Issue - meetings

At its meeting on 18 March 2021 Cabinet will consider a report on a request from Thame Town Council to release funds from eight S106 contributions. The funding would replace an existing grass pitch with a new full-size (100m x 64m) Floodlit 3G Football Turf Pitch (FTP) with pitch markings to accommodate a variety of football pitches, mini soccer pitches and training areas at The ASM Stadium, Meadow View Park, Thame.

The report of the acting deputy chief executive - place which Cabinet will consider on 18 March is attached.

The recommendations of Cabinet will be circulated to all councillors following the Cabinet meeting.

Councillors Bretherton and Gregory took no part in the discussion or voting on this item (see minute 148).

Councillor Gillespie, Vice-Chair of council chaired this item.

Council considered Cabinet’s recommendation, made at its meeting on 18 March 2021, to create a budget to provide funding towards a new floodlit, 3G artificial turf sports pitch at the ASM Stadium, Meadow View Park, Thame. 

RESOLVED:to create a budget of £340,000 in the approved capital programme for a 3G Artificial Floodlit full-size football pitch project in Thame, to be funded by the section 106 contributions set out in the report of the acting deputy chief executive – place to Cabinet on 18 March 2021.

To consider the report of the acting deputy chief executive - place. 

Cabinet considered the report of the acting deputy chief executive – place.  This set out a request from Thame Town Council for section 106 funding towards a new floodlit, 3G artificial turf sports pitch at the ASM Stadium, Meadow View Park, Thame. 

Cabinet noted that this would provide a high standard sports pitch that could be used by multiple teams each week, even in the wettest parts of winter.  This project had achieved widespread support in Thame, driven by the town council, local sports clubs and the local community.  Cabinet supported the proposal. 

RECOMMENDED:to Council on 25 March 2021 to   

(a)      create a budget of £340,000 in the approved capital programme for a 3G Artificial Floodlit full-size football pitch project in Thame, to be funded by the section 106 contributions set out in the report of the acting deputy chief executive – place to Cabinet on 18 March 2021;

RESOLVED: subject to Council agreeing recommendation (a) above, to:

(b)      approve funding to Thame Town Council up to a maximum of £340,000, towards the installation of a new 3G artificial floodlit football pitch;

(c)     authorise the acting deputy chief executive – place, in consultation with the head of legal and democratic to:

·         agree a funding agreement with Thame Town Council regarding the terms of use of the section 106 funding; the instalments in which the funding is paid; the timing of instalments; the conditions subject to which instalments are paid; and to otherwise protect the interests of South Oxfordshire District Council as the provider of the funding; and

·         approve the payment to Thame Town Council of up to £340,000 towards the installation of a new 3G artificial floodlit football pitch, subject to and in accordance with the funding agreement.