Purpose

External investment of £206,426.94 has
been secured and accepted from the LTA to investment in
refurbishment of Tennis Courts in 4 Parks. This investment is for
remedial works to bring 19 courts over the 4 sites up to an
excellent standard. This has been agreed by Head of Service,
Service Director and Portfolio Holder.
 
The refurbishment work will be carried out by
the LTA’s approved and appointed contractors under their call
off contract and framework agreement, as stipulated in the
conditions of the grant. A decision to enter into such works
contract has been approved by our Service Director.
 
Another condition of the grant is that the
Council must commit to maintaining standards as part of the
agreement. This is extremely positive in terms of access to high
quality provision for our communities within our parks, but given
the Council’s financial challenges, we must as a result
review and more closely manage the current charging system, which
will create a sinking fund to sustain the quality of provision and
meet the needs of the agreement obligations.
 
The existing charges for the use of our Tennis
Courts have not been consistently implemented and we are looking to
amend and implement this charging for Parks Tennis Courts in the
following Parks: Greenhead, Wilton, Firth, Crow Nest.
 
Our current charging rates do include an
agreed charging rate of £7 per hour. The new proposal is to
lower this fee but be more consistent in application and
collection.
 
The £5 figure was reached utilising the
LTA modelling to understand how participation and income may
look.
 
We will also provide weekly ‘free’
sessions and aim explore other concessions in the future.
Furthermore, there will be regular coaching and engagement sessions
for the community.
 
Bookings and charges will be made through the
existing 3rd Party online booking system used (Clubspark). This is
also a stipulation of the LTA funding agreement. Initially we will
look to administer these bookings ourselves but once this settles,
we will explore if we want to continue in this arrangement or seek
a concessions contract / operator to manage it for us at a later
date.
 
A maintenance sinking fund will be created
through the income generated, which will allow us to maintain the
19 courts to the agreed LTA standards as per funding agreement
obligations.
 
If we don’t capitalise on this external
investment, the alternative is likely that we will no longer have
the resources to maintain the courts and they may continue to fall
into disrepair and potentially must close.
 
 

Content

•          
The acceptance of a Grant from the LTA and conditions. In
accordance with Financial Procedure Rules (FPRs), Service Directors
are authorised to accept any offer of grant and subsequent grant
conditions up to a maximum of £500,000.
•          
The LTA have procured a framework agreement, which Kirklees Council
must call off from for the delivery of the works, as per the Grant
Conditions and will directly deliver the proposed works and a
decision to enter such works contracts has been approved by Graham
West.
•          
Conditions on the grant are that we maintain the standards moving
forward.
•          
There is an existing charge of £7 per booking that we are
lowering to £5 per booking.
•          
The Council will be more consistent in the collection of booking
fees to maintain the improvement facilities.
•          
Continue to utilise the LTA booking system and use this moving
forward and for the collection of booking fees.
 
 

Schem of Delegation - Section of Scheme:
FPR 11.1 – Changes
to Fees and Charges
FPR 22.4 –
Acceptance of Grants