Agenda item

To deal with any questions on notice from Members of the Council, in the order in which they have been received.

 

Each Councillor scheduled to ask a question may ask up to one supplementary question, which must be based on the original question or the answer provided to that question.

 

A period of up to 15 minutes is allocated for the asking and answering of questions.  This may be extended at the discretion of the Chairman with the agreement of the majority of those present.

 

The Chairman explained that five Questions on Notice had been submitted for this meeting.

 

Question submitted by Councillor C. Hotham

 

“The Market Hall (Nailers Yard) development appears to be turning into Bromsgrove’s HS2. A vanity project with a huge overspend. Originally, the cost was expected to be £10,399,000. In March 2025 this had risen to £13,474,000. In August 2025 we are told it will now cost around £15,742,000. This is a £5,343,000 funded by the council taxpayers of Bromsgrove. What actions is the Cabinet Member responsible taking to control this 51% cost increase?”

 

The Cabinet Member for Strategic Partnerships, Economic Development and Enabling provided a detailed response for Members’ consideration.

 

In doing so, Members were reminded that Levelling Up Funding was allocated to areas to ‘level them up’ and the purpose of this funding was to create jobs and drive growth in areas to give people pride in the places where they lived.

 

Bromsgrove District Council had £17.694 million of funding committed to the Levelling Up Programme with the understanding that a further £2.425 Million was to be made available via Birmingham City Council as Bromsgrove’s allocation of funding from Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership.  The total funding in relation to the Levelling Up Programme was £20,118,612 once the anticipated LEP funding was confirmed.  The LEP funding was approved by the Enterprise Zone Partnership Board in November 2025 and would be progressing to Birmingham City Council’s Cabinet for consideration on 20^th January 2026.

 

The cost for the Nailer’s Yard project was estimated in 2021 to be £10,399,000 and was now £15,004,552.  This was a 44.29 per cent increase due to inflationary cost increases, the cost of underground obstructions and additional necessary work associated with the culvert that ran through the site. 

 

The additional £4,605,552 had been funded by additional grant funding secured by the Council, an underspend on the public realm project, the LEP funds and a small increase of £165,000 in terms of the Council’s contribution plus a £335,000 contingency should that be required.  The Council committed to contributing 10 per cent towards the Levelling Up Programme. It was confirmed that based on the latest figures the Council’s contribution was confirmed to be just under 10 per cent.

 

The cost increase to the Bromsgrove council taxpayer was therefore £165,000 not £5,343,000 as suggested. 

 

The Council had already delivered public realm projects in the High Street under budget; a clean site would be delivered at Windsor Street for housing development which was within budget and a new community hub and commercial building at Nailer’s Yard would be open by summer 2026.

 

It should also be noted that the Nailer’s Yard site would produce an ongoing revenue stream for the Council once completed through rental income that could offset the Council’s contribution of up to £2.1m.

 

Over £1 million of additional funding linked to delivering the package of important regeneration schemes for the people of Bromsgrove had been achieved. 

 

In terms of governance of Levelling Up projects, the programme was closely monitored by the Levelling Up Fund Board and quarterly Overview and Scrutiny Board meetings.

 

On a recent visit to the town centre, officials from Ministry of Housing,
Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), the main funding body for the programme, had beenvery impressed with delivery to date and the advanced progress made in comparison to other areas of the country.

 

A supplementary question was asked by Councillor C. Hotham. It was stated that the risks of inflationary costs of the Nailer’s Yard project had been highlighted previously. Therefore, what action was being taken to control the costs of the project for the residents of Bromsgrove?

 

The Leader responded that the projects were monitored very closely by the MHCLG. In addition, the costs that were being suggested by Councillor Hotham had Value Added Tax (VAT) included. However, the Council could claim back VAT.

 

Question submitted by Councillor J. Clarke

 

“The national advocacy charity Disabled Motoring UK has highlighted the serious impact that misuse of disabled bays is having on disabled people who face additional daily challenges in accessing local amenities. What action is this Council taking to enforce Blue Badge parking and prevent the misuse of disabled bays?”

