Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest stated.

Resolved:                         That the minutes of the meeting held on 20

November, 2014 be agreed as a correct record.

Members received a presentation from the Council’s Head of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Rob Foster.

A copy of the presentation had been received by Members of the Supplementary Agenda and a copy of the Strategy and Assessment Report had also been received.

A report would be going to the Cabinet in June with a recommendation that the Playing Pitch Strategy be adopted.

The Strategy provides a clear framework for the maintenance and improvement of existing sports pitches and ancillary facilities up to 2020.  It identifies where there are shortfalls of pitches, where there is spare capacity and where improvements need to be made.

Members thanked the officers for the work that they had put into the Strategy.  A question was asked as to the position in a year’s time.  The Head of Leisure and Cultural Services responded, stating that a lot of aspirations would have been progressed with and that the Council would continue to work with local clubs. 

It was pointed out that there was a typing error in the Strategy on Page 49. Knype Way was listed with the aim ‘enhance’ when it was actually listed for disposal.

The Chair pointed out that if the Council improved School pitches which then became Academy’s, there should be a written agreement stating that the pitch must be available for use by the community.  The Executive Director for Operations stated that it was unlikely that the Council would fund facilities on school sites.  However, if Sport England were to give a grant to the School, they would impose conditions on it.

The Chair brought Members’ attention to page 18 of the Strategy stating that some contributions may need to be ring-fenced.  He agreed that this should be the case.

Members agreed with all of the recommendations contained within the Strategy.   

Resolved:        (i)    That it be recommended that the Cabinet approve the

Newcastle-under-Lyme Playing Pitch Strategy 2015-2020 (PPS) which will be the basis for making strategic decisions on  future playing pitch provision and associated facilities across the Borough.

(ii)   That a review of the PPS be carried out by the Steering Group on an annual basis and that any significant changes be reported to Cabinet, to ensure that identified local priorities continue to be achieved.

To discuss and update the work plans to reflect current scrutiny topics.

Annual Work Plan

To receive the outcomes and recommendations of the topics reported during the past twelve months.

Consideration was given to the Work Plan which reflected current scrutiny topics and the Annual Work Plan which looked at outcomes and recommendations of topics reported during the past year.

Resolved:               That the Work Plan and Annual Work Plan be received.

Any member of the public wishing to submit a question must serve two clear days’ notice, in writing, of any such question to the Borough Council.

There were no public questions.

The Chair thanked the Members and Officers for all of their hard work during the past year.  Members, in turn, thanked the Chair for all of his hard work.

Resolved:               That the comments be noted.