Agenda item

To receive a verbal update from the Town Clerk & Chief Executive Officer.

The Committee received a verbal update from the Town Clerk & Chief Executive Officer concerning Madley Park Playing Fields, Windrush Place grass pitches and the cricket wicket at West Witney Sports Ground.

With regard to Madley Park playing fields, she explained there was a complex dual user agreement in place which the District Council’s legal team were considering along with some draft Heads of Terms for the possible lease to WTC. A question on the maintenance of these pitches had been raised prior to the meeting as it appeared they were not being sufficiently maintained as pitches. This detail had been passed to the District Council to investigate further.

On Windrush Place grass pitches, the Town Clerk advised were still under the control of the developers because they had to be maintained for a two-year period before they could be utilised.  The Town Clerk advised she had been approached by the development consortium to see if the Council would be prepared to take them on. There appeared to be a misunderstanding as the site Section 106 was managed by the District Council, she was waiting to have a meeting with the District Council Officers to understand what the problems were.

Members also heard that, on the advice of the English Cricket Board, a cricket boundary assessment had been commissioned at West Witney Sports Ground. The findings of the report suggested the tennis courts were a sufficient distance away from the pitches without the need for mitigation.

With the express permission of the Chair, the Town Clerk also provided an update on Unterhaching Park and Ralegh Crescent play areas.

The transfer of Unterhaching Park had been delayed while works of the safety surfacing were being procured by the District Council and appeared to be some way off. However, the Town Clerk was hopeful that a licence to use the land for a Platinum Jubilee Legacy Project, at the cost of the District Council, would be granted.

Members also heard that Heads of Terms for the freehold transfer of Ralegh Crescent Play Area were still being drafted by the District Council and a review of the offsite S106 contribution towards the upgrading of the basketball area.

Resolved:

That, the verbal update on sports pitches and play areas be noted.