Agenda item - Self- Managed Sports Facilities in Parks and Recreation Grounds

Report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture

That Environment Transport and Sustainability Committee:

1)             Notes the progress made in transferring outdoor sports facilities to sports clubs and community organisations.

2)             Recommends that Policy and Resources Committee approves the additional criteria which are to be considered in determining the transfer of outdoor sports facilities in parks to community organisations as set out in appendix 2 and that they are added to the CATP as an appendix.

3)             Recommends that Policy and Resources Committee approves a further condition of transfer which will allow the use of the facilities by local residents on low incomes at a reduced rate.

4)             Recommends that Policy and Resources Committee approves that consultation with the community and its representatives takes place before any lease or license is granted.

71.1      The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture that recommend that the criteria set out in Appendix 2 of the report in relation to the transfer of outdoor sports facilities in parks and recreation grounds be adopted and added to the Community Asset Transfer Policy (CATP).

71.2      Councillor Appich moved a motion on behalf of the Labour Group to amend the recommendations as shown in bold italics below:

That Environment Transport and Sustainability Committee:

2.1     Notes the progress made in transferring outdoor sports facilities to sports clubs and community organisations.

2.2     Recommends that Policy and Resources Committee approves the additional criteria which are to be considered in determining the transfer of outdoor sports facilities in parks to community organisations as set out in appendix 2 and that they are added to the CATP as an appendix.

2.3     Recommends that Policy and Resources Committee approves a further condition of transfer which will allow the use of the facilities by local residents on low incomes at a reduced rate.

2.4      Recommends that Policy and Resources Committee approves that consultation with the community and its representatives takes place before any lease or license is granted.

71.3      Introducing the motion, Councillor Appich stated that its purpose was to ensure thorough consultation took place and to guarantee that low income households living in the facility could continue to access such facilities if they were transferred.

71.4      Councillor Fowler formally seconded the motion.

71.5      Councillor Wares stated that he was very cautious about adding further conditions to the policy as many things the amendment sought such as enhanced community access was already in place in the CATP. New conditions may create an artificial barrier to community groups who had much greater access to funding than the council and could be a detriment to the improvement of the facilities. Councillor Wares stated that the Conservative Group would be abstaining on the Labour Group motion.

71.6      The Chair then put the motion to the vote that passed.

71.7      The Chair then put the recommendations as amended to the vote that were agreed.

71.8      RESOLVED-

That Environment Transport and Sustainability Committee:

1)             Notes the progress made in transferring outdoor sports facilities to sports clubs and community organisations.

2)             Recommends that Policy and Resources Committee approves the additional criteria which are to be considered in determining the transfer of outdoor sports facilities in parks to community organisations as set out in appendix 2 and that they are added to the CATP as an appendix.

3)             Recommends that Policy and Resources Committee approves a further condition of transfer which will allow the use of the facilities by local residents on low incomes at a reduced rate.

4)             Recommends that Policy and Resources Committee approves that consultation with the community and its representatives takes place before any lease or license is granted.