Cabinet Member for Resources

Transcription

1 Cabinet Member for Resources 15 th June 2009 Item No. 1 Subject Purpose Belle Vue Park Bowling Clubs Licences To seek the approval of the Cabinet Member for Resources on the proposal to grant a licence to use the bowling greens and pavilion in Belle Vue Park to each of the six bowling clubs based in the park. Author Ward Steve Ward, Sport & Leisure Manager Stow Hill Summary There are currently six bowling clubs based at Belle Vue Park including the Belle Vue, Standard and Phoenix Bowling Clubs, the latter two relocated to the park in Since this date there have been incidents where certain of the clubs have been unwilling to reach voluntary agreement in respect of shared use of the Trowbridge Room in the bowls pavilion and the shared use of one of the bowling greens. None of the clubs currently has a licence to use the facilities. Proposal 1. To grant each of the six bowling clubs based at Belle Vue Park a licence to use the bowling greens and pavilion facilities, taking into consideration the investments made by the individual clubs and their current use requirements of the facilities including the bowling greens, pavilion and the Friars Road Lodge. 2. To refer the terms of individual agreements back to the Cabinet Member for Resources, if not agreed. Contact Steve Ward, steve.ward@newport.gov.uk, Action by Timetable Sport & Leisure Manager Immediate Signed

2 Background There are currently six bowling clubs based at the Newport City Council managed Belle Vue Park Bowls facilities which comprise: 2 Bowling Greens with 6 rinks on each Centrally located pavilion including changing rooms, toilets and Trowbridge Room Changing Accommodation located within the ground floor of the Friar s Road Lodge (Belle Vue only) Wooden changing chalet within rear garden of Friar s Road Lodge (Belle Vue only & fully funded by) The clubs include: Belle Vue Bowling Club Newport Ladies Bowling Club Newport Dockers Bowling Club Newport High School Old Boys Bowling Club Standard Bowling Club Phoenix Bowling Club Since spring 2004 the Belle Vue Bowling Club has had the exclusive use of the ground floor of the Friars Road Lodge for changing accommodation. In spring 2008 they funded a new changing chalet in the rear garden of the lodge for the use of their visiting teams. The non-domestic business rates for the Friars Road Lodge and all utility costs for electricity and water are paid for by the Sport and Leisure section of Newport City Council. All of the other clubs use the changing rooms in the bowls pavilion with the Dockers, Standard, and Phoenix clubs agreeing fixtures in order to share changing facilities for visiting teams. Licence Agreements The Estates Section has at our request produced draft licence agreements between the Council and each of the six clubs. This has been necessary due to the inability of certain clubs to reach voluntary agreement in respect of the use of the Trowbridge Room in the bowls pavilion, and the shared use of one of the bowling greens. Trowbridge Room The Trowbridge Room located within the pavilion is used for refreshments midway through and after matches. The licensed bar is managed by the Belle Vue Bowling Club and their Chairman is the licence holder. The bar is open to the other clubs by arrangement with the Belle Vue Bowling Club benefiting from the additional income. The Trowbridge Room was added to the original 1934 pavilion in The Belle Vue Bowling Club state that the total cost was a little over 4,500 and that the Council contributed 1,500 and the Belle Vue Bowling Club just over 3,000. The Newport Ladies Bowling Club and the Newport Dockers Bowling Club were both present in the park at this time but neither club made a financial contribution. The Belle Vue Bowling Club state that they have funded the existing furnishings and fittings, and indeed carried out interior decorating from time to time. None of the other clubs have disputed this statement and this is corroborated in the chronology of events listed overleaf. The Standard and Phoenix Bowling Clubs relocated to Belle Vue Park in 2004 as a result of the demise of their company green. The Belle Vue Bowling Club has occupied their new changing accommodation in the ground floor of the lodge from the same time. Correspondence on file shows that in particular the Belle Vue Bowling Club was opposed to the Standard and Phoenix Clubs relocating to Belle Vue. Statements made by both the chairman and president of the Belle Vue Club in recent meetings show that their position remains unchanged today, the Ladies Club also share the same view. Whilst the Ladies, Dockers, and High School Old Boys clubs did not contribute financially to the construction of the Trowbridge Room the Belle Vue club are not opposed to them using the facilities.

3 Chronology of Events and Investment at Belle Vue Park Bowls Facilities Date Event 1969 Belle Vue Bowling Club apply successfully to the Council to build the Trowbridge Room facilities. Newport County Borough Council contributed 1,500 towards the cost. February 1983 Newport Borough Council grant consent for the provision of a licensed bar. March 1984 Newport Borough Council fund repairs to the kitchen facilities December 1984 Newport Borough Council fund clean-up costs following contamination of the bowling greens by St Woolos Hospital incinerator October 1986 Newport Borough Council arrange for a telephone to be installed in the bowls pavilion office May 1987 Newport Borough Council bear the costs of repairs following vandal damage to both the Trowbridge Room external doors and internal kitchen door July 1987 Newport Borough Council purchase new wooden steps to aid access to the bowling greens April 1989 Official Opening of the new extension to the Trowbridge Room. Newport Borough Council contribute 5,500 towards the cost of the works. Belle Vue Bowling Club contribute 4,000 November 1989 Newport Borough Council funds the purchase of new tables for the Trowbridge Room March 1990 Director of Leisure highlights the need for a license for the use of the pavilion facilities to be granted. April 1990 Newport Borough Council fund repairs to broken windows and doors following a break-in to the bowls pavilion May 1990 Newport Borough Council fund the repainting of the flag pole July 1990 Newport Borough Council fund the costs of repairs to the gents toilets May 1999 Newport Borough Council fund refurbishment of the ladies changing room toilets Newport Borough Council funded the installation of July 1999 November 2002 new pavilion welcome signage Belle Vue Bowling Club fund redecoration of the Trowbridge Room and kitchen and a new refrigerator. Financial Position All members of all clubs based at Belle Vue purchase season tickets and pay all other match fees to Newport City council. None of the clubs pay for the use of the pavilion facilities or in the case of the Belle Vue Club the

