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Record of Decision by Executive Member for
Service Performance and Improvement
28 April 2010 – Report xspi-100428-ir01-rwr
Portfolio:
Subject:
Report of:
Strategy/Policy: / Service, Performance and Improvement
Neighbourhood Initiatives Fund – Portchester Cricket Club
Director of Performance and Improvement and Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Community Engagement Strategy
Corporate Objective: / Strong and Inclusive Communities
Purpose:
The report presents an application for additional funding under the Council's Neighbourhood Initiative Funding Programme.
A proposal has been submitted by Charles Jordan, Chairman of Portchester Cricket Club for the restoration of cricket facilities to Portchester Castle by April 2011 as agreed by English Heritage on 26 October 2009. The sum requested is £2,350.
An initial plan and risk assessment are in place with detailed terms and conditions under discussion between the club and English Heritage to support a 5 year licence. There are no ownership, leasing or planning issues affected by the project. The main activity will be to renovate the square to standards set out by the England and Wales Cricket Board. A proposed outline timetable and costs have been drawn up. In summary there will be clearance, treatment, seeding and dressing in spring 2010, followed by ongoing renovation during the summer/autumn. Costs include treatment, materials, hire of equipment and labour/technical advice. The proposal covers the initial renovation of 4 pitches for club use with the option to extend to 8 pitches which would provide wider community use. The Club has four groundsmen trained in cricket pitch renovation and maintenance by the Institute of Groundsmanship and a proven track record of producing pitches and facilities to Hampshire League County Division 1 standard.
The outfield is of sufficient quality and only requires treatment (with selective) and regular cutting under current arrangements between English Heritage and FBC. The club will conduct any minor repairs. The club has made an agreement with the Parish Church and the Sea Scouts regarding the use of changing and tea facilities. There will be no permanent fixtures kept at the Castle.
Restoring cricket at the Castle would benefit current players and also potential young players and promote cricket to the wider local community. The proposal covers the initial renovation of 4 pitches for club use with the option to extend to 8 pitches which would provide wider community use. The facilities will provide for recreational cricket for the club’s third team which actively promotes participation of young people.
Under the agreement with English Heritage, access is restricted to Saturday games (1.00pm to 7.30pm) and ongoing access for renovation and maintenance work. Further negotiation on access would be required for wider community use. The club would be willing to sign up to a Community Use Agreement.
The first phase initially restores four pitches on the square in 2010-11 and then expands to eight pitches for wider community use. The cricket club has agreed a license arrangement with English Heritage covered by an annual fee. All one-off cricket pitches available to the wider community would be hired through English Heritage on a fee per match basis. Due to the unique nature of the location English Heritage have placed stringent requirements on how and when the pitch could be used which would need to be fulfilled by community hirers.
The estimated total cost of these works is £4,350.00 (comprising - Treatment £850, Materials £1,000, Equipment Hire £500, Labour/Technical Advice £2,000). Full costs have been supplied in support of this application. The outstanding amount required to carry out these works less FBC funding would be covered by the Cricket Club themselves and an application to Cllr Roger Price for £500 under the “County Councillor Devolved Budget Scheme”.

Options Considered:

As recommendation.

Decision:
That the application for £2,350 from Portchester Cricket Club towards the restoration of the cricket square be approved.

Reason for Decision:

The application meets the agreed Neighbourhood Initiatives Funding criteria for financial support for community capital projects.

Confirmed as a true record:
Date: 28 April 2010Councillor T M Cartwright
(Executive Member)

Note: this decision will come into force at the expiration of 7 working days from the date of publication subject to any review under the Council's 'call-in' provisions.

Civic Offices

Civic Way

Fareham

PO16 7PP

Contact: Richard Wright, Community Action Team Officer

E-mail (Tel: 01329 236100 ext 2392) x-100428-2009-10-233