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Dear Capt,
Thank you for your email dated January 8th concerning the proposed redevelopment of the Tides Leisure Centre complex.
The position regarding the funding of the project is actually rather different to that which you suggest.
The Council's Tides Leisure Centre Project Advisory Group were advised in December 2022 that: "Since July 2022, the project has moved to an unaffordable position. The option with leisure water is more affordable than without, despite the capital cost savings, as the reduction in net revenue significantly outweighs the capital cost savings. The affordability gap for the option with leisure water is between -£7.9m (historic utilities costs) and - £11.6m (current high utility costs)."
The budget papers from March 2023, do indeed, state that the capital programme is fully funded, but this statement does of course relate to the budget allocations included within the papers and this is made clear as it is noted that the Tides Leisure Centre redevelopment is subject to the outcome of feasibility studies.
The decision taken by the new Cabinet in November, which forms the basis of the EKM report, was to accept the detailed feasibility summary report, noting the challenges posed to the viability of the project by the wider economic climate, and to ask officers to explore whether there are any alternative solutions or sources of external funding that might provide a possible phased way forward for the project. This work is ongoing and a further report is due to be presented to Cabinet in the next few weeks.
Finally, whilst I note your comments regarding the Council's regeneration projects, Deal has of course had plenty of investment over the years, not least the major refurbishment of the pier and the construction of the highly successful, and award-winning cafe. We anticipate further works on the pier this year.
With regards to the projects within Dover, the new administration has been pleased to accelerate the delivery of the regeneration plans for Dover, most of which were of course initiated by the previous administration.
Best wishes
Sue