A maximum of 15 minutes will be allocated to public questions submitted in writing to Democratic Services (democratic.services@trafford.gov.uk) by 4 p.m. on the working day prior to the meeting. Questions must be relevant to items appearing on the agenda and will be submitted in the order in which they were received.

The Leader asked the following question submitted to the Committee in writing on behalf of Mr Gould, who was unable to attend in person:

“The Friends of Trafford’s Parks and Green Spaces, a group representing ‘Friends’ groups across Trafford, would like to question the recommendation to proceed with the Tennis Investment Program option c and outsource Trafford’s tennis facilities to the Lawn Tennis Association.

The ‘Friends’ groups associated with the individual parks identified for inclusion in the program have been contacted for their opinions. We understand that almost all of the groups were against the proposal to select option c as it stands.

We do have real concerns that any consultation carried out up until now has not reached the key stakeholders i.e. those who would most often use Trafford’s tennis courts in a formal or casual way. We offered to help the program to gather opinions from Trafford’s tennis players via our social media and other avenues and thus help guide the Executive decision. This offer was not taken up. We strongly believe that option c should not be selected without much wider consultation with the users of Trafford’s tennis spaces. Can we ask that this change to tennis provision in Trafford is extensively consulted on before a decision is made.”

The Executive Member for Culture, Leisure, and Strategic Partnerships gave the following response:

“The outcome of the Tennis Investment Project is to ensure parks tennis courts are secured for future use. There is no transfer of ownership proposed as part of the Tennis Investment Project.

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) are offering funding to Trafford Council to improve tennis facilities in Trafford, this funding has a number of conditions, which include the installation of access gates, a sustainable operating model, secured free provision and the development of a secure sinking fund, these elements have been shown to increase usage, maintenance and sustainability in similar projects.

The feedback of the meetings held with Friends of Groups, has been shared with me of those only two have expressed their outright opposition to all elements of the proposal.

The council will engage in a full consultation on this project in the next phase. As part of the briefing offered to Friends of Groups, the phasing of the project was set out, which indicated that consultation would happen and was key part of the project. Once approval to consult has been obtained we would welcome support from stakeholders to promote engagement in this process.”

The Leader then invited Hanna Spencer to ask the questions she had submitted to the Committee in writing. Hanna proceeded to read out the following questions and the Executive Member for Culture, Leisure, and Strategic Partnerships provided the responses detailed below.

1.    Why haven’t local groups (including Friends groups) been properly consulted on the proposed charging? As far as I understand more information has been sought from you but not provided.

All the affected parks have been engaged with and have provided information on the proposals being discussed, and their views fed back. A full public consultation on charging will be undertaken as part of the next phase of the project. Friends of Groups will continue to be engaged with across the different phases of the project.

2.    Will it be free to use at weekends?

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), as part of their funding proposal, will require the council to provide some free use at weekends. The council will also be seeking to expand its Tennis for Free program and provide outreach via an operator, which will likely be free or heavily subsidised.

3.    What will happen to the other activities that are within the court e.g. the basketball/junior layouts? 

The funding provided, if accepted, is specifically to safeguard tennis courts. In this instance courts will be segregated from other activities, so they remain accessible.

4.    Is this allowed within the conditions of the park being left for the public, including the public now needing to pay to play sports? 

Yes, the proposals within the report are allowed within the conditions of the park being left for the public.

5.    What implications will this have in relation to the park being Grade II listed? Have the appropriate Listing bodies been consulted?

The proposed scheme does not have an impact on the parks listed status.

6.    Does this now mean an end to free tennis for the general public at locations across Trafford, including Stamford Park?

No this will not mean an end to free tennis for the public within Trafford. While free access will be reduced the council is seeking to develop a program of use for each site which maintains some free access. The actual amount will be dependent upon the site and number of courts. As stated in response to question 2 The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), as part of their funding proposal, will also require the council to provide some free use at weekends.