenway being led by the Director of Legal Services with the support of the Estates Team.

      At its meeting on 11th June 2009 the Committee endorsed a proposal to utilise the provisions of the Access to the Countryside legislation to secure elements of the critical path for the scheme.

Key Issues

      The Council’s Estates Officers have been undertaking negotiations with landowners to secure the route for the Connswater Greenway Project.

      It has not been possible to secure the acquisition of some portions of land, due either to the ownership being unknown, or to negotiations having broken down with the landowner.  Negotiations may have broken down due to the landowner’s reluctance to sell to the land, or due to them asking for an excessive price.

      The strategy agreed by the Committee for dealing with areas of land such as these is to use the Access to the Countryside legislation to secure the Greenway critical path along those areas which have proved problematic to acquire.  This legislation is suitable in the context that the purpose of the scheme is to connect inner urban areas with the rural hinterland.

      Following on from the Committee’s endorsement of the strategy, officers have identified nine stretches of land over which it is proposed to make Public Path Creation Orders.  Officers have undertaken the required statutory consultation in respect of these areas of land and no objections have been forthcoming, although there is some apparatus belonging to Statutory Undertakers along some of the routes.  The proposed orders will therefore include a section protecting the Undertakers’ rights to maintain their apparatus.

      The nine maps circulated with the report show the areas over which it is proposed to make the Public Path Creation Orders. 

      Under the Access to the Countryside (NI) Order 1983, the orders require to be made by resolution of full Council.

      The Committee is therefore being asked to recommend to Council that the orders be made. 

      Once the orders are made at Council there are a number of advertisement requirements to be completed with a four week objection period during which members of the public or other interested parties can object to the making of the orders.

      If these objections have substance, then the Department of the Environment has the power to convene a tribunal to adjudicate in relation to them. 

      These orders are essential to the success of the Greenway Scheme as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

            (Mr. C. Quigley, Director of Legal Services, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Purpose of Report

      The purpose of this report is to:

(i)     provide Members with an update on the burials land acquisition project;

(ii)    outline some early indicative results from Tier 3 tests at the Nutts Corner site and the potential implications of these;

(iii)   seek Committee approval to consult with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) regarding the report on the Tier 3 tests at the Nutts Corner site; and

(iv)  seek Committee authority to revisit the planning assumptions for the new cemetery site.

Relevant Background Information

      Members will be aware that there is an ongoing project to select a site for a new cemetery for Belfast and that update reports are brought to Committee on a bi-monthly basis, the last of which was in June 2009.

      The background to the project is:

·         BCC originally commenced a search for new lands for burials in 1999 - 2001 following the appointment of DTZ Pieda Consultants;

·         the DTZ report recommended two large sites, one at Hightown and one at Drumbeg;

·         in September 2005 BCC appointed Ferguson McIlveen (now Scott Wilson) to re-visit the search for suitable sites in order to provide the Council with a robust case for BCC in the probable event of a public inquiry;

·         in March 2006 Scott Wilson produced a Stage 1 report which proposed a new methodology for the revised study;

·         in May 2007 Scott Wilson produced a Stage 2 report which gave a shortlist of 4 sites – Lisleen, Drumbeg B, Nutts Corner and Hightown;

      Current Council Policy Position

      The current Council policy with regard to the acquisition of lands for new cemetery provision was most recently defined by the Parks and Leisure Committee at its meeting on 15 November 2007 when the Committee agreed the following recommendations:

(i)     Lisleen and Nutts Corner sites are selected as the Council’s preferred sites and that Drumbeg and Hightown are no longer in the shortlist (within the context of the Council developing one large cemetery);

(ii)    the Council proceeds to a Tier 3 risk assessment at both Lisleen and Nutts Corner;

(iii)   in the meantime, discussions take place with the Environment and Heritage Service (now the Northern Ireland Environment Agency) to receive feedback on the collated hydro-geological reports and to ascertain Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) views in respect of the feasibility of developing each site; and

(iv)  further discussions with neighbouring councils take place on the issues of mutual concern with regard to the provision of burial space both at present and in the future.

