NEW SPORTS PITCH COSTS AGREED

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Executive Board has approved recommendations to make the maintenance of sports pitches cost neutral.

Working with Carmarthenshire Unified Sports Committee (CUSC), the number and use of pitches and greens have been rationalised with a new charging structure, which will be introduced in a phased approach.

The agreement optimises the use of pitches, reducing the maintenance specification and encouraging a ‘self-help’ approach by clubs to reduce costs, an approach already in place in parts of the County, additionally a phased approach enables clubs and associations to develop options for self-funding by 2017/18.

A detailed report has been discussed by Executive Board, along with analysis of a wide-ranging consultation process with members of the public and the sporting community held during last summer.

Subsequent discussions with CUSC; the Carmarthenshire Association Football League (CAFL), Carmarthenshire Community Greens Bowling Association (CCGBA) and a number of rugby and cricket clubs, has resulted in a more efficient process whereby CAFL and CCGBA determine the level of fees each club or member pays.

Kevin Francis, Chair of CUSC, said: “CUSC would like to thank the Sporting Bodies that we represent and the Officers and Members of CCC for their efforts in assuring affordable, sustainable sport for all who wish to partake in the county of Carmarthenshire.
The consultation process and the resulting outcome can only be described as hugely successful.
“We look forward to working with all parties in the future to ensure that everybody involved in sport in Carmarthenshire treat each other with the respect they all deserve.”

A spokesperson for CAFL said: “CAFL have worked with CCC and CUSC to achieve our shared goal of affordable, sustainable football whilst covering the full maintenance costs of the pitches we require. We feel this has been achieved to the satisfaction of all involved and we hope that our sport can continue to develop in the county of Carmarthenshire.”

Cllr Hazel Evans, Executive Board Member for Technical Services, added: “We took the decision last year at council that we would not increase these charges until a full consultation had been carried out.
“This has now taken place and there is mutual recognition of our positions – we now understand each other better.”