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.”

Part closure of Gainsborough Sports Centre site to allow for use as an NHS COVID-19  Vaccination Centre

The Council has been asked to extend the licence given to the NHS for the use of Gainsborough Sports Centre as a COVID-19 Vaccination Centre. The NHS has requested that the licence be extended to the end of September 2021. 

Allowing the NHS to use the site for this additional period will allow residents to continue to easily access COVID-19 vaccinations potentially saving many lives.

It is noted that the extended closure of the centre will mean that service users are not able to take part in some activities at the centre and will reduce the Council’s income from the centre.

Note – Some parts of Gainsborough Sports Centre will continue to be available for use (subject to 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 extend the temporary closure of much of the Gainsborough Sports Centre to allow for its use by the NHS for a period of up to 30^th September 2021 and to authorise the Chief Operating Officer to 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 continuation of the use as a Vaccination Centre. The exemption decision also had regard to the level of consultation undertaken prior to the decision being made.