Purpose

Decide if the Kick pitch can have a change of
use to extra car park for the Centre and it's users

Content

The Cabinet considered
a report of the Director of Economy and Place / Cabinet Members for
Communities and Cooperation and Climate Change and Environment
which sought approval in principle of the change of use of the kick
pitch at the Burnside Community Centre from recreational sport area
to parking provision.
 
The Contract and
Commercial Unit Manager was in attendance to present the
information and to answer the questions of the Cabinet Members.
 
The pitch was not
recognised for formal sport and public notices posted at the site
generated no feedback from user groups. The kick pitch was already
beyond the 15 years expected lifespan for this type of
facility.
 
The maintenance costs
for repairs in 2023 was £7500. There was no budget for the
kick pitches and this was funded out of the play area maintenance
budget.
 
Part of the site was
owned by Manchester City Council and a covenant was in place on
this area of the site.
 
Rochdale Borough
Council’s Estates and Legal team were in the process of
negotiating the removal of the above fore mentioned covenant and no
change of use would take place until that process was
concluded.
 
A grant application
had been submitted for an upgraded kick pitch through the football
foundation within the Township at King George 5th playing
fields.
 
Resolved:
1.   
That the change of use of the current kick pitch at the Burnside
Community Centre from recreational sport area to parking provision
be approved in principle;
2.   
That the Director of Economy and Place be given delegated
authority, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution, to
undertake the legal negotiation with Manchester City Council for
the removal of the covenant that exists on part of the area in
question;
3.   
That the Assistant Director Legal, Governance and Coroners be given
delegated authority to execute the relevant legal agreements
necessary to give effect to this decision and to ensure the
delivery of this project in accordance with the Council’s
Constitution.
 
Reason for
decision:
The current parking
provision at Burnside Community Centre is for only five cars of
which only one is for disabled users. The centre runs various
events and drop in opportunities and parking is an issue in the
area.
The current kick pitch
is at end of life and would need major investment to bring back to
standard
 
The Anti-Social
Behaviour (ASB) at the site is increasing and the police note the
site as a hot spot for ASB.
Burnside Community
Centre has a log of the ASB incidents which is included in the
appendices to the report.
A public consultation
by posting at the sites had no returns for any users groups. The
site is not a recognised sports site under the Playing Pitch &
Outdoor Sports Strategy and is not used for formal sport.
 
Alternatives
considered and rejected:
Leaving the status quo
and the kick pitch in its current condition.
Looking for budget to
improve the current facilities which would be in the region of
£30,000.00.