DISCUSSIONS ONGOING ON SPORTS PITCHES ASSET TRANSFER

Discussions are ongoing for the transfer of sports pitches to town and community councils and sporting associations in Carmarthenshire.

Pitches in parks in Kidwelly and Pontyberem have already been taken over and the transfer of a number of other facilities are almost complete.

Council officers recently met with representatives of Carmarthenshire Unified Sports Committee (CUSC) and Carmarthenshire Association Football League (CAFL) to discuss their concerns regarding the asset transfer and maintenance costs.

A financial package has been agreed by the council’s Executive Board for the transfer of sports pitches (as well as parks and playgrounds) currently maintained by the council.

It includes a one-off contribution to future maintenance based on two years’ maintenance costs if the transfer is completed before the March 31 2017, dropping down to a single payment if the transfer is completed before March 31 2018. There will be no contribution after that date.

In addition funding of up to £10,000 per organisation will be available either to improve facilities, or to be used as match funding for grants.

Concerns were also raised by members of CUSC regarding the standard of the soil used in recent works carried out on pitches in Burry Port, Trallwm, Dafen, Penygaer, Penyfan and Crown Park in Seaside in Llanelli.

The council’s grounds maintenance team has investigated and agreed the soil provided was sub-standard. The contractor has been instructed to carry out remedial works as a priority and has agreed to replace the affected areas with turf.

A further meeting with CUSC will now be held at the end of the month with Deputy Leader Cllr David Jenkins who is the Executive Board Member responsible for land and asset management, and the Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Hazel Evans.

Cllr Evans said: “We have been in negotiations with a number of town and community councils and sporting organisations for some time; and generally these have been very positive.

“A couple of parks have already been transferred and others are due to be finalised shortly. We will continue to work with other town and community councils and sporting associations to encourage local management.”

Cllr Jenkins added: “Unfortunately, we cannot afford to continue to maintain the pitches. We have put together a package, which we think is fair and reasonable, and hope that other councils and groups will take this opportunity to work with us.”