Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Visitor Economy presented the report of the Director: Prosperity & Investment.

The Council had a commitment to meet the sporting needs of the community in Telford across a range of sports. This report sought approval to assist Telford Hockey club to replace their aging all-weather surface on their dedicated hockey pitch at St Georges Recreational Ground.

Telford Hockey Club had secured £68,811 of their own funding (include fundraising), and gained a National Hockey Foundation grant of £50,000 (which was time limited), in addition to identified S106 contributions; however, there remained a shortfall. The Hockey Club sought financial assistance from the Council by way of a loan agreement for up to £50,000, to be repaid over a 25-year period in order to address the matter, providing a safe pitch that met the identified needs of the Borough.

The new pitch would allow the provision of the sport to continue and provide increased potential for the development of sport in the Borough.

The loan was made on the proviso that the hockey club give up its pitch at the Town Park, which they had rented to the rugby club.

Members expressed their support for the report and their hope that the new facilities would engage young people and encourage people to stay active. It was seen as an opportunity to develop the sporting culture of the town and provide a source of community pride.

The Leader of the Conservative Group queried the terms of the provision of 100 hours free hire and 100 hours of subsidised coaching.

The Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Visitor Economy clarified that both would be provided over the full 25-year term of the loan.

RESOLVED that –

i.          A financial loan agreement to provide Telford Hockey Club up to £50,000 to be repaid over a maximum of 25 years to meet the shortfall in funding, to enable the resurfacing of the hockey  pitch be approved; 

ii.         Delegated authority be granted to the Director: Finance and HR to agree the terms of the loan agreement in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance & Governance; and

iii.        Delegated authority be granted to the Associate Director: Policy & Governance to execute all legal and other documentation and undertake all procedural steps necessary to enable completion of the loan and its repayment.