Agenda item

Mr G Rennocks thanked the Working Party for having invited him to the meeting. He stated that the football club had a great working relationship with the District Council and expressed hope that this would continue in the future.

He relayed that the football club had been particularly successful on the pitch over the last few years and that, consequently, facilities off the pitch had fallen below their new league’s standards. Mr Rennocks outlined that the club were in contention to be promoted again this season and stated that this would necessitate further improvements to the facilities, such as the installation of extra seating and turnstiles. It was stressed that if promotion was achieved then the improvements must be completed by the end of March 2015.

Mr Rennocks stated that the club were committed to Owen Street Recreation Ground and were close to signing a new 12 year lease. He went on to explain that the new lease will allow the club to apply for funding to improve facilities to the necessary league standards.

It was stated that the unfortunate demise of the cricket club had enabled the club’s junior sides to relocate to Owen Street. As such, the facilities at the ground were now being used 7 days a week by the various sections of the club. It was stated that the existing changing rooms were unsuitable, particularly given the fact that the facilities were being used by the ladies and girls teams.

Mr Rennocks thanked the District Council for their contribution of £115,000 towards the changing room improvements. He stated that the budget for the project was currently expected to be £280,000, which comprised of the funding from the District Council and £25,000 from the football club itself. This funding would then be matched by the Football Stadia Improvement Fund in order to reach the necessary total. It was stressed that the plans had been specifically designed so that they could be developed further in the future if circumstances required it.

Councillor M B Wyatt expressed concerns regarding the funding of the project. He enquired how much was currently held in the club’s tote and asked whether it was intended to utilise this money for the project. Mr Rennocks responded that the tote was run by the supporters club and not directly by the club itself. He stated that the fund currently totalled around £15,000 and that a proportion of the total would be put towards the improvements. Mr Rennocks also stated that he would contribute personally to the project if required.

Councillor J Geary enquired how many individuals regularly used the facilities. Mr Rennocks stated that the combined total of the senior team, junior teams and ladies team would be in excess of 150 regular playing users.

Councillor J Legrys complimented Mr Rennocks and the other directors of the club for all their work. He congratulated them on having improved the image of the town as a whole and stated that the club’s success had been a great morale boost for the town.

Councillor M Specht asked if it was intended to put the contract for the work out to tender. Mr Rennocks responded that it would not be possible to get firm quotes for the work until the plans had been finalised.

Councillor N Clarke thanked Mr Rennocks for having provided the Working Party with an update. He stated that the Working Party wished the club all the best in the future, both on and off the pitch.