Agenda item

            The Committee considered the following report:-

“1.0   Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

         The purpose of this report is to inform Committee of proposals to begin a process to regularise management arrangements at a number of sites across the city.  The sites in question are at:

·        Clarendon Playing  Fields

·        Hammer open Space

·        Willowbank.

2.0    Recommendations

         It is recommended that the Committee agree to:

1.      Extend the current facilities management arrangements at Clarendon Playing Fields on a month by month basis pending a further review of the arrangement at this site;

2.      Review the existing facilities management at Hammer Open Space which relates to the existing pavilion;

3.      Review the terms and conditions of the existing agreement relating to the Willowbank Complex to deal with the addition of the new 3G mini pitch.

3.0   Main report

         The Committee is asked to note that the Council has a variety of arrangements in place with local community sports groups relating to the management of some of its assets; these arrangements have been in place for some time, in some cases these will be facilities management agreements, which we are in the process of phasing out, others will be lease arrangements.  Three agreements currently stand out as requiring attention to regularise and consolidate the management arrangement. 

         Clarendon Playing Fields

         Clarendon Playing Fields is currently managed by the Clarendon Development Association as a facilities management agreement; this agreement was put in place on foot of external funding; however, the agreement is scheduled to terminate at the end of October 2015.  Discussions are ongoing to review the existing arrangement which has worked satisfactorily over the years; the discussions are looking at potential Council and external investment in the site; we have planning permission for a mini artificial turf pitch to be constructed and the project is currently placed on the capital programme without commitment.

         It is proposed that the agreement be continued on a month by month until such time as a decision is taken into relation to future investment.

         Hammer Open Space

         This was previously managed through a facilities management agreement which included a natural turf pitch and a portion of an adjacent pavilion which was used for changing.  A further portion of the pavilion was managed through Community Services. 

         In 2010 it was agreed that the facilities management agreement of the pavilion be extended to include the whole of the building which would enable the club to provide hospitality for matches. 

         In 2012 the football club, Shankill FC secured external funding from Sport NI to construct an artificial turf pitch to replace the existing natural turf; this work was completed and the club was granted a 10 year lease by the Council to comply with the terms and conditions of the funding.  Since approximately July 2013 there have been different legal agreements in place regarding the assets.

         Willowbank Park

         The Council currently manages this asset through the Willowbank Sports Club on the basis of a facilities management agreement; this was commenced in March 2008 for a period of up to 20 years subject to a review every 5 years.  In 2014 the surface of the facility was altered from polymeric to 3G, it is accepted that a review point was due during the development.   Given that the nature of the asset has altered it is our intention to review the agreement to take account of the enhancement to this facility.

         Financial & Resource Implications

         The financial implications will be established as part of the review process.

         Equality or Good Relations Implications

         There are no equality or good relation implications.”

            The Committee agreed to the recommendations as outlined in the report.