FI16132

Request

  1. I understand there was a investment of £29 million in upgrading the facilities but I would like to know specifically the cost of the gym refurb and the cost of all the equipment.  I’d like an equipment list the make and the cost of each item.
  2. Also please tell me the sq ft area it takes up.
  3. Also can you tell me which suppliers were selected and used? ie Council Tax, gov grants, loans etc
  4. Can you also tell me how the money was raised, i e Council Tax, Gov Grants etc.
  5. Also please can you inform me of the annual business rates that the council pay for the leisure facilities.
  6. Does the council exempt itself or can it apply discounts?
  7. Is the gym rated separately or does it form a part of the whole amount of rate and if so how is that apportioned?

Response

  1. The total build cost of Dover District Leisure Centre was £26.4m. The gym equipment installed was provided by the leisure operator contractor. The Council does not hold any information about the equipment installed or the cost.
  2. The fitness studio is approx. 5,800 sq ft (from approved planning application DOV/17/00305).
  3. The Council does not hold this information.  The suppliers of gym equipment were selected by the appointed leisure operator contractor. 
  4. The Dover District Leisure Centre project was funded by a combination of Council capital funding, external Sport England Funding (Strategic Facilitates Investment Fund) and a loan from the Public Works Loan Board.  The gym refurbishment recently undertaken has been financed by the leisure operator contractor and the Council does not hold any information about how this was financed.
  5. The property is leased to another organisation and therefore business rates liability falls to the occupier and not to the District Council.  The District Council does not therefore pay the business rates for these premises.
  6. Any national exemptions or discounts would only apply if the property met the criteria set out under legislation.
  7. The Council does not hold this information as the rating of properties is undertaken by the Valuation Office.