A special meeting of the Council’s Children’s and Families Scrutiny Panel recommended this evening that Cabinet agree to continue the current watersports provision at Hengistbury Head until 31 August 2009, to allow organisations more time to come forward with robust business plans for keeping the Centre open. The Panel discussed options that could include the Council working with existing voluntary and community groups already involved with the Centre and / or sailing in the area that have expressed interest in taking over the running of the facility. The Panel agreed that in any business case put forward organisations should consider how the Centre’s services could be advertised better and to consider the refurbishment of the building. If the said organisation can take over the Centre before 31 August 2009 they will be allowed to do so. Members debated the circumstances surrounding the proposal to end the service, and spent three hours in a thorough examination of the tendering and decision-making process. Members heard that previously interested organisations had not submitted a tender application for a number of reasons including: · Economic uncertainty and difficulty borrowing to invest; · Limited viability of the business due to constraints of the site. In particular, the site is a Site of Special Scientific Interest so facilities cannot be expanded, and tidal restrictions mean water-based activities are only possible every other week; · More attractive competition within the relative proximity of Poole and Weymouth. Councillor Claire Smith, Chair of the Panel, commented: “The message was very clear from the public and Councillors that there was a great will to see this Centre continue. We hope that Cabinet will act on our recommendation. “The Panel is effectively asking Cabinet to give a commitment to watersports provision for Bournemouthchildren. Whilst this work is ongoing, we recommend that the current service remains open until 31 August 2009 to allow time for independent organisations to build a robust business case with the help of the Council.” | 
