@ExeterCouncil Media Release | Hate crime has no place in Exeter

 

Media Release | 30 June 2016

Hate crime has no place in Exeter, City Council stresses

Hate crime has no place in Exeter, Exeter City Council said today, following reports of migrant communities being abused in the city.

Hate crime has risen by 57% across the country since the result of the EU Referendum, according to the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

Cllr Paul Bull, Lead Councillor for Communities and Neighbourhoods, said there had already been reports that migrant communities were being verbal abused and physically attacked in Exeter since last Thursday.

“Hate crime has no place in Exeter,” he stressed. “In the main Exeter is a tolerant city and that our open and welcoming community has a rich mix of cultural heritage, as exhibited by the recent success of the 2016 Exeter Repect Festival in Belmont Park. So I want to reassure all people living in Exeter that they are valued members of our community.”

“However, there is a small minority that believe as a result of the recent referendum that all migrants should be repatriated – and are making their racist and xenophobic views known in violence towards those migrants.

“In particular, our local Polish community appears to be bearing the brunt of this abuse. I want to pay tribute to the brave Polish airmen of 307 Night Fighter Squadron – “The Eagle Owls” – who protected the skies above Exeter. Any attack on our current Polish community is a dishonour to their forebears who helped fight for this country. [1] [2]

“As Chair of Exeter’s Black and Minority Ethnic Forum I am calling for an emergency meeting to bring together local community representatives, partners, agencies and the police to discuss the current situation, and ensure ensure local bodies and programmes have the support and resources they need to fight and prevent racism and xenophobia.

“I welcome the statement from Devon & Cornwall Police’s Diverse Communities Teams and Neighbourhood Teams that they are working hard to provide support and reassurance to all our communities.

“It is vital that we all work closely to promote the message that any instances of ’hate’ such as abuse, harassment or violence are completely unacceptable and will be dealt with robustly, with a zero tolerance approach.

“In the meanwhile, I would urge anyone suffering xenophobic abuse – or anyone witnessing such actions – to report such incidents to the D&C Police and the relevant local authorities.”

=ENDS=

The media release can be found on the ECC website here:

https://exeter.gov.uk/people-and-communities/council-news/latest-news/hate-crime-has-no-place-in-exeter-city-council-stresses/

Notes for editors:

[1] On 15 November 1942, the Polish 307 Squadron presented the City of Exeter with a Polish flag, and now on each anniversary this flag is flown above the Guildhall.

The Polish flag presented by 307 Squadron flying above Exeter Guildhall on 15 November 2015

[2] In 2015, the flag raising ceremony was attended by the Polish Ambassador to the UK, Witold Sobków, who also opened the exhibition: “For Your Freedom and Ours. Polish Squadron 307” in Exeter Guildhall
http://www.londyn.msz.gov.pl/en/news/ambassador_witold_sobkow_in_exeter

ECC | Information about the business case for Exeter’s new leisure complex

Information about the business case for Exeter’s new leisure complex

This factsheet is intended to provide high level information concerning the business case for the Exeter Active Leisure Centre Project.

Why do we need a new leisure complex?

Having opened in the 1940s, Exeter’s Pyramids pool has reached the end of its lifetime. It has become very costly to run and needs substantial multi-million pound investment just to consolidate its continued operation before any improvements can be made to enhance the user experience. The physical constraints of the Pyramids building and site mean there is no scope for extension to offer more facilities.

What is the project cost summary?

The council has a total budget of £26 million for the leisure complex.

This figure covers all building work costs, including statutory and professional fees, costs

associated with the acquisition of the site and the cost of procuring a leisure operator.

We are unable to release specific figures at the present time, as they are commercially sensitive and may prejudice the tendering process.

How does this cost compare to other leisure centres of the same standard?

Sport England have confirmed that the base building cost for the leisure complex compares favourably to similar facilities across the UK.

The cost equates to £3,333/m2, which is in keeping with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors BCIS (Building Cost Information Service) rates of between £2,750/m2 to £3,350/m2 for other leisure schemes which reflects the high quality construction required forpassivhaus and the city centre location.

As the design progresses through the ‘detailed design’ and ‘technical design’ stages, the Quantity Surveyor will continue to work closely with the design team to manage and control successful delivery within the project budget.

What is the phasing of this expenditure over the development period?

What is the estimated revenue income for the council?

The leisure complex is expected to deliver a trading surplus in every year of its operational life, with a share being returned to the council through a profit share agreement with the leisure operator.

We expect overall income (not just expected revenue) after the first full year of trading to be somewhere in the region of £1.7m to £2m.

More detailed information on revenue will not be released until a leisure operator has been procured. To release the information before the tendering process would impact on the council’s commercial interests. However, in the long term the development will pay for itself and offer a long-term source of income to the council.

This income will be re-invested in facilities and services around the city.

How is the development being funded?

