Agenda item

DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS

Councillor Collie declared an interest in the following item of business as a Director of Aberdeen Sports Village and left the meeting. Councillor Fletcher declared an interest as a Director of Aberdeen Sports Village and also as Chairperson of the 50M Pool Working Group, and stated that he intended to remain in the meeting but would not vote in the event of a division.

Councillor John Stewart declared an interest by virtue of his appointment as a representative of the Council on the University of Aberdeen University Court but did not consider it necessary to leave the meeting.

With reference to Article 19 of the minute of its meeting of 16^th December 2009, the Council had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which provided an analysis of the estimated cost for both the eight lane and ten lane options for the main pool tank, and details of the outcome of the EU Pre-Qualification Evaluation which had been undertaken to select the principal contractors invited to tender for the construction of the complex.

The report highlighted the key elements of the project and highlighted that the revised ‘Scheme Design’ report had been approved by the Project Team in July 2010. Work was at an advanced stage in respect of the detailed design and production drawing information. Tender documents had been issued on 3^rd December with a return date of February 2011. The design was continuing to proceed on a twin track basis, with both the eight lane and ten lane options being tendered. It was anticipated that the tender results would be reported to Council in April 2011.

The report summarised the financial implications, setting out the current estimated development costs for both the eight lane and ten lane options as at November 2010. No allowance had been included for VAT, however it was anticipated that VAT incurred on the construction costs and professional fees could be recovered and retained.

The report went on to detail the five contractors that had been selected to tender for the project following a detailed evaluation exercise having been carried out in accordance with EU procurement procedures.

Lastly, the report discussed ground investigations - the ground investigation survey of the site, which had been completed in January 2010, had highlighted an area of contamination which required further investigation. It was proposed that Raeburn Drilling, which had carried out the Stage 1 survey work, carry out the Stage 2 survey work at an estimated cost of £50,000. The report emphasised that the second ground investigation survey was required to issue to the five tenderers in order to comply with a condition of the planning permission for the site.

The report recommended:-

that the Council -

(a)              note the content of the report; and

(b)              agree that Raeburn Drilling be appointed to carry out the Stage 2 ground investigation survey at an estimated cost of £50,000.

The Council resolved:-

(i)                 to approve the recommendations; and

(ii)               to instruct officers to report back on the financial position in regard to the Stage 2 grant application and the VAT implications for the overall project.