Agenda item

USE OF LAND FOR SPORTING FACILITIES

To receive a report from the Executive Member for Culture and Leisure.

Minutes:

The Chair read out the questions received from the public. The Executive Member for Culture and Leisure provided a brief response at the meeting and confirmed that a more detailed response would be submitted to the Committee and the Members of the public via email.

 

Councillor Dagnall asked a follow up question as to whether fencing off the land would require both an agreement from the landowner and planning permission. The Executive Member for Culture and Leisure confirmed that both were needed and could be acquired in either order, although it was expected that people would ask permission of the landowner first.

Councillor Butt asked who was responsible for maintaining the Land. The Executive Member for Culture and leisure responded that it was the lease holder who was responsible for maintaining the land.

 

After the questions from the Public the Executive Member asked the Committee if they had any questions relating to the report circulated with the agenda.

 

Councillor Thompson noted the car parking support provided by Trafford leisure and asked if it was a named position. The Executive Member for Culture and Leisure introduced the Head of Leisure informed the Committee that the Football Development Officer linked in with all the clubs in the area and worked with them in organising the use of land and facilities in the area, including car parking.

 

Councillor Carter asked how frequently the agreements with clubs were reviewed and if the outcomes were made public. The Executive Member for Culture and Leisure responded that clubs needed to consult with the public regularly. The Head of Leisure added that there was thorough decision-making process in place to ensure that the right clubs were brought in for those leases in line with the community use agreement. Councillor Carter noted that the response showed that the agreements with the clubs were reached through a robust process but wanted to know what happened afterwards. The Executive Member for Culture and Leisure responded that the Council were developing a robust monitoring process to ensure that the clubs met the terms they agreed to.

 

The Vice Chair asked about the Manor Avenue playing field where a team from outside of Trafford played and caused issues with the amount of traffic it brought to the area. The Vice Chair had made attempts to contact leisure services about this issue but had not been able to make any progress. The Executive Member for Culture and Leisure assured the Vice Chair that she would address this issue.

 

Councillor Dagnall asked how many people benefited from the casual use of public areas of land and whether the Council promoted casual use. The Executive Member for Culture and Leisure responded that it was to quantify casual use of land by the public. But the Council did promote the casual use of land by the public and the Executive Member for Culture and Leisure explained the Councils approach to promoting activity and discouraging inactivity, which was broader than organised sporting activity.

 

RESOLVED:

1)    That the questions from the Public be noted.

2)    That written answers to the questions be circulated to the Committee and the Members of the Public.

3)    That the report be noted.

Supporting documents: