The Provision of Sports Pavilions and Changing Rooms Provided by Caerphilly County Borough Council A report by the Education and Leisure Scrutiny Committee Task and Finish Group April 2003 FOREWORD I am delighted to present the final report of the Education and Leisure Scrutiny Committee Task and Finish Group. The report considers the provision of pavilions and changing rooms provided by Caerphilly County Borough Council. Pavilions and changing rooms contribute to some of the Council’s key strategies, including those aimed at bringing benefits to the local community, economy, health and education. Caerphilly County Borough Council has some 75 pavilions and changing rooms in its ownership. These are in regular use by clubs playing a variety of sports including rugby, football, cricket, bowls and tennis. As well as satisfying sporting needs, pavilions have the potential as meeting places for other clubs and community groups. This report details the Council’s pavilion portfolio, highlights the condition of individual pavilions and changing rooms and explores the different management arrangements available for these important community assets. The report’s recommendations are challenging and a step change from traditional thinking and resource provision. That said I believe they are achievable and a good starting point for raising the standard of pavilions and changing rooms within the Caerphilly County Borough. Finally, I would like to thank the valuable contributions made by members of this task and finish group and those officers who assisted in the production of this report. I urge the Education and Leisure Scrutiny Committee to endorse this report and Cabinet to implement its recommendations. Gill Jones Chairman Education and Leisure Scrutiny Committee Task and Finish Group 1 CONTENTS Page Foreword 1 Introduction 3 Terms of Reference 3 Membership of Task and Finish Group 3 Committee Secretariat 3 Contributions 3 Methodology 3 The Portfolio 5 Pavilions Defined 5 The Portfolio 5 Table of Pavilions and Changing Rooms by 5 Electoral Ward The Sports Council for Wales Sportlot 7 Capital Grant Scheme Condition 9 Background 9 Condition Factors 9 Age and Construction 9 Pavilion Users 9 Vandalism 9 Maintenance 10 Table to show the Council’s portfolio of 11 pavilions and changing rooms detailing, types of sports team users, a description of each pavilion and its condition. Management Arrangements 23 Overview of Current Arrangements 23 Estimated Pavilion Income and Expenditure 23 Statement 2002/03 Current Management Arrangements 24 Reorganising the Current Management 25 Arrangements Leasing Pavilions and Changing Rooms to 27 Users Conclusions 29 Recommendations 30 Annex – List of pavilion lease agreements 31 2 1. INTRODUCTION Terms of Reference 1.1 The terms of reference agreed at the task and finish group’s first meeting on 6th November 2002 is outlined below: To establish the distribution, condition and use of sports pavilions provided by Caerphilly County Borough Council, consider future provision and identify options for refurbishment and management arrangements. Membership of Task and Finish Group 1.2 The Task and Finish Group was made up from the following members of the Education and Leisure Scrutiny Committee: Councillor Mrs G M Jones (Chair) Councillor R Cook Councillor D M Gray Councillor S Jenkins Councillor S Lewis Councillor E G Morgan Councillor M F Pritchard Councillor R Woodyatt Councillor D Potter Councillor D Hardacre Committee Secretariat Jonathan Jones Scrutiny Co-ordinator and Task and Finish Group Support Officer Dorothy Phillips Committee Services Officer Contributions 1.3 The Task and Finish Group would like to thank David Hopkins (Director of Education and Leisure), Peter Gomer (Head of Lifelong Learning and Leisure), Derek Price (Principal Parks and Open Spaces Officer) and their staff who kindly provided information and advice during the development of this report. Methodology 1.4 In completing this report, the Task and Finish Group undertook the following tasks: 1.5 Conducted site visits to the following sample of pavilions on 4th November: 3 Name of Pavilion Location Brithdir Cricket and Football Pavilion Brithdir Gelliwen Football Pavilion Above New Tredegar Location for proposed new sports development New Tredegar comprising of pavilion, changing rooms, pitches and multi use games area. Islwyn Park Pavilion Pontllanfraith Ynysddu Cricket and Football Pavilion Ynysddu Longbridge Baths Risca Ystrad Mynach Bowls Pavilion Ystrad Mynach 1.6 Held meetings of the task and finish group on 6th November 2002, 8th January 2003 and 17th March 2003. 1.7 Met with pavilions users’ Peter Szpadt (Nelson Cavaliers FC and Chairman of the Senior Football League) and Barry Horsman (Pontlottyn FC) on 6th November. 