      Since late 2007 the Council has been progressing the project with regard to the two shortlisted sites, Lisleeen and Nutts Corner.

Current Position

      The most recent developments in the project are summarised below:

·         the Council’s consultants developed a detailed specification outlining the extent and cost associated with the Tier 3 tests and Scott Wilson were appointed during the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

            The Committee noted the contents of a report in relation to the progress achieved in connection with two Departmental projects, that is, Cultural Diversity in Sport and Programming Open Spaces, which were being funded by the Peace III Programme through the Council’s Peace and Reconciliation Action Plan.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      The draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan (dBMAP) contains a number of designations which relate to the preservation of MusgravePark as open space.  In its responses to dBMAP the Council raised an objection in relation to the restrictions on that portion of the park with frontage to Stockman’s Way and immediately to the rear of the petrol filling station at 134/136 Stockman’s Lane.  The aim of the objection was to preserve the longer term asset realisation value of the portion of the park between the ‘army road’ and Stockman’s Way.

      Following a decision by the Client Services (Parks and Amenities) Sub-Committee on 10 February 2004, the Council entered into a 21 year Facility Management arrangement (dated 9th March 2006) with St Brigid’s GAC, for land at MusgravePark.  St Brigid’s subsequently completed development of new playing pitches within this area.  As part of the development St Brigid’s also sought, and were granted, planning permission to develop a car park on land which fell outside the area covered by the facility management agreement.  A roughly surfaced car parking area has now been developed by the club on the portion of land between the ‘army road’ and Stockman’s Way i.e. that portion of land upon which the Council aimed to preserve longer term asset realisation potential.  No written authority or consent was sought or provided to St Brigid’s GAC for development of the car park outside the boundary of the facilities management agreement.

      As part of the development of facilities associated with the new playing pitches, St Brigid’s GAC hope in the next few years to provide permanent changing accommodation on the site.  In the interim they are also considering installation of some form of temporary changing accommodation.  Subject to further study (and potential planning approval) council officers have identified a possible location for the proposed permanent changing accommodation and associated car parking which would not conflict with the potential asset realisation as outlined above.  This would involve re-location of the existing unauthorised car parking.  In discussions with St Brigid’s officials it is mutually agreed that the club do not require all of the lands currently contained within the boundary of the 2006 facilities management agreement.  Some rationalisation of the existing facilities management boundary is anticipated following further discussions with the club.

      As a stop gap measure it is proposed that the council provide St Brigid’s with a short term licence agreement to cover the unauthorised car parking area and the possible provision of temporary changing accommodation (at the club’s expense) thereon.  The duration of this agreement would be for a maximum period of two years with detailed terms to be agreed by the Estates Manager.

Key Issues

      The main issues for the Committee to consider are:

-     Portion of MusgravePark between the ‘army road’ and Stockman’s Way identified as having some future asset realisation potential.

-     Most of this area is currently used by St  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Purpose of Report

      The purpose of this report is to consider the Council’s continued support for the partnership arrangement with the Ulster Wildlife Trust in respect of the Watch This Space programme.

Relevant Background Information

      The Committee is reminded that the former Parks and Cemeteries Sub-Committee agreed in January 2007 to fund a pilot project with the Ulster Wildlife Trust for one year.  Through the project the Trust would provide a range of educational activities within Woodvale and FallsParks.  The main purpose of this partnership project, entitled ‘Watch This Space’, was:

·         to encourage greater use of and involvement in local parks by children, and

·         to develop their understanding of parks and the importance and relevance of the natural environment to their lives.

      Specifically the project was intended to deliver crucial parts of the Open Spaces Strategy and Local Biodiversity Action Plan, in particular:

·         to increase the appreciation and knowledge of the heritage value of parks, in particular the biodiversity and priority species identified in the council’s local biodiversity action plan;

·         to provide through partnership working an educational outreach programme in parks;

·         to increase use of parks; and

·         to promote the value of parks as healthy, safe places.

      The pilot project began around May 2007 and ran through to June 2008.

