Agenda item

Addendum to the original report

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Councillor Leslie declared an interest in the following item of business by virtue of his position as Chairperson of Aberdeen Shopmobility and left the meeting prior to its consideration.

With reference to Article 31 of the minute of meeting of the Finance and Resources Committee of 2^nd December 2010, the Council had before it, by way of remit, (1) a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which described the present sub-lease of the Bon Accord Indoor Bowling Centre by the Bon Accord 2000 Indoor Bowling Club, and advised that the Bowling Club had requested that the Council grant them a new lease, on revised terms and conditions, as outlined within the report; (2) the decision of the Finance and Resources Committee (a) to refer the report to the Council for consideration; and (b) to instruct officers to provide further information and clarity on the points raised during discussion by the Committee, particularly on the cost of each option for the Council; and (3) the further information that had been requested by the Finance and Resources Committee.

The report recommended:-

that the Finance and Resources Committee -

(a)              refuse the Club’s request to be granted a new five year sub-lease from 1^st May 2011;

(b)              recover possession of the property on 30^th April 2011 and take appropriate action to recover any monies due to the Council, in terms of the present sub-lease provisions;

(c)               authorise the Head of Asset Management and Operations to investigate appropriate alternative uses for the property and report to an appropriate meeting of the Committee before the summer recess in 2011; and

(d)              authorise the Head of Communities, Culture and Sport to offer the assistance of her staff to facilitate dialogue between the Bon Accord Indoor Bowling Club and the Aberdeen Indoor Bowling Centre at Summerhill on a more sustainable future for indoor bowling in Aberdeen.

In terms of Standing Order 10(2), the Council received a deputation from Mr Cameron Millar of Bon Accord Indoor Bowling Club. Mr Millar referred to the additional paper that had been prepared following the Finance and Resources Committee meeting, which stated that the Club’s request to move to a 60/40 cost share would detrimentally impact on Council budgets, and emphasised that not renewing the lease would have an even greater impact on the Council’s budget.

Mr Millar went on to discuss (a) the replacement of the mat at the Club and the issues contained therein; (b) gas, electricity and service charges - underlining that the Club had a good track record of settling invoices on time; (c) the Club’s Business Plan and its aim of increasing membership; (d) bar income and projections; and (e) the likely effect on the Council’s 5 Year Business Plan if the building was to be mothballed.

Mr Millar concluded that the Club’s financial projections for the next five years were conservative in nature and very achievable - based on a 60/40 cost share, the Club would expect to repay the outstanding insurance premiums, replace the mat and have in excess of £50,000 cash in hand. Mr Millar added that should the decision be taken not to renew the lease, this would drive another nail in the coffin of one of Scotland’s oldest sports.

Members asked questions of Mr Millar and thanked him for his contribution.

The Council resolved:-

(i)                 to grant a new one year sub-lease from 1^st May 2011 on existing terms and conditions; and

(ii)               to authorise the Head of Asset Management and Operations to investigate appropriate alternative uses for the property and report back to the Finance and Resources Committee at the earliest opportunity.