Decision details

In accordance with Section 100(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chairman agreed to take this item as a late item of business in order to ensure that the proposed budget provision of £25,000 was included within the Revenue Budget proposals for 2022/23.

The Health Improvement & Community Relations Manager presented a report which sought approval to appoint an external consultant to deliver an updated Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) and Sport & Recreation Facilities Improvement Plan (S&RFIP) through the Sport England Active Environment Framework to ensure that the Council had up to date strategy documents.

The current PPS and S&RFIP had last been reviewed and refreshed in 2017 and 2019 respectively, but due to changes to the current sport and leisure landscape locally over the last 5 years, the strategies were no longer considered to be in accordance with Sport England advice and guidance.  It was noted that updated strategy document would provide a sound basis on which to develop policy and make informed decisions for sports development and investment in facilities.  Such an approach would assist the Council to meet the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework.  It would also provide a clear and strategic approach to future sports provision and investment together with providing an evidence base to support bids for external funding.

AGREED      (unanimously) that:

(a)     the Playing Pitch Strategy and Sport & Recreation Facilities Improvement Plans be reviewed and refreshed; and

(b)     a budget provision of £25k, to commission consultants to develop the strategies in association with the Council’s project team, be approved and added to the 2022/23 budget report to be approved at Full Council on 8 March 2022.

Reason for Recommendations

To ensure that the Council has current and accurate strategy documents that it could rely on as a robust evidence base of provision of sport and recreation facilities across the District.