      At its meeting in May 2008 the Committee reviewed progress and agreed to its continuation for a further two years, and to extend it to include additional parks in North and West Belfast and to include the East of the city.  This work, which complements the on?going work of the Parks’ Outreach officers, has been continuing since May 2008.

      The Committee received a further report in June 2009 updating Members on progress in 2008/09 which highlighted that set targets had been achieved and indeed exceeded.  The Committee also agreed targets for the current year 2009/10.

Current context

      The main achievements of the Watch This Space project can be summarized as follows:

1.   An environmental education outreach programme in 11 different parks in the North, West and East of the city.  In partnership with the Ulster Wildlife Trust we have worked with over 600 local schoolchildren each year from 18 different primary schools and 3 secondary schools – engaging each child in the project on five occasions through park visits and pre/post visit classroom activities;

2.   A programme of monthly Saturday clubs in Falls, Woodvale and Victoria Parks, delivering environmental activities for 5-11 year olds and parents.

3.   We have established contact with local youth groups, organisations and summer schemes to initiate a programme of appropriate park-based activities.

4.   Delivery of a programme of environmental activities for 5?12 year olds at each of 15 summer fun days organised by Belfast Parks section.

5.   Production of a comprehensive set of teacher/pupil worksheets and information sheets to be available on the council’s web site for teachers and schools using parks for outdoor learning activities – all linked to the new curriculum  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Purpose of Report

      The purpose of the report is to update the committee on the DSD timetable for the economic appraisal of the proposals for the refurbishment of Woodvale and Dunville parks.

Relevant Background Information

      At its meeting in September 2008 the Parks and Leisure Committee agreed as part of the parks improvement agenda to undertake design work for the redevelopment of two parks in the city.

      It was subsequently agreed that Woodvale and Dunville parks be selected for this process because of existing funding commitments by Belfast Regeneration Office (BRO) to them as part of the neighbourhood renewal action plan and that:

·         officers work up scheme designs; project plans and detailed costings in relation to each of the parks;

·         officers continue to liaise and work with BRO and undertake, in conjunction with BRO, an economic appraisal on each of the parks;

·         the two parks be put forward to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee for consideration for inclusion in the council’s capital programme.

Current context

      Council officers have worked with representatives from both communities to prepare concept drawings in respect of each of the parks.  There is broad agreement on the design at DunvillePark and the economic appraisal has commenced and should be completed by the third week in December. 

      Agreement on the design drawing for Woodvale is expected within the next 3 weeks, consultants have been appointed to undertake the economic appraisal and completion of this is expected also around the middle of December.

      Discussions have continued with BRO who are still keen to support the refurbishment of both parks, subject to the findings of the economic appraisals.  However, the committee will be aware that owing to the review of public administration BRO has a time constraint and must incur all expenditure by the end of March 2011.

      The proposals for both parks have been submitted for inclusion in the Council’s capital programme but are currently uncommitted.  On completion of the economic appraisal and a firmer commitment from BRO regarding both schemes the Council will have to consider these proposals relative to other priorities and determine whether they should be elevated to committed status within the capital programme, subject to affordability limits. 

Key Issues

      The Committee is asked to note the following key points:

·         It has been previously agreed that as part of the parks improvement programme there be advanced design work on two major parks in the city.

·         It was agreed that the redesign of parks should include continuous involvement of the local community.

·         Work has been ongoing in conjunction with local community groups, political representatives and BRO in respect of the refurbishment of both DunvillePark and WoodvalePark;

·         Both parks are included within the neighbourhood renewal action plans for Falls/Clonard and Greater Shankill.

·         Economic appraisals are currently underway for both parks to be completed by mid December, the results of which will determine which proposals are feasible.

·         Both parks have been proposed for inclusion in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 9th October, 2008 it had agreed to allocate a budget of £60,000 in respect of the Parks Events Grant Scheme, which had been distributed to 28 local community-based groups in order to encourage more events within the Council’s Parks.

