Decision details

The Cabinet had before it a * report of the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration seeking approval for officers to prepare a Playing Pitch Strategy for Mid Devon, using external consultants support where necessary.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration outlined the contents of the report stating that a new strategy was required for Mid Devon which was consistent with Sport England guidance.  A Playing Fields Strategy had been published in 2010 and an Open Space and Play Area Strategy published in 2014; there was now a need for updated evidence and information specifically on the supply of and demand for playing pitches across the Mid Devon District to meet the sporting needs of local communities.  The new strategy would become part of an evidence base which would be used to inform future strategic plan-making for the district and help shape masterplanning for the Culm Garden Village.  It was proposed that the project team would include an external consultant and that the project management would be provided by officers also that the Council had sought to reduce the cost of preparing the strategy by carrying out as much of the initial data gathering as possible in house.  Throughout the process the work would be overseen by the project steering group.

The Forward Planning Team Leader explained the amount of work that was required to form the strategy and the work that was proposed to take place in house.  Recent engagement had taken place with the Football Association to progress a local football facilities plan for Mid Devon which would assist with the strategy and be used to guide investment decisions.

Consideration was given to:

·         The cost of the proposed work would depend on the amount of work required by the consultant

·         Whether the remit of sports proposed for inclusion in the strategy could be expanded to include other sports

·         The involvement of clubs affected by the proposed relief road in Cullompton to be given additional support

·         The funding would come from ear marked reserves held for plan making and the strategy would inform the early stage of the next Local Plan Review

·         The amount of officer time required to aid the consultant

RESOLVED that the preparation of a Playing Pitch Strategy for Mid Devon and the use of an external consultant support to help the preparation of the strategy be approved.

(Proposed by Cllr G Barnell and seconded by Cllr D J Knowles)

Note:  *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.