Issue - meetings

This report sets out the background to the removal of the Kingsway West Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) and the commitment of the Council to reinstate a new and enhanced MUGA within the Westfield Ward.

Resolved:

(i)           That Option 1 be agreed:

·          That delegated authority be given to the Director of Customer and Communities to apply for planning permission for the new scheme.

·          That the Director of Customer and Communities, in consultation with the Director of Governance, appoint the contractor to undertake the works, in accordance with the council’s contract procedure rules, and subject to the project being deliverable within the available budget and planning permission being received.

Reason: To secure the reinstatement of a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) in the Westfield Ward and to help meet the increasing demand for artificial grass pitches and accessible sports facilities for young people in the area.

The Executive Member considered a report that set out the background to the removal of the Kingsway West Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) and the commitment of the Council to reinstate a new and enhanced MUGA within the Westfield Ward.

The Community Sports Development Manager provided a brief update, noting that:

·        In March 2019 the Executive had made a commitment that alternative recreational facilities would be provided within the Westfield Ward community, in mitigation to the loss of the MUGA at Kingsway West.

·        A budget of £200k was approved by Full Council on 25 February 2021.

·        An approach was made to York Acorn Amateur Rugby League Sports and Social Club, which was less than half a mile away on foot from the old site. They had expressed their approval for the new MUGA to be situated on their site off Thanet Road.

·        The potential new MUGA could be in the region of 30mx45m, providing a significantly larger multi-use space than the one that had been removed.

·        The planning application would be for an artificial grass pitch, with flood lighting and fencing to support the sports of rugby league and football but could also be used for other active leisure opportunities and informal play.

·        The local community had been consulted throughout the initial plans of the proposed development and recent consultation was also carried out through Foxwood Residents Association and at Foxwood Community Centre. Many of the detailed features of the facility and its opening hours would be developed in response to feedback received.

·        Consultation had also taken place with Sport England, The Rugby Football League and the North Riding County Football Association and they had all offered their support to move forward.

The Executive Member commended all those that had been involved in the process, particularly officers and the Westfield and Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Ward Councillors. He noted that the old MUGA was missed by local residents and he agreed that the new larger site would create great opportunities for the community. He welcomed the investment and thanked officers for the local consultation that had taken place.

Resolved:

(i)           That Option 1 be agreed:

·          That delegated authority be given to the Director of Customer and Communities to apply for planning permission for the new scheme.

·          That the Director of Customer and Communities, in consultation with the Director of Governance, appoint the contractor to undertake the works, in accordance with the council’s contract procedure rules, and subject to the project being deliverable within the available budget and planning permission being received.

Reason: To secure the reinstatement of a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) in the Westfield Ward and to help meet the increasing demand for artificial grass pitches and accessible sports facilities for young people in the area.