Issue - meetings

To present the Final Report of the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field Task Group (report of the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field Task Group enclosed).

The final report of the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field Task Group was presented by Councillor P Redgate.

DECISION:

That the recommendations of the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field Task Group be supported.

To present the Task Group’s Final Report to the Panel for consideration (report of the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field Task Group enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field Task Group which presented the Task Group’s Final Report to the Panel for approval.

The report was introduced by Councillor Paul Redgate, a member of the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field Task Group, as the Chair of the Task Group, Simon Walsh, was no longer a Councillor. He thanked Councillors Walsh, Brewis and Wilkinson for their work on the Task Group.

The following key points of the report were highlighted:

• The Task Group was reconvened to look at the lighting and lease elements taking into consideration funding requirements for the site.
• The report considered the views of every witness interviewed, the legal position in regard to the deeds and how to get the best value for the site going forward.
• It was recommended that the Council should seek a suitable tenant for Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field and that a lease for at least 7+ years be agreed with a fully ratified contract which stated the tenant must comply with the terms of use as set out in the 1951 deeds.
• The recommendation would keep the facility open to the community at set times and a lease would help with future funding and grants.
• It was noted that the opportunity was there for anyone to come forward and submit a proposal to run the facility.
• The recommendation would also help to safeguard the site for Spalding residents for the future.

Members considered the report and made the following comments:

• Members noted that the successful party needed to demonstrate the delivery of the charitable status of the site.

• Members were encouraged by the recommendation and felt that it would be an opportunity to solve some of the challenges the Council’s had previously faced with the facility.

The Chairman thanked the Task Group for their work and hoped that the way forward may overcome some of the previous difficulties.

AGREED:

That the Final Report of the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field Task Group be approved by the Panel for consideration by Full Council.