Agenda item

To seek approval to apply for external funding via the Football Foundation to develop and deliver a portfolio of ‘Small sided’ multi-sport facilities within the Borough of Sandwell as part of the legacy of the Commonwealth Games.

Resolved:

1.1 That approval be given to apply for external funding via the Football

Foundation to develop and deliver a portfolio of ‘Small sided’ multi-sport

facilities within the Borough of Sandwell with the facilities being a

‘legacy’ from the Commonwealth Games and will be either

refurbishments of existing facilities or new builds.

1.2 That the Director of Borough Economy in consultation with the Section

151 Officer be authorised to:

·       Prepare any necessary Tendering documentation

·       Procure, in accordance with the public procurement rules, the Council’s

·       procurement and financial regulations a contractor(s) to carry out works

·       on site; to award a contract and to enter into or execute under seal any

·       financial agreement(s) as may be deemed necessary in relation to the

·       project

·       Accept Grant funding from the Football Foundation on terms and

·       conditions to be agreed by the Director of Borough Economy in

·       consultation with Legal services.

·       Commit ‘Capital’ match funding of £100,000 towards the project.

·       (£50,000 from Public Health and £50,000 from Sport & Leisure). The

·       minimum funding ratio is 75 : 25. Therefore a maximum total project

·       cost for the main project would be £400,000 with the Football

·       Foundation investing £300,000 along with a £100,000 match funding

·       amount from Sandwell Council

1.3 That a ‘Front Runner’ project is delivered, completed ahead of the

Commonwealth Games.

Approval was sought to apply for external funding via the Football Foundation to develop and deliver a portfolio of ‘Small sided’ multi-sport facilities within the

Borough of Sandwell as part of the legacy of the

Commonwealth Games.

The Chair of Children’s Services and Education Scrutiny Board raised a question regarding the identification of suitable spaces for the projects and whether they would be at least one in each town in Sandwell.

In response, the Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism stated that the external investment into local projects would be subject to strategic evidence and demonstrating clear demand, via the Playing Pitch Strategy and Local Football Facilities Plan. Smethwick had been identified for the pilot project due to the location of the Aquatics Centre and the Commonwealth Games links. Further projects would also be delivered elsewhere in Sandwell with further scoping and consultation required. It was endeavoured to ensure that the projects reflect a reasonable spread around Sandwell.

In response to a question by the Chair of Children Services and Education Scrutiny Board regarding the inclusion of other sports within the projects, the Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism stated that it was a requirement of the funding and a key objective of the project for other sports to be delivered as well as football. The facilities should be developed to accommodate other sports and activation of other activities.

The Chair of Children Services and Education Scrutiny Board enquired whether all-weather pitches would be considered as part of the project. In response, the Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism stated that in most instances, a ‘hard court’ would be most appropriate although in some instances either a polymeric or hard wearing 3G surface may be used. Further details would be available once the community engagement had been carried out.

Reason for Decision

Inward investment from the Football Foundation would enable the delivery of Small Sided multi-sport facilities. These may be ‘refurbishment’ of existing facilities that had fallen into disrepair or the creation of brand-new facilities. Approval to apply for external funding would enable officers to complete and submit the necessary grant paperwork.

The project would be leaving a lasting ‘Legacy’ from the Commonwealth Games and recognised Sandwell’s contribution as a ‘host Borough’. It would also assist in the Council’s efforts to help residents engage in sporting activities, combat inactivity and encourage healthy lifestyles.

Alternative Options Considered

                  No alternative options had been considered for this project. The ‘Do nothing’ approach would result in the loss of potential inward investment along with a missed opportunity to upgrade sports facilities and engage communities in sport/leisure.

Agreed:-

(1)     that approval be given to apply for external funding via the Football Foundation to develop and deliver a portfolio of ‘Small sided’ multi-sport facilities within the Borough of Sandwell with the facilities being a ‘legacy’ from the Commonwealth Games and will be either refurbishments of existing facilities or new builds;

(2)     that the Director of Borough Economy in consultation with the Section 151 Officer be authorised to:

·      Prepare any necessary Tendering documentation

·      Procure, in accordance with the public procurement rules, the Council’s procurement and financial regulations a contractor(s) to carry out works on site; to award a contract and to enter into or execute under seal any financial agreement(s) as may be deemed necessary in relation to the project

·      Accept Grant funding from the Football Foundation on terms and conditions to be agreed by the Director of Borough Economy in consultation with Legal services.

·      Commit ‘Capital’ match funding of £100,000 towards the project (£50,000 from Public Health and £50,000 from Sport & Leisure). The minimum funding ratio is 75 : 25. Therefore a maximum total project cost for the main project would be £400,000 with the Football Foundation investing £300,000 along with a £100,000 match funding amount from Sandwell Council

(3)     that a ‘Front Runner’ project is delivered, completed ahead of the Commonwealth Games.