 

The Cabinet Member for Strategic Partnerships, Economic Development and Enabling provided a response and stated that the Council’s Civil Enforcement Officers, when patrolling both the highways and car parks, always ensured that a valid Blue Badge was displayed correctly in the appropriate vehicle when parked in a disabled bay.  If this was not the case, then a Penalty Charge Notice would always be issued.

 

A supplementary question was asked by Councillor J. Clarke in respect of how private car parks were able to monitor the use of disabled parking spaces as often Blue Badge Holders were not always able to find a disable parking space. Members were informed that there were not many private car parks within the District where this private enforcement would be applicable.

 

Question submitted by Councillor S. Robinson

 

“As part of local efforts to tackle climate change, we welcome this Council’s ongoing commitment to delivering a Bromsgrove Zero Carbon District Heat Network, working in partnership with other organisations in the community. In light of imminent local government reorganisation, what are the next steps this Council needs to take to ensure this project is seen through to fruition?”

 

The Cabinet Member for Local Government Reorganisation and Climate Change responded to the questions and in doing so explained that the District Heat Network project remained a cornerstone of the Council’s Climate Emergency commitments and would deliver significant environmental, economic, and social benefits for Bromsgrove.

 

It was explained that this was one of a number of key climate change activities for the Council, which included: 

 

·     the development across services and with Members the new five-year Climate Change Strategy, including an interactive Cabinet Advisory Group (CAG) meeting held on 23^rd October 2025.  The final report was due to be considered by Cabinet in February 2026.

·     The set up for delivery of the Warm Homes Local Grant in Bromsgrove to support households in fuel poverty and help with the reduction in household carbon emissions.

·     Awarding ‘Act On Energy’ the contract for the energy advice service available to Bromsgrove residents.  Data on this was provided in our quarterly performance reports, with 382 households supported in the first six months of this year.

·     Supporting communications activity around days like clean air day, national recycling week, World nature conservation day, cycle to work and active travel international repair day, plastic free July, and fuel poverty awareness day with Act on Energy.

 

The Council was adopting a concession route for delivering the District Heat Network. This meant that a private sector partner, selected through a competitive procurement process, would be responsible for the construction, ownership, and operation of the network. The Council would retain strategic oversight to ensure the project aligned with its objectives.

 

Officers were currently finalising procurement specifications and contractual documents. The Council was seeking a strong and experienced partner organisation to collaborate with and would be focused on experience, financial stability, and sustainability commitments.

 

The Council was awarded a total of £247,500, held in Reserves, through a government grant and funding from Bromsgrove School and Worcestershire NHS Trust to complete the detailed project design phase and full business case. This work would explore alternative Phase One locations and prepare for procurement.  In addition, Officers would continue to pursue external funding opportunities, including the Green Heat Network Fund.

 

The scheme was a complex multi-agency project and the Council wanted to ensure that a governance framework be established that secured continuity through any future structural changes. This included maintaining strategic oversight of the concession route, ensuring the project aligned with the Council’s objectives and any new authority’s priorities.

 

Councillor S. Robinson asked a supplementary question requesting an indication of any timelines for the progression of the project. Cabinet Member for Local Government Reorganisation and Climate Change responded that the project was expected to progress through procurement and design phases in 2026, with construction commencing at the completion of the design phase. The design phase and business case was to be completed before the shadow authority was in place as part of the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) process.

 

Question submitted by Councillor D. Nicholl

 

“We note with concern the reduction in membership numbers at Bromsgrove Sport and Leisure Centre. What actions is this Council taking to support the ongoing success of this vital community facility and to protect much needed future income streams for the Council?”

