Issue - meetings

To receive a report by the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Corporate Director for Growth, Environment and Transport on a proposed decision to enter into a Deed of Variation to the Operator Agreement for the Cyclopark Trust.

1.    The Head of Regeneration Projects, Theresa Bruton, introduced a report that asked the Cabinet Committee to endorse the proposed decision to agree to enter into a Deed of Variation to the Operator Agreement with Cyclopark Trust to take on the additional lease and funding arrangements as detailed further in Appendix B of the report.

2.    Theresa received comments and responded to questions by Members as follows:

a)    In regards to whether Cyclopark would be self-financing in future Ms Bruton advised that KCC would continue to fund £125,000 for the next seven years as determined in the Operator Agreement. She confirmed that Cyclopark Trust’s ambition was to develop and grow the business and to eventually becoming self-supporting.

b)    She also advised that the primary ambition for KCC and its partners was for the success of Cyclopark as a legacy of the London Olympics and Paralympics Games in Kent. This was already proving a great community and visitor destination. A financial return for KCC has not been established as a requirement of that provision.

c)    In response to a query into the publicity of the site it was confirmed an outreach programme was already being pursued enthusiastically which includes visits to and from schools. It was also emphasised that Members were welcome to visit the site should they be interested.

3.    RESOLVED that the Cabinet Committee endorse the decision to be taken by the Cabinet Member for Economic Development to agree to enter into a Deed of Variation to the Operator Agreement for the Cyclopark Trust to take on the additional lease and funding arrangements as found at Appendix 2 of the report.