Agenda item

The Committee considered a report on the subject of the Arrow Valley Lake and potential to make further use of the lake moving forward. 

In considering this matter, Members were asked to note that the Council had a contract with the sailing club for the use of the Arrow Valley Lake.

Members noted that the Sailing Club’s contracted timeframes for use of the Arrow Valley Lake did not apply 24 hours a day seven days a week.  There were four days in the week where there was scope for Rubicon Leisure Limited to use the lake for other purposes, including events.  Members suggested that groups, such as the Sea Cadets, would also potentially be interested in making use of the lake.

Questions were raised about the quality of the water in the Arrow Valley Lake.  Members suggested that water quality tests needed to be undertaken prior to any decision being made to introduce additional activities and events on the lake.  Officers were therefore asked to arrange for water tests to take place accordingly.

During consideration of this item, the following suggestion was proposed by Councillor Emma Marshall.

“On days when the Arrow Valley Lake is free from the contracted exclusive use of the sailing club, Rubicon Leisure Limited should deliver activities at the lake.”

Officers explained that recommending activities that Rubicon Leisure Limited could deliver at the Arrow Valley Lake was not a reserved matter for the consideration of the Committee.  Therefore, this was not something that could be recommended by the Committee.  However, the Managing Director of Rubicon Leisure Limited could be asked to present a report for consideration at a future meeting of the Committee on the subject of the company’s potential use of the lake.

Reference was made to the pontoon in the section of the lake that was located immediately outside the Arrow Valley Countryside Centre.  Members commented that the pontoon did not tend to be used and needed some investment to ensure that it was fit for purpose for use moving forward.  It was noted that such investment to improve the quality of the pontoon was likely to have financial implications for the Council.  Members were also asked to note that this request was being made in a context in which the Council had only just agreed the Medium Term Financial Plan 2024/25 to 2026/27.  However, it was agreed that Officers should explore this matter further.

RESOLVED that

1)          That Rubicon Leisure approach the Sailing Club to discuss its proposals for future use of the Lake,

2)          That Rubicon Leisure consider asking the Sailing Club to enter into a Shared Use Agreement to sit alongside the current Lease once it has finalised its proposals for future use of the Lake.

(During consideration of this item, Members discussed matters that necessitated the disclosure of exempt information. It was therefore agreed to move to exclude the press and public prior to any debate on the grounds that information would be revealed which related to the financial and business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)).