Harrogate Borough Council
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7 November 2007- NEGOTIATIONS are
underway between Harrogate Borough Council and Ripon City Council,
which will result in a major investment in leisure facilities for
the city.
The two councils are in the early stages of concluding agreed
terms for a further jointly funded capital investment into Ripon
Leisure Centre's fitness facilities.
The centre is currently owned by Ripon City Council, but
managed under agreement by Harrogate Borough
Council.
The new investment at the Ripon Leisure Centre will see an
enlarged fitness suite created with the capacity to increase
members by over 200. This will enable the
Borough Council to maintain the Leisure Centre facility into the
future without the need for the City Council to contribute to the
annual running costs for the site.
It is intended that the freehold interest in the building will
transfer to the Borough Council, which will allow the City Council
to free up investments that can then be used to improve or provide
other leisure facilities.
Ripon City Councillor, and Independent Group Leader at
Harrogate Borough Council, Councillor Andrew Williams
said: "We are pleased that the Borough Council
has agreed to our request. The bond the City
Council invested to support our interest in the Leisure Centre can
now be ploughed back into Ripon for various ventures.
Backing the plans, Councillor Andrew Jones, Cabinet Member for
Resources at the Borough Council, said: "This
investment in fitness facilities for the people of Ripon
demonstrates our ambition to improve sporting and cultural
facilities across the district.
"Continued sound financial management in the delivery of
cultural services is allowing this council to make these
commitments despite the prospect of difficult financial settlements
from the Government. Where new investment
clearly improves the quality of life for residents, and a sound
financial case can be made, we will continue to invest in these
services."
Discussions have been taking place for sometime now and it is
hoped that formal agreements will be reached by the end of the
year. ENDS
FURTHER INFORMATION: is available from Councillor
Andrew Jones on 07720 717463, Councillor Andrew Williams on 07793
552710. Further technical information is available from Mr Tony
Stephens, Head of Leisure Museums and Arts on 01423
556732.