Issue - meetings

This proposal is about modernising the way parks’ tennis courts are operated and presents a clear opportunity for the Council to optimise the impact and value of its existing assets to benefit residents, both users and non-users, supported by the Lawn Tennis Association

Councillor Julie Morris left the meeting room for the duration of the discussion of Item 5, on account of her declared interest.

The Committee received a report on modernising the way parks’ tennis courts are operated and presenting a clear opportunity for the Council to optimise the impact and value of its existing assets to benefit residents. The proposal relied on grant funding from the Lawn Tennis Association.

Following consideration, the Committee resolved (5 for, 1 against, and the Chair not voting) to:

(1)      Grant permission for officers to apply for a non-repayable grant from the Lawn Tennis Association to install gate technology to all tennis courts in the borough as set out in section four of this report.

Unanimously resolved to:

(2)      Agree to income received for use of tennis courts to be placed in the Council’s reserves and used solely for the ongoing maintenance need of the courts.

Unanimously resolved to:

(3)      Agree that £10,330 identified from section 106 funding is used to carry out maintenance and improvement works on tennis courts across the borough ahead of implementing the charging scheme.

Resolved (5 for, 1 against, and the Chair not voting) to:

(4)      Agree the fees and charges for tennis provision for 2023/24 as set out in appendix 1.

Unanimously resolved to:

(5)      Agree that the fees and charges will be reviewed annually and align to the LTA guidance and market testing of neighbouring authorities.

Councillor Julie Morris left the meeting room for the duration of the discussion of Item 5, on account of her declared interest.

The Committee received a report on modernising the way parks’ tennis courts are operated and presenting a clear opportunity for the Council to optimise the impact and value of its existing assets to benefit residents. The proposal relied on grant funding from the Lawn Tennis Association.

The following matters were considered by the Committee:

a)            Yearly Cost: Following a question from a Member, the Programme Officer confirmed that the yearly cost associated with the proposal involved an annual subscription fee of £2,380 per year over a 5 year contract, not including staffing costs.

b)            Self-Sustaining Courts: The Head of Operational Services explained that any revenue taken over the amount required to cover the maintenance of the gates and software licence will feed into a reserve-fund to go back into the upkeep of the courts. He explained that historically the Committee has been required to apply for capital in order to maintain them and that this scheme will allow the tennis courts to become self-sustaining. He informed the Committee that other authorities such as Elmbridge have implemented the scheme with success.

c)            Future Update Report: The Committee and the Chair agreed that an update report on the matter would be brought back to the Committee after a 12 month period.

d)            Communications and Marketing: It was recognised by the Committee that effective communication with residents and marketing with respect to the scheme was of paramount importance.

Following consideration, the Committee resolved (5 for, 1 against, and the Chair not voting) to:

(1)          Grant permission for officers to apply for a non-repayable grant from the Lawn Tennis Association to install gate technology to all tennis courts in the borough as set out in section four of the report.

Unanimously resolved to:

(2)          Agree to income received for use of tennis courts to be placed in the Council’s reserves and used solely for the ongoing maintenance need of the courts.

Unanimously resolved to:

(3)          Agree that £10,330 identified from section 106 funding is used to carry out maintenance and improvement works on tennis courts across the borough ahead of implementing the charging scheme.

Resolved (5 for, 1 against, and the Chair not voting) to:

(4)          Agree the fees and charges for tennis provision for 2023/24 as set out in appendix 1 to the report.

Unanimously resolved to:

(5)          Agree that the fees and charges will be reviewed annually and align to the LTA guidance and market testing of neighbouring authorities.