Issue - meetings

Purpose of report

To consider a request from the Deeping Sports and Social Club for a contribution of £200k to support a bid to the Football Foundation to provide a 3G pitch in the Deepings.

Decision

Cabinet agreed to:

1. Approve the allocation of £200k to support a funding application by Deeping Sports and Social Club to the Football Foundation to provide a 3G pitch in the Deepings.

2. Approve the funding of the £200k from the following reserves:

• Leisure and Community Reserve £100k;

• Local Priorities Reserve £100k

3. Confirm the funding allocation is subject to the following conditions:

• confirmation of sufficient funding from other sources to meet the total project costs

• a successful application to the Football Foundation

• an agreed programme of use with a fair and balanced allocation of hours to both Deeping Rangers and Deeping United football clubs.

4. Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and s151 Officer, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, to authorise the release of funds when the above criteria have been met.

Other options considered

Cabinet could have decided not to support the request for a funding contribution. This would have put the project at risk because it would have been very difficult for Deeping Sports and Social Club to secure the necessary matched funding from other sponsorship and funding raising activity.

Reasons for the decision

The Council received a request from Deeping Sports and Social Club for £200k matched funding to support an application to the Football Foundation to provide a 3G pitch. The Deepings had been identified as the priority area for a pitch to be developed in South Kesteven.

There were a significant number of teams which required training facilities within the Deepings area. The Football Foundation and the Lincs FA had identified that it was key for both Deeping Rangers and Deeping United to benefit from any investment. Consequently, it was recommended that any contribution by the Council to the matched funding required was conditional on both Deeping Rangers and Deeping United securing an appropriate amount of time on the programme of use. Evidence of this should be required prior to the release of funding.

During discussions, Members commented on the following:

-       Members welcomed the focus given to the Deepings in this matter and a Member expressed their ambition for a second 3G pitch to be secured in the future.

-       The Leader urged collaborative working between Deeping Rangers and Deeping United to secure the application and noted the positive effect that the 3G facility would have on the personal character, confidence and social development of the individuals who would use the facility.