Issue - meetings

Report of Interim Executive Director Neighbourhood Services

Purpose of report

To obtain Executive Approval to commence next steps on the development of a new 3G Football Pitch at Whitelands Farm Sports Ground in Bicester. The report outlines any financial risks.

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1           To approve the next steps in developing a new 3G Football Pitch at Whitelands Farm Sports Ground in Bicester accounting for any financial risk outlined within the report.

Resolved

(1)          That the next steps in developing a new 3G Football Pitch at Whitelands Farm Sports Ground in Bicester, accounting for any financial risk, be approved.

The Interim Executive Director Neighbourhood Services (at the time of agenda publication) submitted a report to obtain Executive Approval to commence next steps on the development of a new 3G Football Pitch at Whitelands Farm Sports Ground in Bicester. The report outlined any financial risks.

In considering the report, Executive members commended the hard work of officers to secure external funds.

In response to comments from Councillor Ford and Councillor Sibley who welcomed and were supportive of the additional facilities but sought clarification regarding the communication and engagement with Bicester Town Council, the Portfolio Holder for Healthy and Safe Communities explained he had spoken with the Bicester Town Council Policy Committee Chair regarding the signing of the lease agreement. The Assistant Director Wellbeing and Housing confirmed that CDC had answered all questions raised by Bicester Town Council and confirmed the lease arrangements had now been signed.

The Portfolio Holder for Healthy and Safe Communities confirmed that he, together with the Assistant Director Wellbeing and Housing, would be happy to meet Bicester Town Councillors.

Resolved

(1)          That the next steps in developing a new 3G Football Pitch at Whitelands Farm Sports Ground in Bicester, accounting for any financial risk, be approved.

Reasons

An opportunity has been identified to increase and enhance the leisure facilities within Cherwell with the development of a new 3G Football Pitch at Whitelands Farm Sports Ground in Bicester which would add to the current provision. The funding for the proposed new 3G pitch is through identified S106 and partnership funding of up to 75% of project costs with the Football Foundation.

It is recommended that officers are to be instructed to continue to work in partnership with the Football Foundation to seek to secure grant funding. Whilst there is a risk that should the Council not wish to proceed with the project even after a grant offer from the Football Foundation the level of this risk is capped at circa £35,000.

Alternative options

Option 1: Not to apply for grant funding from the Football Foundation

This to be rejected on the basis that without Football Foundation/3^rd Party Funding then the delivery of new facilities becomes unaffordable and the unmet demand for 3G pitches in Bicester remains. The ability to deliver on the actions within the Playing Pitch Strategy and provide excellent leisure facilities to residents is extremely important