Purpose

See attached ODR for details

Content

1. To approve the sign off and renewal of the
grant agreement with Doncaster and District Bowling Association
(DDBA). The grant agreement term will be from 1 April 2025 until 31
March 2028.

2. To fund payment by the council to DDBA of £4,172:25 per
green annually.

By using this type of community model for delivery, this enables
the alternative delivery of management and maintenance of the
16-borough wide bowling greens. The financial model supporting this
agreement over a 3 year period at the same time continuing to
deliver substantial cost savings to CDC.

DDBA will arrange their own local supplier or enable user groups to
take on the upkeep and running of the greens, in accordance with
the maintenance specification.

Alternative options considered

Do not renew the grant agreement and carry out
the maintenance work in-house – this would cost substantially
more and was a budget saving 8 years ago. There are no longer staff
with the correct skills nor the specialist equipment within the
service. The service was heavily subsidised prior to the
sponsorship agreement, costings today would require £141,500k
annually compared to £4k income from bowling clubs season
fees.

Use an alternative service provider – the procurement process
would not deliver the same level of savings derived from the grant
agreement in partnership with DDBA. The cost to provide the service
would be more likely to be in the region of £140k, a
significant and substantial increase on the current
agreement.

Do nothing – the existing agreement comes to an end and
maintenance of the greens ceases. This would lead to a loss of
amenity within parks and Miners Welfare grounds and potential
reputational damage to the council.

Renew the grant agreement but do not increase the funding to cover
costs – the greens would decline as the funding was spread
thinner and rising costs in materials continued. This would
eventually lead to a loss of amenity with parks and Miners Welfare
grounds.