Decision details
Leisure Centre Co-Vid 19
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Decision:
That the Council participates in a
collaborative agreement between itself, Maidstone Leisure Trust,
Serco Leisure Ltd and three Primary Care Networks at Maidstone
South, Maidstone Central and ABC to provide Covid-19 treatment
facilities (a “hot site”) at the Maidstone Leisure
Centre site and which conform to the requirements put in place by
the Clinical Commissioning Group.
That the Council gives permission for the Maidstone Leisure Trust
to not deliver its regular contracted services during this time so
that it can instead support the Covid-19 healthcare response.
That the council gives permission for Maidstone Leisure Trust to
use the leisure centre car park for the establishment of a
temporary, outdoor treatment site.
That the council gives permission for Maidstone Leisure Trust to
use the leisure centre building for clinical staff ancillary
facilities and health care administration.
These decisions are for a temporary period of time and will only be
in effect during the Covid-19 pandemic period. The council expects
the Maidstone Leisure Trust to continue with its regular contracted
services when the Covid-19 pandemic period ceases.
.
Reasons for the decision:
This decision has been taken in response to
the Covid-19 pandemic.
•It enables Maidstone Borough Council to support its local NHS
partners during a time of great need
•It enables Maidstone Borough Council to support residents and
communities at a time of great need
•It creates increased access to medical treatment for local
residents and protects GP surgeries for use by patients not
affected by COVID-19
•It makes best use of Maidstone Borough Council assets at a
time when their regular use is restricted by the Covid-19
regulations.
The “hot site” has required variation to the
Council’s current contractual agreements with Maidstone
Leisure Trust and requires planning consent.
With respect to the former a letter of intent was put in place
contemporaneously with the facility in the Leisure Centre car park
being constructed and actions put in hand for a formal variation to
the council’s contract with the Maidstone Leisure Trust. It
was not practicable to secure planning consent in advance of the
facility being implemented given the urgent need to set it up. The
Head of Planning and Development was consulted during consideration
of the proposed “hot site” and legal advice was taken
including Counsel’s opinion. The Clinical Commissioning Group
will submit a retrospective application to the council.
Subsequent to this Permitted Development provisions were changed
and planning consent is no longer required
Alternative options considered:
Using Maidstone Leisure Centre in this way on
a temporary basis is at the discretion of the council. The council
could opt not to use its assets and resources in this way, but that
would be to the severe detriment of Maidstone residents, whose
lives would be greatly impacted if this decision were not
taken.
The running costs associated with the temporary change of use are
all paid by the three primary care networks. Consideration will be
given to the use of S106 funding for the capital cost of
establishing the “hot site”.
Details of the Committee: This decision is not derived from a committee decision. The authority for the decision resides with the Chief Executive who is authorised to take any action necessary in connection with any civil emergency or disaster including response, recovery and business continuity as may be required from time to time. The Leader of the Council was consulted concerning the need to establish hot sites; the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Economic Regeneration and Leisure Committee were also advised, and all Group Leaders have been informed of the actions taken.
Contact: Alison Broom Email: alisonbroom@maidstone.gov.uk.
Publication date: 23/04/2020
Date of decision: 03/04/2020