Purpose

To secure Portfolio Holder
approval to allocate a capital contribution
of £45,000 to Newark R&M Cricket Club to enable it to
complete its changing room building to ensure that the Club can
continue to offer cricket opportunities for the local
community.

Decision

That the Portfolio
Holder for Strategy, Performance and Finance approves:
 

a)     
a Capital contribution of £45,000 to Newark
R&M Cricket Club to enable the new changing facilities at the
ground to be completed in order that the site can operate as a
two-pitch facility in the future in accordance with England and
Wales Cricket Board (ECB) regulations and the Club’s
Development Plans; and
 

b)     
that the Council’s Capital Programme is
increased by £45,000 financed by capital receipts.
 

Reasons for the decision

To enable Newark
R&M Cricket Club to complete its changing room project in time
for the start of the 2025 season in order
to comply with England and Wales Cricket Board requirements
and to allow the Club to continue to grow and develop.

Alternative options considered

During the last two
years the Club has submitted a number of grant applications to
various funding bodies with little success resulting in the new
changing room building remaining  partially constructed and
unusable.  If the Council is unable to
support the Club with a grant to get the build completed the Club
will struggle to meet ECB guidelines for the 2025 season based on
the level of cricket played at the ground which requires separate
changing rooms for each side playing. 
The current club has two changing rooms in the original pavilion
which does not meet the required standard of provision for a
two-pitch site, however, if a capital contribution is awarded the
club will be able to complete the build project in time for the new
season. If the Council is not able to support the Club, the
building will remain unfinished for a further year and potentially
create challenges for competitive cricket at the site which is a
risk the Club are keen to avoid.