Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Cllr Cairns and Cllr Mrs Rout.

There were no declarations of interest received.

To consider the golf development and course grounds maintenance aspects of the tender process undertaken.

The Executive Director, Operational Services introduced the report for Keele Golf Course and gave an overview of the process to procure a new tenant to manage, develop and maintain the facility. It had been an important priority that the company who took on the lease developed the course and rebuilt the strong reputation it had previously enjoyed.

The Head of Cultural and Leisure Services explained the golf management aspects of the process and the evaluation process. The invitation to bid stage had included the Heads of Terms, in order to inform the prospective bidders of the Councils principle requirements for the lease. There were time pressures to let the lease, and early agreement of the Heads of Terms from the two invited bidders was an important element to ensuring an expedient start to the new management arrangements.   

Following a condition assessment by officers, a Schedule of Works detailed the work that was required to the buildings and illustrated that they had fallen into disrepair in a number of areas. The Schedule of Works would also bring the course back up to a good standard and also ensured that the bidders were clear as to the works and standards the Council expected. It was necessary to ensure that the facilities were brought back up to a minimum standard in a reasonable timescale to prevent any further deterioration.

With regard to operational management, in particular the grounds maintenance and golf management aspects, the focus was to ensure the course could become a place where golf was developing and growing. Golf Association members had reduced in recent years, having decreased at its lowest point to around forty members, although it was noted it had now increased to fifty members. Officers emphasised the importance of the Golf Association and including them in the journey to improve the course. It was also important to keep the Association informed of developments and the Head of Operations had met with them to this end. Another priority was that the course should be maintained as a pay and play course and younger players encouraged to take up the sport. The Operational Management Schedule asked the interested parties to address these issues and include in their bids how they would develop, teach, and encourage more people to take up of golf, and to also link in with education in schools.

In developing golf at the course it was important to ensure the course itself was at a high standard, as more people would play if it was in good condition. Both of the submissions received had addressed these important issues. The Head of Operations explained the elements of the process which focused on the improvement of the course. The course had required attention and a report from the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) had been commissioned to provide a condition assessment for the course. This was a detailed report by an expert in the field of sports surfaces. Whilst there was no quick fix to bring the course up  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

There was no urgent business within the meaning of Section 100 B (4) of the Local Government Act 1972.