MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

CABINET MEMBER FOR LEISURE AND CULTURE

REPORT OF DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Report prepared by: Trevor Gasson Date Issued: 8 February 2007

1. DEVELOPMENT OF AN ATHLETICS TRACK AT SUTTON VALENCE SCHOOL 1.1. Issue for Decision 1.1.1. The Cabinet Member is asked to consider the possibility of a joint venture with Sutton Valence School and and Medway Athletics Club to construct an athletics track at Sutton Valence.

1.2. Recommendation of Deputy Chief Executive

(1) That authority is given to progress a joint venture with Sutton Valence School and Maidstone and Medway Athletics Club to construct an athletics track on Sutton Valence School playing fields.

(2) That agreement is given to the £294,000 included in the Council’s Capital Programme to be committed to this scheme.

1.3 Reasons for Recommendation

1.3.1 For a number of years the sum of £300,000 has been included in the Borough Council’s Capital Programme to assist in the establishment of an athletics track in Maidstone. £6,000 of this has been used for related activity leaving a balance of £294,000. There has been strong political support in principle for this facility for, at the present time, there are no reasonable training or local competition facilities for athletics in the borough. Local club members have to travel substantial distances to use suitable facilities.

1.3.2 The project has, however, not progressed for a number of reasons. Difficulties have been encountered in identifying suitable sites within the Borough and, in any event, expected matched funding from Sport has not materialised.

1.3.3 As a result of recent discussions between the Borough Council, the Head Master, Bursar and Director of Sports at Sutton Valence School, and representatives of Maidstone and Medway Athletics Club, the possibility of a joint venture to construct an eight lane athletics track together with facilities for field events on part of the Sutton Valence School Playing fields has emerged. This would

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provide facilities which would be valuable to the School as well as the Athletics Club. Joint use of the facilities would be feasible, with a broad outline of the basis for such use having been discussed already and existing facilities at the School such as the Sports Hall, changing rooms and car parking would be available. From the School’s perspective the facilities would give the opportunity for pupils to undertake a level of athletics not previously enjoyed and the presence of the Athletics Club would provide opportunities for competition which hitherto have not existed.

1.3.4 In addition to the track itself, floodlighting, which with current standards could be handled in a manner which minimises spillage beyond the site, and small buildings accommodating a store, race administration centre and facilities adjoining the track, would be required

1.3.5 Access to the facilities would be generally available for non-school pupils via membership of the Athletics Club on similar terms to those which present exist.

1.3.6 The proposed location within the Sutton Valence School playing fields is ideal in terms of topography and well related to existing sports facilities. Whilst overall the location is a little way beyond the urban area it is easily accessible by public transport being on the main bus route from Maidstone to and .

1.3.7 At the present time the aspiration would be that the track would be available for use in the Spring of 2008, subject to planning permission being granted.

1.3.8 This proposal represents an exciting opportunity to secure a long awaited sports facility in Maidstone and to fulfil one of the Council’s principal sporting ideals bearing in mind the lead up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

1.4 Alternative Actions and why not recommended 1.4.1 The Cabinet Member could decide not to progress this scheme but from experience over recent years there would appear to be no other opportunities so likely to deliver this much needed facility in the foreseeable future. Delaying a decision may well result in the chance to develop this facility being lost, as the funding streams beyond the Council’s own resources will be diverted elsewhere and the momentum which Members have sought to create leading up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be lost.

1.5 Impact on Corporate Objectives 1.5.1 The construction of the athletics track would be totally in accord with the Borough Council’s objectives relating to quality of living, a

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healthy environment and sustainability.

1.6 Risk Management 1.6.1 Risks associated with the project would include the failure to complete the development following the commitment of the Council’s Capital sum. Staging of the payments and an appropriate agreement between the parties will ensure against this.

Secondly the track could fail to be maintained and be unavailable for use once it has been constructed. The location of the track within the confines of Sutton Valence School will minimise the likelihood of this occurring.

1.7 Other Implications

Financial X

Staffing

Legal

Social Inclusion X

Environmental/sustainable development

Human Rights Act

Community Safety X

Risk Management X

1.7.1 Financial

In addition to the £294,000 to be made available from the Council’s Capital Programme, Sutton Valence School would hope to contribute a capital sum of £500,000 to the project.

Revenue costs would be borne jointly by the School and the Athletics Club.

1.7.2 Social Inclusion

The opportunity for use of the school facilities by the wider public very much follows current Government ideals.

1.7.3 Community Safety

The location of the athletics track within the School playing fields will help to reduce potential vandalism and anti-social behaviour in the new facility.

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The enhanced opportunities that the track will provide, particularly for young people, will contribute to a reduction in anti-social and criminal behaviour within the Borough.

Background Documents

None

How to Comment

Should you have any comments on the issue that is being considered please contact either the relevant Officer or the Member of the Executive who will be taking the decision.

Cllr Brian Moss Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture Telephone: 01622 761998 E-mail: [email protected]

Trevor Gasson Deputy Chief Executive Telephone: 01622 602217 E-mail: [email protected]

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