The Head of Legal and Regulatory Services submitted a report, the purpose of which was to present to Members the feedback from the previous meeting of Subject Overview and Scrutiny Committee 3 for discussion, approval and actioning, and to place these in RAG status order in terms of the completion of any follow-up action.

RESOLVED:             That the Committee considered the attached feedback and Officer’s responses as shown at Appendix A to the report and allocated RAG status as follows, to the work areas so stated:

Members noted in section 7.5.2.1 of the consultation, the high percentage of general recreation users of the council's playing fields and/or pavilions.  Members raised concerns that a club taking over a facility could chose to fence off this facility, excluding the general public.  How will this work in the future if public open space is fenced off - Green

The consultation indicated a high percentage in support of play areas being maintained by town and community councils, but unfortunately, the question did not state that this could end up with the local council tax precept being increased to cover the cost of maintenance. Hence it is not clear how valid this support would be if the question had been more fully explained - Green

There was general support for the proposed reduction in frequency of grass cutting in certain areas where appropriate, but it was pointed out that just leaving some areas uncut is not a substitute for managing reduced cutting to enhance biodiversity - Red

A member queried whether play areas would be refurbished or upgraded before being handed over to a Town or Community Council - Green

Concern was expressed as to how standards of maintenance are going to be monitored in the future if there are a range of organisations maintaining sites to varying standards. There is a danger of the asset gradually deteriorating due to limited or poor / uncoordinated maintenance and hence the facility may be lost to the community and future generations. What safeguards are in place to prevent this and how is this going to work with reduced staff and resources at BCBC - Green

Members suggested the option of a collective services being purchased back from BCBC for the maintenance of play areas could be raised on a future TCC agenda.  It was noted that TCC's wold not have the qualified  staff to undertake the regular inspections and maintenance - Green

Members noted that the annual audit and independent inspection that needs to be undertaken on all play areas every 12 months, would be more cost effective if co-ordinated by BCBC with the appropriate re-charge being made to the town or community council - Green

Concern was expressed that the direction of travel within the report was geared towards meeting the MTFS, whereas this is not truly compatible with the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act - Green

Concern was expressed that the report is geared towards removing the subsidy that currently exists for the use of sports pitches, but it was pointed out that there are other non-statutory services operating that have a subsidy level (e.g. Leisure Centres, Arts & Culture) and are these also being looked at in the same way - Red

Members asked for legal clarification on whether dogs could be banned, if a Town or Community Council took over the running of a Children's Playground. What is the position with PSPO’s being implemented on both play areas and sports pitches - Red

Members asked for clarification that if a club either does not want to or is unable to take over a facility, or unable to afford the revised charges, will that facility will ultimately close - Green

Members noted the scale of charges in Appendix E, but asked for a more detailed breakdown of costs.  There needs to be the annual maintenance cost shown for sports pitches. There was also some confusion as to what happens when more than one club share use of a pitch – do they both pay the full fee as in the example given by Cllr.D. Lewis it could end up with a bill of around £40,000 for two pitches with several teams which is more than the actual maintenance cost - Red

It was also noted that the comparison between Sports Pitches (Cricket) in 2019 and 2020 showed a unit cost and then an annual amount, and sought further information on costs in order to have a comparative cost from one year to the next - Green