Warley Playing Fields is one of the Council’s key open spaces and the main site serving the Warley ward and surrounding community.

The playing field is unique in that it is owned by three different bodies, one area is owned by Brentwood Borough Council, one by Essex County Council and one by Brentwood County High School, as shown an appendix to the main report.

The site is managed and maintained by the Council under the terms of a Joint User Agreement which was signed in 1998, in it the document laid out the responsibilities of each partner and also the financial responsibilities of each,

as shown was as an appendix to the main report.

This document replaced several earlier versions between Brentwood Borough Council, Brentwood County High School and Essex County Council with original agreements going back as far as 1977.

A number of changes have occurred since the document was agreed with one of these being the establishment of Mavericks Rugby Football Club at the site as their home ground.

The Council has been approached by representatives of Brentwood County High School and Mavericks Rugby Football Club with regard to removing the now defunct RedGra area from the agreement so that Mavericks Rugby Football Club may develop the area into an all-weather pitch.

It is intended to also have associated fencing and floodlights for use by the

school, club and also local community groups.

Cllr Mrs Hubbard, Ward Member.  Fully in support of a new Joint User agreement, however expressed concerns over the two derelict garages adjacent to the site and the floodlights near neighbouring property.  Cllr Hubbard to liaise with Mr Anderson on her concerns.

Cllr Mrs McKinlay  MOVED  and Cllr Hossack  SECONDED  the recommendations in the report and following a full discussion a vote was taken on a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY.

1.         That members approve the withdrawal of the RedGra area from the current Joint Use Agreement for Warley Playing Fields in order for the site to be developed by Mavericks RFC as a community facility.

2.         That the above recommendation be agreed under the proviso that Officers from Brentwood County High School enter into active dialogue with Officers of Brentwood Borough Council to draft a new Joint User Agreement for Warley Playing Fields.

3.         That members delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer and relevant Officers to commence re-negotiation of the Joint User Agreement to be brought back to a future Policy, Projects and Resources Committee for consideration.

Reasons for Recommendation

To allow for the refurbishment of a degraded sporting facility at Warley Playing Fields for both educational and community use.

To ensure that facilities continue to be provided that cater for the immediate

and future needs of both the school, local sports clubs and community groups.

To allow for discussions and negotiations to commence for the development of a new Joint User Agreement for Warley Playing Fields and King George’s Playing Fields.

(Cllr Mynott declared a non-pecuniary interest under the Council’s Code of Conduct by virtue of an employee for Brentwood County High School).