Agenda item

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Energy, Environment, Waste Services and Parks

Councillor Corall Jenkins, Portfolio Holder for Energy, Environment and waste Services and Parks, presented the report providing details of the Forest Recreation Ground Sports Zone Improvement Project, highlighting the following:

(a)  the project seeks to transform the existing sand-based football pitch into a new 3rd Generation (3G) rubber crumb football pitch and construct a 90m² extension to the existing building, improve the fencing around the site and improve the access arrangements for both pitches;

(b)  Since its construction in 2015, in partnership with Nottingham Forest Community Trust, (NFCT), the Forest Recreation Ground Sports Zone has become a premier community facility and provides a range of Football Development and other sports activities, for both the local community and teams from around the city. The facilities are highly utilised and are always busy delivering a range of sports activities. The lower pitch, contained within the Forest Recreation Ground Sports Zone is sand-based and was originally funded by Sport England. As a condition of the Sport England grant the council agreed to set up a Forest Multi Use Activity Pitch sinking fund to help pay for the replacement of the sand-based pitch. The sand-based pitch is now past its operational best and requires replacement in line with the Sport England conditions;

(c)  to enable NCC to further improve the facilities at the site, funding has been secured from Nottingham Trent University (NTU), who are keen to be involved at this site to help provide use for both the University and the local community. Additional funding is to be secured from the Football Foundation. Partnership funding from the Football Foundation, NFCT and NTU, will provide further match funding against the existing sinking fund contributions, which will fully fund the project. This equates to 93% partnership funding and 7% sinking funding contributions;

(d)  assurances have been sought from the Head of Green Space and Natural Environment that 3G pitches have been recognised by Sport England as durable, safe, year-round playing surfaces, which are able to withstand intensive use and all kinds of weather. 

Resolved to

(1)  approve the project as detailed in the Forest Sports Zone Improvement proposals (Appendix 1) subject to:

a)  Capital Board endorsement and agreement to treat the project as an in-year fully funded addition to the capital programme;

b)  Director of Residential Services, Finance, Procurement, Spend Control Panel and Section 151 Officer approval;

c)  confirmation of funding and conditions to be imposed being the same as those attached as appendices 2, 3 and 4;

d)  acceptance of partnership funding from Nottingham Trent University, subject to a Management Agreement and Investment Agreement being in place before entering into a contract to deliver the project;

(2)  approve the submission of the match funding application to the Football Foundation and approve the acceptance of the grant if the application is successful. The project will not progress into the delivery phase until all the external funding is secured;

(3)  delegate the authority to the Director of Residential Services, to carry out the procurement process and enter into contracts (in accordance with the Public Contract Regulations 2015 and the Council’s constitution) relating to the project, subject to review by Legal Services or external lawyers;

(4)  delegate the authority to the Director of Residential Services to agree the refreshed Deed of Dedication, subject to review by Legal Services or external lawyers, this will be finalised once the Grant has been awarded and before entering into contract;

(5)  delegate the authority to the Director of Residential Services to approve the refreshed Management Agreement with Nottingham Forest Community Trust and Nottingham Trent University, subject to review by Legal Services or external lawyers and to reflect the Concession Contract Regulations 2016;

(6)  delegate the authority to the Director of Residential Services to enter into an Investment Agreement with Nottingham Trent University.

Reasons for decisions:

·  The initial Forest Recreation Ground Sports Zone (FSZ) project was completed in 2015 utilising Sport England funding. A condition and contractual obligation of the Sport England grant was that the Council should set aside monies in a Forest Multi Use Activity Pitch (FMAP) sinking fund to replace and upgrade the existing sand-based pitch when it came to its end of life.

·  The FSZ provides a sporting hub for local people and encourages them to be active and improve their physical and mental wellbeing. Embracing the diversity, positivity and enthusiasm of its community, and offers a safe and professional environment for local people to engage in physical activity, skills training, organised sport and helps divert young people away from crime and anti-social behaviour.

·  The existing community building is no longer adequate to address the needs of those using the facility. Additional meeting rooms are required along with improved access facilities. These improvements can be delivered within the funding available.

·  Partnership funding from the Football Foundation and Nottingham Trent University (NTU) will provide 93% of the total funding requirement to deliver this project, with the remaining funds taken from the Council’s FMAP Sinking Fund.

·  The delivery of the programmes will continue to be delivered under the existing management agreement with Nottingham Forest Community Trust (NFCT). This agreement will be amended to reflect any new or amended conditions, the Concession Contract Regulations 2016 and the investment from NTU.

Other options considered:

·  Do Nothing: This is not an option and has been rejected. It is a condition of the existing Management Agreement and capital funding, that the existing FMAP must support the delivery of the site’s Football Development Plan, and that the facility is maintained “Fit for Purpose”. The existing FMAP carpet, fencing and floodlights are close to the end of life, and the pitch is no longer sustainable in its current state. There is also a risk of losing the capital investors if no action is taken.

·  Deliver the original plan to realign the pitch and additional changing/ training and office building. This option was rejected as cost estimate were too high and it was not favoured at recent public consultation events.

·  Reinstate the sand-based pitch. This option has been rejected as the sand-based pitch is considered outdated, and not a suitable playing surface needed to support the site’s continued delivery and improvements to the football development programme.

·  Deliver a new 3G and site improvement. This option has been approved, as it will deliver the required investment to the pitch, as per the original Sport England grant condition. The new facility will enhance the quality of the site and improve the delivery of the football development programme.