Decision details

This decision was made under delegation 10.1(c) of Section 5 of Part 3 of the Council’s Constitution.  That delegation gives the following authority to the Chief Executive:

“Exercise the Council's powers to prepare for and deal with any disaster or emergency affecting life or property in Ipswich.”

The Council has been asked to make Gainsborough Sports Centre available to the NHS to use as a COVID-19 Vaccination Centre for a period of up to six months on terms and conditions to be agreed.

Allowing the NHS to use the site will allow residents to easily access COVID-19 vaccinations potentially saving many lives. It is noted that the proposal would result in service users not being able to take part in some activities at the centre and will reduce the Council’s income from the centre.

Note: it is anticipated that the outdoor pitches will still be available for use (when such use is again permitted within Coronavirus restrictions).The Gymnastic Centre (Pipers Vale) and the FIND centre within the wider site are separate sites/facilities and therefore not affected by this decision.

To temporarily close much of  the Gainsborough Sports Centre to allow for its use by the NHS for a period of up to 31^st May 2021, subject to final terms being agreed between parties, and authorise the Chief Operating Officer to complete negotiations and agree the necessary terms and conditions with the NHS to enact this decision.

Reason for decision:

To enable the use of the Gainsborough Sports Centre site for essential public health purposes.

Note: This decision is exempt from call-in to enable the opening of the Vaccination Centre as soon as practicable. The exemption decision also had regard to the level of consultation undertaken prior to the decision being made.