 

The Cabinet Member for Strategic Partnerships, Economic Development and Enabling replied to the question and in doing so reported that there were currently 2414 fitness members registered to use Bromsgrove Sport and Leisure Centre.  It was noted that membership levels had been higher and the Council and Everyone Active who managed the centre were discussing plans to make sure the offer provided at the centre was the best it could be. Members were informed that it was important to note that the centre had a very strong post Covid-19 pandemic recovery with an increase of 18 per cent in memberships in 2022 compared to a national trend of 6 per cent and in 2023 this was still double the national trend at four per cent. The decline in numbers since 2024 was from a very strong position.   In Quarter Two the attrition rate of members at the centre was lower than the regional trend (Bromsgrove Sprot and Leisure Centre 5.21 per cent and regionally 5.71 per cent) and the length of stay was also five months more than the regional average. It was also noted that once members joined, they stayed, so there was a big push for new members. 

 

The centre was also offering a more holistic offer through a new You+ membership to meet the wider needs of their existing and new members.  There had been two new facilities open in the town since 2020, so there was certainly a positive trend in the number of residents engaging in gym-based health and wellbeing activities.

 

The Council was supporting the financial sustainability of the centre to safeguard the income to the Council through a number of schemes including the successful Sport England grant received this year to install Solar PV to the centre, this reduced the consumption in Quarter Two by over 17,000 kWh compared to 2024. This followed on from the financial support given to assist the centre following the Covid-19 pandemic and the energy crisis.

 

The Council and health partners were also supporting the centre to work with residents to engage them in activity with over 150 residents supported into regular activity through the Physical Activity Voucher Scheme. Also 345 young people attended the centre over the summer for the Holiday Activity and Food Programme.

 

Councillor D. Nicholl asked a supplementary question regarding the parking at BSLC and whether there had been any further progression of the potential for gym members to purchase an annual parking permit to park at the centre.

 

The Cabinet Member for Strategic Partnerships, Economic Development and Enabling responded that discussions were currently underway on parking matters.

 

Question submitted by Councillor J. Robinson

 

In October this Council passed a Motion to ensure all new and refurbished playgrounds are inclusive by design. What actions are being taken to make this vision a reality?

 

The Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, Leisure and Culture responded to the question. In doing so, it was clarified that the wording of the resolution in respect of the Motion considered at the Council meeting on 8^th October 2025 was as follows:

 

 “This Council resolves to ask Cabinet if they can undertake to always consider from the outset, inclusivity as part of the planning and design process of new and refurbished playgrounds.”

 

In terms of investment for play provision within the District, it was noted that since the end of 2024 the Council had an up to date Play Audit and Implementation Plan.  Amongst other things this documentation provided an audit of all eighty-five play areas in the District and set out a rationale for which of the forty play areas managed by the District Council should be improved or enhanced and in what order. The costs of all improvements and enhancements had been identified and funding of £2 million had been made available.

 

In terms of the standards of new play provision secured it was pointed out that the procurement process required that the play area provider to engage with residents and provide Accessible Play Space, i.e. a space which was barrier free, allowed users access to move around the space and offered participation opportunities for a range of differing abilities. It should be noted that not every child of every ability would be able to use everything within an accessible play space.

 

Since, the adoption of the Play Audit and Implementation Strategy there had been new play areas provided at Charford and Foxglove Way and a public engagement event had been held at Upland Grove.

 

In addition to using the Council’s own finances for play improvements, use had also been made of Section 106 monies and UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) monies.

 

In addition to the work stream that had already been put in place, Leisure Officers were engaged in the preparation of a policy approach about equipped play areas and children with disabilities.  Amongst other things, the intended policy document would set out an approach to having more Inclusive Play spaces so that there could be more opportunities for disabled children and non-disabled children to enjoy high levels of participation opportunities equally rich in play value across the District.  This ensured that a structured, strategic approach to this important matter was in place and would include those play areas managed by Parish Councils and third-sector organisations.

 

It was anticipated that the Play Policy Statement would be ready for Members to consider at Cabinet in February 2026. 

 

In terms of funding for more inclusive Play Spaces, some of the monies originally identified for the implementation for the play audit and investment plan on Bromsgrove District managed play areas over a ten-year period could be used.

 

Councillor J. Robinson asked a supplementary question in relation to the cost to produce the Inclusive Play Policy. The Cabinet Member for Finance responded that having only recently been appointed to Finance Portfolio he would provide a response to Members following the meeting.