            The Director pointed out that the Scheme, which had been welcomed by local community groups, was now entering its fifth year and the maximum grants available to individual Groups had been reduced gradually from £5,000 in 2005 to £2,250 in 2009.  This had permitted 28 groups to be funded, resulting in over 30 events being held at the Council’s Parks across the City.  He stated that, although not all event report forms had been submitted yet, the feedback received had indicated that the number of participants had been similar to those in previous years and that the Scheme provided valuable support to local communities and encouraged greater ownership and use of the Council’s Parks.  He recommended that provision be made in the 2010/2011 Revenue Estimates for the continuation of the Parks Events Grant Scheme and requested that the Committee consider the four main funding options outlined hereunder:

Option 1:      Discontinue the Scheme

                     This option would result in a cost reduction of £60,000, plus administration and advertising costs;

Option 2:      Increase the budget allocation

                     Given that the maximum grant payable has been set at £2,250 and the majority of groups seek that amount, it would be necessary to increase the allocation by a minimum amount of £10,000 in order to make an impact;

Option 3:      Decrease the budget allocation

                     Given that the amount of the maximum grant payable has been reduced from £5,000 to £2,250 to enable more groups to be supported, this option would result in a reduction of the amount payable and have a negative impact on the quality of events; and

Option 4:      Maintain the Scheme at 2009 levels

                     By retaining the Scheme at 2009 levels, it would be possible to provide tangible support to a wide-range of local community groups to provide quality events at the Council’s parks and open spaces and enhance community ownership.

            The Director stated that it was proposed that the same criteria, which had been agreed by the former Parks and Cemeteries Sub-Committee at its meeting on 11th October, 2007, would be utilised to assess the applications.  The Scheme would be advertised in the November issue of City Matters, with supplementary advertising in local community papers and information and application forms being made available on the Council’s website.  Accordingly, he recommended that the Committee approve the continuation of the Parks Events Grant Scheme and approve also Option 4 as the preferred approach.

            The Committee adopted the recommendation and agreed that a simplified application form be devised in relation to the Scheme.

            The Committee agreed to note the contents of a report in relation to the progress achieved in respect of the options being developed for the replacement at the Belfast Zoo of the Mountain Tea House, which had been destroyed by fire, and noted also that a report in connection with the incidents of vandalism occurring at the Council’s facilities would be submitted for its consideration at its meeting scheduled to be held on 12th November.

            The Director sought and was granted authority to instigate tendering exercises for the appointment of a contractor in relation to the following items:

(i)     to supply and deliver for a period of one year, with the option to renew annually until 2012, two verti?drainers, the estimated cost of which was approximately £40,000 per annum;

(ii)    for the supply and delivery of high quality bedding plants for a period of one year, with an option to renew annually up until 2012, the estimated cost of which was approximately £79,000 per annum;

(iii)   to provide works to control invasive weed species, for a period of one year, with an option to renew annually until 2012, the cost of which would be approximately £33,000 per annum;

(iv)   to supply and deliver grounds maintenance plant and equipment, for a period of one year, with an option to renew annually until 2012, the estimated cost of which was approximately £180,000 per annum;

(v)   the provision of maintenance and small civil engineering works at the Council’s Parks and Cemeteries properties throughout the City for a period of one year, with an option to renew annually up to a further three years, the cost of which would be approximately £360,000 per annum; and

(vi)  the provision of repair and maintenance services to fitness equipment at the Council’s Leisure Centres for a period of twenty?seven months, commencing January, 2010 till March, 2012, with the option to renew annually for a further two years until 2014.  The cost of the Service would be approximately £100,000 per annum.

            In addition, the Committee noted that the tenders would be evaluated against criteria based on both cost and quality and, in accordance with the authority delegated to him, the Director would be accepting the most economically advantageous tender submitted.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      The Committee is reminded that it received a deputation from the Northern Ireland Cricket Union on 13th March 2008 relating to the provision of cricket facilities throughout Belfast.  Based on that meeting committee received a report on 14 May 2009 requesting approval to supply and install a synthetic cricket wicket at City of Belfast playing fields.  This was agreed on the basis that Cliftonville Cricket Club would receive a grant of £3,000 from the Lord’s Taverners charity and the council would provide £4,500 towards the supply and installation received.

