Agenda item

Report ES16035

The Football Association (FA) had previously indicated to FC Elmstead that they would support improvements to the pitches and clubhouse at Chislehurst Recreation Ground, the club currently having a Delegated Management Agreement (DMA) from the Council to use the facilities.

Following ground levelling and pitch drainage works supported by £47k grant funding from the Premier League and FA Facilities Fund (delivered by the Football Foundation), along with additional funding from the Council and Chislehurst Playing Fields Association (CPFA), the newly restored pitches were launched  in 2015.

To retain and grow the club’s activities (as per its Football Development Plan), a new modern clubhouse, compliant with current FA standards, was required to replace the existing poorly conditioned pavilion. In addition to changing facilities, showers, toilets, a club room, a café space with associated male and female accessible toilets, storage would also be provided which would include use by the local Friends Group. The club secured planning permission for the redevelopment (reference 14/04436/FULL1) in March 2015.

The total cost of the improvement works was estimated by the club to be in excess of £360k including contingency, professional fees, and VAT. In meeting the sum, the club had been successful in securing a number of external grants from a variety of partners, including a grant of £258,865 from the Football Foundation, as well as contributing some of its own funds.

A number of conditions were associated with accepting the grant from the Football Foundation and Report ES16035 considered two potential options available to the Council to meet these conditions. Given a number of risks associated with Option 1 (as highlighted in the report) Option 2 was recommended whereby the club would be solely responsible for the grant monies, including procurement and delivery of the project.

To take the project forward, consent was sought for (i) FC Elmstead being granted a 25 year lease on part of Chislehurst Recreation Ground and (ii) acceptance of a grant from the Football Foundation of £258,865 to be awarded to FC Elmstead to assist in constructing the new pavilion. Conditions associated with the grant award – in line with taking forward Option 2 - were also recommended for acceptance, including a legal charge upon the club’s leasehold title of the pavilion and a restriction upon the Council’s freehold title of the pitches during the 21 year Clawback period.

RESOLVED that:

(1) Option 2 outlined in Report ES16035 be pursued;

(2)  a 25 year lease be granted to FC Elmstead for part of Chislehurst Recreation Ground, on terms to be agreed by Strategic Property;

(3)  the acceptance of a grant from the Football Foundation be solely awarded to FC Elmstead to assist in funding the construction of the new pavilion at the location; and

(4)  acceptance of the legal conditions associated with award of the grant to the club be approved, including a legal charge upon the club’s leasehold title of the pavilion and a restriction upon the Council’s freehold title of the pitches, during the 21 year Clawback period.