Agenda item

Consider report by the Chief Financial Officer  presenting   the findings of a survey conducted at thirteen of the Authority’s pitches not covered by PPP contracts or lifecycle maintenance arrangements.  (Copy attached.)

There had been circulated copies of a report by the Chief Financial Officer presenting the findings of a survey conducted at thirteen of the Authority’s synthetic pitches not covered by PPP contracts or lifecycle maintenance arrangements.   The report recommended that the Council establish a “Synthetic Pitch Replacement Fund” similar to the existing Plant and Vehicle Fund to finance the future upkeep and replacement of these existing facilities and any new pitches constructed in future.  This would ensure a consistent approach to the upkeep and replacement of all pitches not maintained under a private public partnership agreement.  There had been concern for some time regarding the deteriorating condition of synthetic pitches in situ across the Borders.  No source of finance existed to provide for their upkeep and replacement.  An external company - Sportslabs - was therefore commissioned in May 2016 to undertake a survey of the thirteen synthetic pitches across the region.  The purpose of the survey was to assess the current performance, condition and residual life expectancy of these facilities and recommend a new fully costed strategy for their upkeep.   The results of the survey had been used by the Council’s Quantity Surveyor to prepare a cost estimate and spend profile that would allow, if adopted, the future proofing of these facilities to an acceptable standard and ensure the safe operation of the synthetic surfaces.  It was proposed that a Synthetic Pitch Replacement Fund would be established with annual revenue budget contributions made to the Fund to finance the future replacement of surfaces and fences.  Only the facilities listed in the report would be eligible for replacement from the fund at this stage.  Future pitches, currently being delivered with the assistance of SportScotland under the pitch replacement programme, would be included in the Fund when they became operational.  It was recommended the 2016/17 funding requirements were funded from the Loans Charges budget and the future years capital and revenue requirements were prioritised as part of the 2017/18 Financial Planning process.  The Chief Financial Officer answered questions relating to the inspections undertaken and he advised he would ascertain whether the works needed at Clovenfords and West Linton Primary Schools could be covered by any contractual obligation.  There were no definite dates for repairs to pitches to be made other than they would be carried out during 2016/17. 

DECISION

AGREED:-

(a)       to note  the condition of the 13 astro-turf pitches surveyed as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report,  the immediate costs of bringing these existing facilities up to an acceptable standard and the future financial implications of properly life-cycling all astro-turf facilities;

(b)       to approve  the future financing strategy proposed through the establishment of a Synthetic Pitch Replacement Fund;

(c)       to approve 2016/17 virement from Loans Charges budget to fund the immediate requirement in Revenue and Capital; and

(d)       that the future financial consequences for existing and planned pitches would require to be addressed and prioritised as part of the financial planning process in 2017/18 and future years.

MEMBER

Councillor Parker returned to the meeting during discussion of the following item.