      However the Council has been informed by Cliftonville Cricket Club that their application for funding of £3,000 has been unsuccessful.  This is because the location of the artificial wicket will be on BelfastCity Council land.

      In the interim, officers have been in contact with a major supplier of artificial cricket wickets.  The supplier has inspected the site location and confirmed the lower base of the existing sub base is in good condition and does not need replacement as originally thought necessary.  This has reduced the estimate to supply and install from an original estimate of £7,500 to an estimate of £6,000. This still leaves a shortfall of £1,500 from the original BelfastCity Council committee approval to finance £4,500.  It was highlighted that there was not sufficient finances in the budget for the site and that the shortfall would need to found from within other elements of the Parks and Cemeteries overall budget.

Key Issues

      The Committee will be mindful that:

·         It has previously received a presentation on the issue of the under provision of facilities for cricket; and

·         It will be receiving a report on the issue of playing field provision across a range of sports in due course.

·         It had agreed on 14 May 2009 to fund £4,500 towards the cost of an artificial cricket wicket.

      There is an opportunity to increase provision for cricket clubs at a relatively modest cost.  In addition to the request by Cliftonville, the proposal has received support from:

·         The Northern Cricket Union;

·         Academy Cricket Club;

·         Belfast International Cricket Club; and

·         Cricket Ireland

      All have expressed willingness and a desire to use such a facility. 

Resource Implications

      Financial Implications

      The cost of the works would incur a total expenditure in the region of £6,000 which has not been provided for in the revenue estimates for 2009/10.  There is a property maintenance budget which could be used, however, this would further reduce the budget and would have an impact on other projects during the course of the year.  The Parks and Leisure Committee has already approved expenditure of £4,500 for this purpose at its meeting on 14 May 2009.

      There would be minimal revenue implications in terms of maintenance.

      The life of the pitch would be in the region of 8 -10 years and would require replacement at the end of its useful life.  This would be at an estimated cost of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      The Committee will be aware that since June 2005 a project has been underway to capture in digital form the records of the Cemeteries Office dating back to 1869.  This has been a corporately funded project under the direction of the Director of Corporate Services involving employees from the Cemeteries Office; ISB; and the Records Management Unit, Chief Executive’s Department.

      As Members will be aware the Director of Corporate Services is shortly leaving the Council and, before the project is handed over to Parks and Leisure it was thought that it would be helpful for the Committee to receive an update on the considerable progress achieved and a re-assurance that the project is scheduled to be completed on time and to budget.

Key Issues

      Project information

      This project was initiated, with considerable support from a number of key Members, to address the problems arising from the quickly deteriorating physical condition of the older burial and cremation records held by the Council.  Kept for many years in a basement of the City Hall for reasons of security and to be easily accessible for the daily checks required for this important public service, the binding and pages of the books were reaching a point where some of the older ones were at significant risk of loss if they continued to be handled.  Several successive soakings over the years as the basement was subject to flooding had not helped.  As a first step the records were moved out of the basement to a newly created temporary storage area on the second floor while a team involving the relevant services was established to address the issue.

      At that stage some corporate funding was available to supplement the departmental resource and it was decided to undertake three strands of work

1.   to create a high-quality digital record all of the data contained in the records of grants of burial, burial and cremation orders.  This would permit the Cemeteries Office’s employees to access the records in future without handling them and therefore protect the physical condition of the books as well as improving the efficiency of accessing the information;

2.   concurrently to develop in-house a new record-keeping database compatible with the format of the information being digitised – this would enable the complete record stretching over 140 years to be in a single accessible source; and

3.   as these continue to be administrative records of the Council which cannot be transferred to the Public Record Office for Northern Ireland, to create a greatly improved storage facility within the City Hall basements given the opportunity to do this was available in the context of the refurbishment of the building.  This would give the Council, now and in the future, a confidence that these records are being cared for properly and effectively.

