Decision

The Assistant Director of Property and
Investment has
approved in principle:

1. the granting of a new 25 year lease to Oldershaw Rugby Union
Football Club in respect of Belvidere Road Playing Fields at a
peppercorn rent, with the club being responsible for the repair and
maintenance of the pitches and pavilions; but subject to

2. Consideration and determination of any responses or objections
to the public notification of the intended lease of public open
space in accordance with Section 123 of the Local Government Act
1972

Reasons for the decision

Oldershaw Rugby Union Football Club currently
leases the land which accommodates its clubhouse from the Council
on a 25 year lease from 30 September 2015 at a rent of £200.
Per annum. In addition, the club has a licence to use two pitches
adjacent to the clubhouse for the same period and pays a license
fee of £1,032 per annum. The extent of the lease and licences
are shown shaded red on the plan in appendix 1.

Whilst the club is responsible for maintaining its clubhouse, the
Council maintains the two pitches. A recent pitch survey has
indicated that one of the pitches is in very poor condition and
also that the cost of bringing both pitches up to a good standard
would be in the region of £16,000.

The club has had some success with grant funding in the past and is
keen to take full control of the clubhouses and pitches in order to
invest in and improve the facility.

As well as the rugby clubhouse and two pitches, the site also
includes a third pitch and changing pavilion which is operated by
Parks primarily for football use. The pavilion is in poor order and
presents a maintenance liability to the Council.

The club has provisionally agreed to take on the whole facility
which is shown edged blue on the plan in appendix 1, on a 25 year
lease at a peppercorn rent, with the club being responsible for the
repair and maintenance of the pitches and pavilions.

This would result in the loss of £1,232 per annum. But will
divest the Council of a potentially significant liability in
relation to the maintenance of the pavilion and ongoing maintenance
of the pitches.

The playing fields are open to public access and is used for
recreation other than for sports. Whilst the club is keen to retain
wide public use of the space it will be held by them on as lease so
public use will be at their discretion. A disposal by lease of open
space will require notices being placed in the local newspapers and
will invite objection. Subject to no substantive objections being
received, it is proposed that the new lease is put in place.

A decision in principle is required, and a further decision will be
required to decide whether to proceed with the lease once
notification of the intended disposal has taken place and
consideration is given to any representations made.

Alternative options considered

The Council could refuse to grant a new lease,
but it would retain what could potentially be a significant
liability.