4 use of the ground floor of Friars Road Lodge, ground rent or electricity on the new changing chalet in the rear garden of the Lodge. The Sport and Leisure section are responsible for all maintenance and utility costs for the bowling greens, bowls pavilion, and the ground floor of the Friars Road Lodge and rear garden. The expenditure in 2008/09 for the Belle Vue Park Bowls facilities are summarised below: Newport City Council Bowls Expenditure Belle Vue Park Greens maintenance 2008/09 68, Bowls Pavilion- Electricity Bowls Pavilion and Greens - Water 3000 Non-domestic rates Friars Road Lodge ground floor 1, (Lower floor = 50% of building) Seasonal Sports Attendant collecting ticket income 6, Consumables Vandalism 300 Total 79, Bowls Income Income 2008 Season 7, Belle Vue Bowls subsidy 72, Belle Vue Bowls subsidy per member after subtracting casual use / income per bowler Membership Statistics of Clubs based at Belle Vue Club Number of Members Belle Vue Bowling Club 60 Newport Ladies Bowling Club 27 Newport Dockers Bowling Club 11 Standard Bowling Club 24 Phoenix Bowling Club 19 Newport High School Old Boys Bowling Club 2 Total 143 Casual Bowls tickets sold Month Season Tickets Sold 2008 Casual Bowling Tickets Sold April 61 5 May June 7 71 July Total At a meeting with representatives of the Bowling Clubs on 6 th February 2009 the Belle Vue Club were offered the comprise of granting them priority use of the Trowbridge Room in recognition of the financial contribution that they have made in developing the facilities, this was deemed unacceptable by their representatives. The Standard Club offered to make a financial contribution (as they have done on more than one occasion previously) to the further development and maintenance of the facilities. Again the Belle Vue Club refused this offer. There is currently an impasse on the use of the Trowbridge Room facilities which is the reason for the need to review current charges and grant licenses for use of the facilities at Belle Vue Park. The licences will be

5 developed through consultation with the clubs, Sport and Leisure and the Estates Section of Newport City Council. Options Considered Option 1 To grant each of the six bowling clubs based at Belle Vue Park a licence to use the bowling facilities taking into consideration the investments made by the individual clubs and their current use requirements of the facilities including the bowling greens, pavilion and the Friars Road Lodge. Option 2 To take no action and allow the clubs to continue using the facilities as stated within the report. Preferred Option Option 1 - To grant each of the six bowling clubs based at Belle Vue Park a licence to use the bowling facilities taking into consideration the investments made by the individual clubs and their current use requirements of the facilities including the bowling greens, pavilion and the Friars Road lodge. Sustainability and Environmental Issues A key component within the sustainability agenda that is often undervalued or ignored is the contribution of local leisure facilities in increasing the physical activity opportunities thus improving general health and reducing obesity by encouraging participation in sport and active leisure pursuits, in both adults and in children. Equalities Impact The restored Belle Vue Park serves a wide cross section of the community and provides participation opportunities, especially from disadvantaged groups. Crime Prevention Impact Sport is recognised as a diversionary tool in combating social exclusion. Comments of Monitoring Officer In view of the difficulties which have arisen in the past, the granting of licences appears to be a sensible way to proceed to resolve existing problems and regularise terms and conditions for the future use of the premises by the various clubs. Comments of Chief Financial Officer I note the costs and level of subsidy associated with Belle Vue Bowling. I am aware of various different Licence agreements across the Sport and Leisure section in regards to the use of Council facilities and it would be interesting and welcomed to see if all are/could be set up in a consistent manner with regards to the operation (i.e who pays for what) and the financial contributions being made to the overall running costs to avoid any discrepancies with clubs in the future. Comments of Head of Human Resources and Policy There are no HR implications. Comments of Cabinet Member for Leisure & Continuing Learning Cllr Mike Hamilton I am happy to approve the granting of licensing to the various clubs that bowl at Belle Vue. Clearly, I will want sight of the licenses when agreed. Given the high level of subsidy provided by Newport City Council towards bowling, I am keen that we have a firm framework for our dealings with the various clubs, and that further disputes between the clubs can be avoided.

6 Comments of Local Ward Members Local Ward Members have been consulted. Consultation with Elected Members All Members of the Council have been consulted on the proposals in this report and no comments have been received.