The funding is being sourced from money received via the New Homes Bonus and Community Infrastructure levy.

The council has passed a resolution that the underlying need to borrow will not increase as a result of the leisure complex. Therefore long term borrowing costs will not be incurred.

What assumptions have been made when costing the project?

Costs current at Q3 2015.

Anticipated form of contract is JCT.

Anticipated procurement route is Design & Build, with design up to RIBA Stage E / New Plan 5.

Start on site date Q1 2017.

All works to be in normal working hours other than those specifically mentioned.

Total vacant possession at start on site.

Any excavated material which will need to be removed will be categorisedas ‘inert’ beyond allowance.

Ground conditions will be suitable with no significant cut and fill exerciserequired beyond allowance.

The services to the site do not require reinforcement.

Demolition and asbestos removal from the bus station will be undertaken outside of this project.

Building to be constructed to high quality due to city centre location.

External works to consist of only those shown in the site area, no allowance beyond this.

Costs arising from decontamination of site and removal and disposal of contaminated materials/debris beyond allowance.

A dig and dump remediation method for oil, oil filters and brake fluids from vehicles and machines to site area only. The exact volume is unknown, the allowance includes for a disposal volume of approximately 4,000m3. The allowance could vary considerably based upon timeframe for remediation, depth and distribution of contamination, patterns of surface drainage,location of existing on- site services, depth of necessary foundations and below-ground services. (A contingency sum has been set aside to mitigate such eventualities)

BREEAM Excellent energy criteria requirements only.

The commercial retail space will be constructed outside of this project.

Costs for all surveys required have been included within the Design Team Fee.

Have you undertaken a risk assessment in relation to funding?

In respect of the risk assessment, the council has already set aside £7.9m from New Homes Bonus (with the remainder coming from CIL income). Short term borrowing to cover any timing differences will be undertaken (current cost 0.65% per annum, expected torise to 1.75% by 2018). Provision for the repayment of debt is 2% for a long term asset. The cashflow has been mapped to the timings of receipts and on current projections is not significantly different.

What is the life cycle costing?

At the initial feasibility and options evaluation stage of the project, full 25 year life cycle costing models were developed to consider ongoing running and maintenance costs of the facility. This exercise identified that the selected use of Passivhaus as a build standard would reduce energy consumption by circa 70% per annum. In addition the forecast total spend on plant repair / replacement would be reduced over the 25 year period due to the specification of higher quality products and the improved internal environment reducing normal deterioration and repair requirements.

How will you mitigate against future climate changes?

Exeter University as appointed Climate Change Consultants for the development have assisted the design team in ensuring that the new facility is specifically designed to mitigate future climate changes in the Region up to 2080. This work has influenced the design and specification of the building ensuring it does not overheat in future years, that surface water drainage from the building can drain sufficiently  even in peak flash flood conditions and there is sufficient solar shading. The retrofit of climate mitigation measures can be substantial, for a conventional built building (not

Passivhaus), research undertaken by the Technology Strategy Board on similar projects shows these costs could easily exceed £750,000 over the first 50 year lifetime of the building.

What procurement process have you gone through?

To date, the procurement and appointment of the Professional Team has been competitively tendered via full OJEU compliant procurement procedures. The appointment of the main building contractor will be competitive, in a manner fully compliant with the 2015 Public Contracts Regulations.

Where can I find more information about the leisure complex?

Visit http://www.exeteractive.com/

Sovereign Housing Association | New Passivhaus development in Exeter

The architects Gale & Snowden – pioneers in their work on PassivHaus properties – announce on their website the opening ceremony for a ground-breaking development in Exeter.

Bevan House was handed over to the client and tenants at a ceremony on 17 October 2013 with Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Hannaford and Sovereign Housing Association.

The affordable housing flats are part of Exeter City Council’s plans to provide more quality housing accommodation in Exeter that are affordable for the occupants to run.  The development was designed by Gale & Snowden Architects and Engineers to Passivhaus principles and were built by CG Fry & Son Contractors.

Image: Jonathon Bosley Photography courtesy of CG Fry & Son

Image: Jonathon Bosley Photography courtesy of CG Fry & Son

The development features:
– Super insulation and thermal bridge free design
– High performance triple glazed timber windows and doors
– Air tight design achieving 0.5 ac/hr
– 93% efficient MVHR
– Thermal mass design providing inter-seasonal internal temperature stability

Designed to meet Lifetime Homes standard, Code 4, Secured by Design, optimum daylight levels throughout, Bevan House is currently being assessed for Passivhaus certification

Purely through passive design elements, the new flats at Bevan House will use approximately 75% less heating energy when compared to a standard UK building (2010 Building Regulation requirements), making it truly affordable for its tenants without compromising on comfort or indoor air quality.

Bevan House will provide exemplary, affordable housing, built to the highest standard of energy efficient construction.  This project shows again that we can successfully target fuel poverty and combat climate change at the same time.