Agenda item

Purpose: to propose the adoption of the final Playing Pitch Strategy 2026-2041.  

Resolved that Executive adopt the final Playing Pitch Strategy 2026-2041

This decision is not subject to call in as:

·      the item has been considered by a Scrutiny Committee, or Scrutiny Task Group, or has been the subject of a review undertaken by another body within the preceding six months.

therefore it will be implemented immediately.

Councillor Nigel Foot introduced and proposed a report (Agenda Item 8), which recommended the adoption of the final Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) 2026-2041. It was noted that the report had been fully reviewed at Resources and Place Scrutiny Committee the previous week.

Councillor Howard Woollaston noted that his comment at Resources and Place Scrutiny Committee that the PPS was ‘woeful’’ may have been harsh, however argued that it lacked specifics on sites, finance, business plans and achievable objectives, and commented that it did not provide enough certainty about what the Council wanted to deliver. Councillor Foot expressed disappointment in the tone of the question and highlighted that the PPS covered a 15-year period and so had to evolve. He commented that the PPS had three main aims; to protect existing pitches, enhance pitches that had fallen into disrepair, and provide new pitches where needed.

Councillor Ross Mackinnon queried what guarantees there were that new or improved facilities would remain accessible to grassroots clubs and local residents, rather than being dominated by higher-paying users, and also asked what the council expected to deliver directly over the next three years. Councillor Foot referred to the planned artificial grass pitch at Faraday Road, and noted that delivery would be shaped by the steering group and the wider strategy process rather than a fixed short-term programme  

Councillor Paul Kander queried whether the £1.25 million for the Faraday Road 3G pitch was included within the PPS figures. Councillor Foot responded that it was not and clarified that the 3G pitch was funded separately from CIL receipts, whilst the PPS had a 2025/26 capital budget of £193,510. It was explained that future investment would come forward through later capital budget decisions as sites and projects were identified 

Councillor Denise Gaines seconded the recommendation within the report, highlighted that the PPS was aligned with the Local Plan and noted that of the three aims previously mentioned by Councillor Foot, only the ‘provide’ element would necessarily mean new pitches, whereas ‘protect’ and ‘enhance’ would often relate to existing sites

RESOLVED that: Executive

·       Adopt the final Playing Pitch Strategy 2026-2041.