Agenda item

To receive and consider the report of the Operations and Estates Officer.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Operations and Estates Officer, explaining the issues with using pitch one at The Leys as an events field as well as a sports pitch.  The Halls and Green Spaces Committee held the previous week had acknowledged this and had voted in favour of it being used exclusively for events.

The Committee discussed this and all members voted in favour of it becoming an area just for events.

RESOLVED:

1.            that the report be noted;

2.            that Pitch One side of the Leys Recreation Ground is used solely as an

events field going forward;

3.         that no further events are to be held on the Leys Recreation Ground other than the existing use on the cricket side by Witney Carnival and Witney Feast;

4.         that large events will not be allowed use of the Town Council’s other sports pitches, which will be reserved solely for minor events i.e. play day etc. and sporting use only;

5.         that the Draft Events Policy and Application documentation including changes to PLI be approved with a moderation to the Children or Vulnerable Adults policy on page 8 from “coming into direct contact” to “working unsupervised with” and the addition of a section on carbon offsetting and the requirement of a license for charity collections – this would be reviewed again at the forthcoming Policy, Governance and Finance Committee meeting;

6.         that provision of an annual ground renovation rolling budget of £5,000 be made for the Leys in order to maintain the ground in an acceptable condition - this would include decompaction, over seeding as required, maintaining the grass sward and levelling uneven areas following events;

7.         that the provision of re-in forced trackways to main entrance to the Events Field be agreed;

8.         that the couple wishing to land a helicopter on The Leys be denied permission due to the climate emergency and also health and safety issues.