Decision details

The Head of Leisure Services considered the grant documentation supplied by Sport England and following a discussion and delegation of authority from the Corporate Director lead for this function RESOLVED to:

Accept the grant from Sport England and take the two strategy projects forwards.

FDC has a 2016 playing pitch strategy and a 2016 built sports facility strategy.  Both strategies require updating. 

Updated strategies will allow local sports clubs, as well as the Council, to bid more effectively for grant funding. 

The strategies highlight need within the district and therefore are likely to ensure support for bids where need is demonstrated within the strategies.

The value of the grant is £25,000. The grant must be spent as match funding to support the development of a built facilities strategy and a playing pitch strategy.

The supportive funding grant reduces the costs of producing these documents that will support sports clubs and the Council in providing sports facilities for residents over the coming decade. 

If a Local plan is also developed, these documents are necessary to support such work.

The strategies will also ensure that any future unitary authority is clear regarding the needs of the current Fenland area, when planning investment within the next decade.

The alternative option is to not produce the strategies and reject the grant support from Sport England.