Purpose

To install three new Artificial Cricket
Wickets and a two-lane Practice Net Facility at the following
cricket sites:

• A new Artificial Cricket Wicket in Cherry Lane Playing
Fields to be used by Eagles Cricket Club under a Temporary License
Agreement
• A new Artificial Cricket Wicket and two-Lane Practice Net
facility in Gainsborough Road Playing Fields to be used by Tilgate
Cricket Club under a Temporary License Agreement
• A new Artificial Cricket Wicket in West Green Park to be
managed by the Local Authority and used by local cricket clubs via
a booking system

England Cricket Board and Sussex Cricket have identified a
£53,635 funding package to be used to improve cricket
facilities in the borough. The council entered into a Strategic
Grants Funding Agreement with England and Wales Cricket Trust
(EWCT) in January 2024 to install non-turf pitches (x3) and a
non-turf practice facility located across three sites, with the
obligation to maintain and repair facilities for a period of 5
years. In February 2024, a procurement exemption form was approved
due to the specialised nature which only a limited number of
suppliers can meet, with the works to then be procured and managed
by the council. A contractor was appointed to carry out the work in
stages between June 2024 and May 2025.

Cherry Lane Playing Fields Temporary License Agreement: Eagles
Cricket Club to initially enter into a 3-year Temporary Licence
permitting use for the playing of cricket by the licensee,
designated hours between midday and 7:30pm on Saturdays; up to 18
games per year. The council will benefit from a licence fee of
£799.47 per annum. Additional fees and charges will apply for
ad-hoc bookings up to maximum of 12 additional games and or
training sessions per year. The licensee is obligated to maintain
the Artificial Wicket in line with the England Cricket Board
maintenance schedules for the duration of the Licence Period.

Gainsborough Road Playing Fields Temporary License Agreement:
Tilgate Cricket Club to initially enter into a 3-year Temporary
Licence permitting use for the playing of cricket by the licensee,
designated hours between midday and 7:30pm on Saturdays; up to 18
games per year on the artificial wicket. In addition, the licensee
is permitted to use the two-lane net facility at times agreed in
advance by the council, when the two-lane net facility is not being
used by the Licensee, it should be made available to the Licensor
on prior agreement between the parties. The council will benefit
from a licence fee of £1,598.94 per annum, increasing to
£2,398 per annum in year 2 for the remaining Licence Period.
Additional fees and charges will apply for ad-hoc bookings up to
maximum of 12 additional games and or training sessions per year.
The licensee is obligated to maintain both the Artificial Wicket
and Two-Lane Net Facility in line with the England Cricket Board
maintenance schedules for the duration of the Licence Period.

The enhanced cricket facilities installed across the three sites
will provide improved sporting facilities and increase cricket
provision within the borough given the high levels of demand and
current and future lack of capacity to meet these needs as
recommended within our local Playing Pitch Strategy (2020)

Content

To grant permission to enter into a Strategic
Grants Funding Agreement with England and Wales Cricket Trust
(EWCT), to approve the allocation of the new facilities at the
three cricket sites listed, and to approve an initial 3-year
temporary licence agreement with both Eagles and Tilgate Cricket
Clubs. This decision has been taken by the Head of Community
Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Leisure and
Wellbeing.

Alternative options considered

Not installing three new artificial wickets
and a 2-lane net facility would result in the ongoing displacement
of home games being played outside of Crawley due to a lack of
high-quality facilities within the borough, and the inability for
clubs to grow memberships to meet current and future demand. It
would also result in a loss of income to the council of
£2,398.41 per annum, increasing to £3,197.47 per annum
in year 2 for the remaining Licence Period.