Agenda item

To consider Report No. OS2314 (copy attached), which sets out the Lawn Tennis Association’s (LTA) programme of investment into public tennis courts in parks.

The Cabinet considered Report No. OS2314, which set out the Lawn Tennis Association’s (LTA) programme of investment into public tennis courts in parks.

In introducing the Report and the LTA’s proposals, the Operational Services Portfolio Holder informed the Cabinet that a representation had been received from Cllr Calum Stewart that had not been included in the Report or appendices. Cllr Stewart had raised concerns over the affordability, particularly to families, of the proposed charging structure. The Portfolio Holder also referred to photographs he had taken on Friday, 13th October to show the current condition of the tennis courts at Cove Green, Rectory Road and Manor Park. These photographs were now published on the Council’s website.

Members were informed that the proposed agreement would result in the LTA funding renovation works to the value of £114,043 across the tennis courts at the above three sites. The scheme would involve the Council appointing an operator to run the booking system and other administration regarding the courts. Any surplus from the fees collected would be held in a sinking fund for the future maintenance of the tennis courts. The Report contained the full details of the LTA’s proposals. In discussing the proposals, Members expressed concern that the fees should be set at as low as possible, whilst still making the scheme and the future maintenance of the courts viable. It that respect, it was decided to delegate the finalisation of the charging structure to the Executive Head of Operations, in consultation with the Operational Services Portfolio Holder.

The Cabinet expressed strong support for the scheme and considered that this would provide residents with excellent facilities for playing tennis.

The Cabinet

(i)           RESOLVED that:

(a)          the LTA investment to renovate tennis courts at Manor Park, Cove Green Recreation Ground and Rectory Road Recreation Ground, in accordance with its investment in public tennis courts in parks scheme, as set out in Report No. OS2314, be approved;

(b)          the Executive Head of Operations, in consultation with the Corporate Manager – Legal and the Executive Head of Finance, be authorised to enter into the necessary funding agreement with the LTA to facilitate the grant award;

(c)          the appointment of an operator to run the booking system, administration of the parks’ tennis courts and an outreach programme, at no cost to the Council, as set out in the Report, be approved;

(d)          the Executive Head of Operations, in consultation with the Operational Services Portfolio Holder, be authorised to research and implement an appropriate charging structure for the use of the parks’ tennis courts, considering the comments made during the meeting in relation to the level of charges;

(e)          the use of Section 106 funding to replace the fencing across all three sites, as set out in the Report, be approved; and

  (ii)        RECOMMENDED TO THE COUNCIL that approval be given to the addition of £216,500 into the Capital Programme for 2023/24, funded from a combination of LTA grant and Section 106 contributions, as identified in paragraph 4.7 of Report No. OS2314.