Council
Agenda Item 43
Subject: Leisure Centres and Energy-inefficiency
Date of meeting: 20 October 2022
Proposer: Councillor Bagaeen
Seconder: Councillor Nemeth
Ward(s) affected: All
Notice of Motion
Conservative Group
This Council:
a. Notes the antiquated and dilapidated state of most of Brighton & Hove’s leisure centres, which are no longer fit for purpose for a modern city;
b. Further notes the poor energy-efficiency of many of these leisure centres and the current early closures to mitigate the effects of their poor energy performance 1;
c. Expresses concern about the lack of firm plan or impetus to upgrade our leisure facilities to modern standards; and
Therefore, resolves to:
1. Calls for a report to be presented to Policy & Resources Committee, which:
a. Reviews the state of these assets from an energy-efficiency standpoint; and
b. Provides a costed plan to upgrade the city’s leisure facilities in the run-up to the 2030 deadline.
Supporting information:
Research from international real estate advisor Savills reveals that a total of 185 million sq ft of UK retail space is at risk of becoming unlettable by 2023 if the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) are not met2. It will be prohibited to let commercial buildings with an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating of Grade F or G from 1st April 2023, with a longer term target for all commercial buildings to be rated a minimum of EPC B by 2030.
1 https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/22804150.brighton-leisure-centres-change-hours-amid-energy-crisis/