The report considers a request by Brentwood Youth AFC to provide the club with long term tenure at Larkin’s Playing Fields, subject to the relevant planning permission being granted and subject to contract with Brentwood Borough Council. In order that Brentwood Youth AFC can secure external funding to improve facilities at Larkin’s Plying Fields, external funders such as the Football Association require a commitment from the landowner (Brentwood Borough Council) that will support their improvement plans and provide the club with long-term tenure at Larkin’s Playing Fields. It is proposed that the attached letter of intent will be sufficient evidence of the Council’s commitment to support improvement to the whole site. As this relates to one of the Council’s Assets it is recommended that the report is also referred to Policy, Projects and Resources Committee for their consideration.

A summary outline of the report was given to Members by Mrs Anderson.

Cllr Mrs Davies, requested that parking and the use of the open space still be accessible to the general public.

Cllr Hossack MOVED and Cllr Mrs Vicky Davies SECONDED the recommendations and following a full discussion a vote was taken by a show of hands and it was

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY

1.    That Members agree to the proposed letter of intent to Brentwood Youth AFC.

2.    This report is referred to the Council’s Policy, Projects and Resources Committee on 12 March for their consideration. 

Reasons for Recommendation

The Council’s Draft Leisure Strategy was also before Members tonight and some of the key recommendations within the Strategy is the improvement to leisure facilities across the Borough and working in partnership to deliver the expected outcomes from the Strategy. Comments received from Sport England as part of the Local Development Plan consultation, stated that a Leisure Strategy is required that assesses Council owned sports and leisure facilities in order that the Council can continue to work with partners to ensure that appropriate provision is made for the residents of Brentwood. The strategy should not only consider how the Council can provide services, but also how other partners can. The strategy should also use current sports facility evidence to identify strategic priorities to then inform what will be included in the Council’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan. Following this feasibility work, the Council will then be able to determine which projects will be funded by the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and those funded by planning obligations.

The Council’s Asset Management Strategy 2014/15 also sets out the need to obtain maximise income where possible from its asset portfolio.