Agenda item

Mr Mark Egerton, the Strategic Planning Manager and Mr Tony Ploszajski, the Consultant who produced the draft strategies, presented a report on the draft Sports Facilities and Playing Pitch Strategies.  It was noted that the Strategies would form part of the Council’s evidence base for the review of the Maidstone Borough Local Plan. 

The strategies assessed the quantity, quality, accessibility and availability of the Borough’s indoor and outdoor sports facilities and playing pitches.

In response to questions from Members, Mr Egerton and Mr Ploszajski advised that:-

·  Travel Times - Catchment times were assessed for different facilities, for example sports halls and swimming pools were 20 minutes driving time which is the nationally recognised catchment but for other facilities the driving time could be longer. 

·  There should be a comparison for walking (distance from home to the sports facility) as not everyone has a car. 

·  Football Pitches - Adult football was in decline but youth and mini soccer was in high demand.  This was complicated by the fact that the Council’s football pitches were maintained to an appropriate quality for recreational football but there were more well maintained pitches by Parish Councils outside of the town which some clubs preferred to use.  This was the reason why the use of Council pitches were falling. 

·  It was noted that the FA had stated that by next year they would like half of all youth and mini soccer matches to be played on 3G pitches which were better quality surfaces.

A 3G pitch would cost in the region of £0.75m and that re-surfacing needed to be undertaken on a 10 year basis which would cost around £200k.  However, a good return could be made on the hiring out of these pitches.

·  Sports Facilities - There were many School sites that had the appropriate facilities and opportunities to utilise these facilities where possible should be explored instead of building new facilities nearby.

There was a demand for an additional hockey pitch in the South Park area but not for a full pitch but the supply was elsewhere. 

Should a sports facility be privately owned then the Council would not be liable for any expenditure.

·  Facilities for running and cycling were not featured as these activities did not necessarily require dedicated facilities. 

·  Moving Forward - Consultation would be carried out with Councillors on facilities within their own Ward.

The Council needed to establish what its role was, a facilitator and/or a provider.

The Committee would be provided with a copy of the final report prior to its presentation to Strategic Planning, Sustainability & Transportation Committee on 8^th January 2018.

RESOLVED:

1)  That the strategies that form part of the Council’s evidence base be noted and the comments on the documents be referred to Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transportation Committee for consideration prior to re-engagement with key stakeholders and all Ward Councillors;

2)  That the Committee conduct an in-depth review of Sports Provision in the Borough once the new Leisure Officer has been appointed and the draft Sports Facilities and Playing Pitch Strategies have been finalised;

3)  That  the Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transportation Committee are recommended to expedite the consultation with Ward Councillors on the draft Sports Facilities and Playing Pitch Strategies;

4)  That the Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transportation Committee are recommended to consider the accessibility and affordability of facilities in the borough.

Voting:  For:  Unanimous