1.8 Considered the following reports: Title of Report Author Pavilions and Changing Rooms Derek Price, Principal Parks and Open Spaces Officer Table of Pavilion Data Keith Perkins, Parks Facilities Manager Property condition surveys for Fochriw Football Property Services Pavilion, Trelyn Park Pavilion, Ty Isaf Football Caerphilly County Borough Pavilion, Rhymney Rugby Pavilion, Morgan Jones Council Park Changing Rooms, Ystrad Fawr Pavilion, Ystrad Mynach Bowls Pavilion, Pontymister Welfare Bowls Pavilion and Bargoed Stadium. Information Guide ‘Sports Pavilions and Team SPORTLOT Changing Accommodation’. Playing Fields within Caerphilly County Borough Head of Lifelong Learning Council – An assessment of current and future and Leisure requirements. 4 2. THE PORTFOLIO Pavilions Defined 2.1 For the purpose of this report, there are two distinct types of building in use by sports users; changing rooms and pavilions. Changing rooms provide essential but basic facilities for outdoor sports. Pavilions provide additional accommodation such as a lounge or hall, which can be used by community groups for non-sport activities e.g. play groups or the St Johns Ambulance. The Portfolio 2.2 Caerphilly County Borough Council owns a total of 75 pavilions and changing rooms that are located throughout the county borough (29 out of 33 wards). In addition to the council’s provision of pavilions and changing rooms there are a number of additional facilities that will be managed by locally formed Sports Associations. The formation of independent Sports Associations is a requirement of the Sports Council for Wales Sportlot Capital grant scheme. In addition to the 75 pavilions there are a number of clubs who manage their facilities under lease agreements. A list of current lease agreements is contained at Annex 1. Table of Pavilions and Changing Rooms by Electoral Ward 2.3 The following table highlights by electoral ward, the number of pavilions and changing rooms in the ownership of Caerphilly County Borough Council. A full assessment of current provision and future needs for pavilions and playing fields is contained in the draft report ‘Playing fields within Caerphilly County Borough Council – An assessment of current and future requirements’ dated February 2002, compiled by the Head of Lifelong Learning and Leisure. Number of Electoral Ward Pavilions/ Name of Pavilion/ Changing Rooms Changing Rooms Aberbargoed 2 • Aberbargoed Welfare • Aberbargoed Rec Abercarn 4 • Abercarn Welfare (Cricket and Rugby Pavilion) • Abercarn Welfare (Football Pavilion) • Abercarn Welfare (Bowls) • Feeder Row Cwmcarn Aber Valley 2 • Abertridwr Welfare • Senghenydd Bowls Argoed 2 • Markham Changing Rooms • Holly Bush Rugby Changing Rooms Bargoed 2 • Bargoed Stand • Bargoed Bowls Bedwas, Trethomas 4 • Bedwas Bowls (on licence) and Machen • Llanfabon Drive • Graig-Y-Rhacca • Machen Welfare Blackwood 2 • Blackwood Showfield • Libanus 5 Cefn Fforest 1 • Cefn Fforest Welfare Crosskeys 5 • Pandy Park Crosskeys • Waunfawr Park Main Pavilion • Waunfawr Park Cricket Pavilion • Waunfawr Park Green Box Unit • Cross Keys Bowls Pavilion (on licence) Crumlin 4 • Croespenmaen Pavilion • Hafodyrynys Green Box Unit • Kay Field, Crumlin • Trinant Football Field Pavilion/Club House Darran Valley 2 • Deri Rugby Pavilion • Fochriw Pavilion Gilfach 1 • Gilfach Bowls Llanbradach 1 • Llanbradach Football Changing Rooms Maesycwmmer 1 • Maesycwmmer Changing Rooms Morgan Jones 2 • Morgan Jones Bowls Pavilion • Morgan Jones Changing Rooms Virginia Park 1 • Virginia Park Caerphilly (Green Box Unit) Moriah 5 • Abertysswg Pavilion • Abertysswg Green Box Unit • Eisteddfod Field Rhymney • Rhymney Bowls • Rhymney Changing Rooms Nelson 1 • Nelson Wern Newbridge 5 • Fields Park, Newbridge • Newbridge Bowls Club • Pantside, Pavilion 1 • Pantside, Pavilion 2 • Pentwynmawr Changing Rooms New Tredegar 5 • Brithdir Welfare • Gelliwen (top of Markham Mountain) • Grove Park Bowls, Rugby and Football Club • New Tredegar Green Box Changing Rooms • Philipstown Green Box Changing Rooms Penmaen 1 • Oakdale Pavilion Pengam 4 • Britannia Playing Fields • St Davids, Pengam • Trelyn Changing Pavilion • Ynys Changing Rooms, Pengam Penyrheol 1 • Aneurin Park, Caerphilly Pontllanfraith 3 • Bryn Field • Bowls, Cricket Football Pavilion • Islwyn Park Stand Pontlottyn 2 • Pontlottyn Rec • Pontlottyn Welfare Risca West 6 • Tan y Bryn (leased to Pontymister Youth A.F.C.) • Pontymister Sports Pavilion Section 1: Bowls Club • Pontymister Sports Pavilion Section 2: Cricket Club • Pontymister Sports Pavilion Section 3: Upstairs Flat • Ty Isaf Bowls • Ty Isaf Football Club • Fernlea • Longbridge Baths 6 St Cattwg 2 • Tir-Y-Berth • Gelligaer Welfare • Claerwen Ynysddu 2 • Ynysddu Welfare • Wattsville Community Centre/Changing