Agenda item

To receive and consider the report of Consult QRD Ltd

The Committee received and considered the Witney Sports Facilities Options Paper as previously circulated.

There was a discussion about some of the data in the report particularly the Town’s predicted expansion and the fact that using data for the whole of West Oxfordshire had skewed some of the assumptions.  Some of the smaller sports sites had been missed out, including school facilities.

There was also discussion about the 4G pitch and whether the Town Council should wait for West Oxfordshire District Council to engage or whether to push ahead with things that the Town Council could do independently.  Following a member’s question, the Town Clerk confirmed that S106 developer funding was due to be received via the District Council for West Witney Sports Ground (£259,349) and the Corn Exchange (£103,740) imminently – this equated to three quarters of the funding due.

A member felt that it was really important for the Town Council to set out its vision.  Other Committee members agreed.  The Chair commented that it was important to sort the leases out on the West Witney site so that the sports clubs could access grants. 

RECOMMENDED:  that the consultant be requested to assist the Council with putting together a vision for its sports facilities.