Agenda item

To receive and consider the report of the Operations Manager.

With the permission of the Chair, this item was also moved up the agenda.

The Committee received the report of the Operations Manager regarding the costs of maintenance of recreation grounds in respect of the provision for football.

Members heard that the pitches at Burwell were well used, hence the lower subsidy however, this was having an effect on the quality of pitches due to the demand placed on it from the increasing number of teams that used the facility.

It was highlighted that the maintenance of the football pitches also provided benefits to all recreational ground users, including dog walkers and that the annual STRI review of the Council’s grass pitches would take place soon to support the work.

A Member noted the absence of the Leys Cricket pitch from the report, in response the Operations Manager confirmed that little was spent to maintain the cricket square as it was not and had not been in use for many years.

A Member was pleased to see that the Council was providing such quality of grass pitch provision for what was an overall subsidy of £34,240. Which in his opinion offered great value.

An issue that did arise during the discussion was that of unofficial training by football clubs who had been witnessed on a number of occasions using the recreational grounds without agreement. This impacted the recovery of pitches as they were not receiving the necessary rest and continued to be compacted from this off-season activity. Teams had been reminded recently of the need to book their use or make use of the alternative locations provided by the Council.

Cllr D Temple, seconded by Cllr R Crouch suggested that the Committee consider the introduction of a fee to cover the annual out of season training and make a recommendation to the Policy, Governance and Finance Committee during budget-setting.

Recommended:

1.      That, the report and verbal update be noted and,

2.      That, the Committee consider the introduction of an annual fee for out of season training.