      Current project successes

      I am pleased to advise the Committee that all three strands have been successfully progressed and the overall aims for these important Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

            The Director of Parks and Leisure reminded the Committee that, on 4th September, 2006, an accident had occurred at the former Dargan Road Landfill Site, which had resulted in the death of Mr. Ashley Cunningham.  He reported that Mr. Cunningham’s family had expressed a desire to have a memorial to him placed at the Botanic Gardens, which he would have visited, and had suggested that it take the form of a park bench and commemorative plaque.  He informed the Members that the Health and Environmental Services Committee, at its meeting on 7th October, had agreed that the Parks and Leisure Committee be recommended to place in the Botanic Gardens a park bench and commemorative plaque as a memorial to Mr. Cunningham.

            The Committee adopted the recommendation.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 10th September, it had agreed that, in order to ensure a consistent approach and to ensure also that the Council complied with its legal obligations, a review be undertaken corporately in relation to the condition of hire for Council premises.

            The Director reported that the Chief Officers’ Management Team had considered the matter and had agreed that the Director of Legal Services should undertake a review of the conditions of hire for Council premises and prepare a report for the consideration of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.  Accordingly, that Committee would be considering the matter in due course.

Noted.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      At a special meeting on 12th February 2009, the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee agreed revenue estimates for 2009/10 including £500,000 for the establishment of a corporate thematic budget to finance those elements of crosscutting work, which could not be delivered solely within functional budgets. Accordingly, as part of the Council’s Sustainable Development Action Plan 2009-2011, an application was submitted to the corporate thematic budget to support the delivery of a waste characterisation study for a range of council premises in the order of £35,000.

      Delays in assigning the corporate budget have meant however, that the waste characterisation study cannot be completed fully within the 2009/2010 financial accounting period, resulting in an estimated £18,000 underspend. Chief Officers considered this underspend at their meeting of 23rd September 2009 and recommended that it be used to support other crosscutting work contributing towards the corporate strategic theme of better care for Belfast’s environment – a clean, green city now and for the future and as outlined within the Sustainable Development Action Plan.

      Accordingly, as part of the Council’s energy conservation and carbon emission reduction activities, Chief Officers recommended that the £18,000 corporate strategy budget underspend be used to replace the pool cover and associated mechanism at Andersonstown Leisure Centre subject to Committee approval. The cost of a replacement pool cover and associated mechanism is estimated at £15,000.

Key Issues

      The existing pool cover at Andersonstown Leisure Centre is 9 years old. Due to a collapse of the boom however, a complete new cover and housing is now required.

      The Department of Finance and Personnel Public Sector Energy Campaign (PSEC) has identified that swimming pools are large energy consumers and, with rising energy costs, ensuring that the pool water evaporation rate is as low as possible is imperative.  High pool water evaporation rates occur in the absence of a pool cover, necessitating a high ventilation rate in the pool hall in order control humidity levels. High evaporation rates also increase the pool water-heating load leading to increased energy consumption and elevated energy bills.

      The single most effective means of reducing evaporation from a pool is therefore via the installation and operation of an effective pool cover. Indeed, given that most swimming pools are unused overnight, but many maintain heating and ventilation regimes suitable for daytime occupancy, it is estimated that a well-fitting pool cover can reduce night-time energy usage by as much as 90%, giving overall energy savings of around 25%.

      Research conducted in 1994 by The Sports Council, The Institute of Sport & Recreation Management (ISRM) and the Institute of Leisure Amenity Management (ILAM) has shown a swimming pool similar to Andersonstown, in Cardiff City Council installed a pool cover and the payback period on their investment was estimated at 1.6 years. Pool covers generally pay for themselves in energy savings alone in less than three years.

Resource Implications

      Financial

      Facilities Management have given estimated costs of £15,000 to replace the pool cover  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

            The Committee noted a Schedule of Support for Sport applications in relation to Small Scale Development Grants which had been approved by the Director of Parks and Leisure in accordance with the authority delegated to him.  A copy of the Schedule was available on Modern.gov.