Cabinet considered the report regarding the potential use of the Sports Able building.

The Leader of the Council and Chairman of Cabinet, Business, Economic Development and Property informed Cabinet that unfortunately, the Trustees announced the closure of the Sports Able Charity early in 2021.  Under the terms of the lease dating back to 1983 the Trustees were able to surrender the lease of the clubhouse premises back to the Council with the Council having pay £100,000 towards the initial construction of the building. The building was vacated at the end of May 2021.

Several options for the future use of the building including disposing of the building to Maidenhead Heritage Centre in return for the acquisition of the current Heritage Centre on Park Street.  This would maintain the building for community use and allow the heritage centre to expand its offer.  They have a lot of exhibitions in storage that they currently can not show, such as one of the first fire engines.  The current centre would fall into the York Road development site.  Consideration had also been undertaken from a number of other community groups and if they are not successful we would try and work with them for other solutions, although no guarantees can be given.

The Cabinet Member for Planning, Environmental Services and Maidenhead gave a history of the fire engine and how it was one of the first horse drawn engines that had been displayed by Bray Parish Council but was now in storage.  This provided an opportunity for Maidenhead to show its heritage.

Mr Hill addressed Cabinet and informed that Its good to see the building has a sustainable use and he was sure that the heritage centre would be pleased to move there.  He did have concern about the loss of community space as the report did mention groups that had come forward such as the Hindu Society and Sporting Mind but there was no mention of this in the equalities impact assessment for disability or religious impact.  Although its an empty building he thought some consideration should be given to potential us and impact.

The Chairman said that if the paper was approved he hoped the negotiations with the heritage centre would be concluded and the building would remain as a community facility and would help educate children and be a visitor attraction.    He had been approached by other community groups but he had to balance what was best for the site and its community value. 

The Director of RBWM Property Company addressed the equality’s impact assessment and informed that they had looked at the existing use of the building and if Sports Able leaving disadvantaged groups.  As Sports Able had been successful within the borough there were plenty of facilities remaining for those with disabilities.  With regards to incoming use there was nothing to suggest that the heritage centre would not provide for all user groups.  The building would remain accessible and thus no adverse impact was identified. 

Mr Sharma addressed Cabinet on behalf of the Hindu Society of Maidenhead.  We have been working for the past 15 years with the growing community to meet our cultural, social and religious needs.  Recently this group has been the borough’s response to the recent pandemic.  They had been instrumental in promoting and raising awareness amongst the community.  Due to the lack of community space they struggled to maximise the potential of their members.  The Sports Able site would be ideal for their use and as a hub and focal point for communities to help get over the impact of the pandemic.  Once they had a site it would help in having a stronger strategic link with the council.  Other the last few years other sites had been investigated and this included a failed planning application at cost.  He asked for consideration be given to their needs and read out a legal statement with regards to the Human Rights Act and equalities. 

The Chairman paid tribute to the work the society had done especially during the pandemic, however the report outlined the plan to work with the heritage centre, but if those plans did not work then they would come back and look at other options.  Although he could not make any promises he would continue to work with them to try and find a solution. 

Cllr Werner said he was pleased that the Sports Able building would remain in community use and that the heritage centre would be a new home, however he also agreed with Mr Sharma in that there were other groups that would benefit from a new home.  He raised concern about recommendation 2 in the report that said if the deal with the heritage centre did not work then they would look at a commercial deal.  He recommended that this be changed to they look at other community solutions. 

The Chairman responded that they had explored all options and unlike leaflets that had been distributed there were no intentions to make the heritage centre homeless, he suggested that if the leaflets were corrected then he could amend the recommendations.  As mentioned when looking at use for the building he had to consider the value for money for our tax payers and the community benefits. 

Resolved unanimously:  that Cabinet notes the report and:

i)                 Approves the disposal of the former Sports Able Building to Maidenhead Heritage Centre in return for the acquisition of the current Heritage Centre on Park Street.

ii)               Approves the leasing of the former Sports Able building on a commercial basis in the event that the transaction to the Maidenhead Heritage Centre does not proceed and after further discussions had been held with other community groups.

iii)             Delegates authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Business, Economic Development & Property to negotiate the legal contracts required to complete the transactions.