Millennium Park Preserved

Mid Beds District Council remains committed to improving leisure facilities in Flitwick and the West of the District. Mid Beds has had lengthy discussions with the Town Council under the terms of current agreements. These include a 150-year lease and Mid Beds taking all the financial risk, using any surplus to invest in leisure across the district. But the Town Council have altered their position, asking for changes that could not be accommodated within the original business plan.

Mid Beds will now set up a sub-group of our Executive to review the current situation and come up with workable proposals for improving leisure in Flitwick and the West of the District. Mid Beds is a listening council and has noted the outcome of the public consultation. This means the Town Council’s plans to build on Millennium Park are not likely to go ahead.

Anita Lewis, Leisure, Culture and Safer Communities Portfolio Holder, said:
“We have clarified the aspirations of local residents and understand the Town Council’s position. We are confident that we will create a sports and leisure facility which will satisfy local people for many years to come.”

ENDS
Further information:

Currently Mid Beds takes all the financial risk on the running of the leisure centre and contracts with Stevenage Leisure to manage the facility. By taking all the risks Mid Beds feels any benefit from any surplus should be ploughed back into local leisure services.

Mid Beds currently has 144 years to run on its 150-year lease on the Steppingley Road site but is prepared to reduce this to 99 years. A short lease like 25 year would not protect the over £5m. capital we have said we would spend on any new facility on the site.

Contact:

Mark Hustwitt, Communications Manager on 01462 611014 (office), 07967474285 (mobile), or e-mail mark.hustwitt@midbeds.gov.uk