Issue - meetings

This Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP Council) Playing Pitch Strategy replaces the previous Playing Pitch Strategies for the former Bournemouth Borough Council, Christchurch Borough Council and Borough of Poole areas and covers the period between 2020 and 2033 in alignment with the emerging new Local Plan.  The strategy, which is compliant with Sport England guidance, focuses on current provision and future need for football, rugby union, cricket and hockey pitches (both grass and artificial surfaces). 

RESOLVED that the Playing Pitch Strategy (2020 – 2033) is formally adopted by BCP Council.

Voting: Unanimous

Reason

The Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) plays a number of important roles in sport, leisure and planning terms and has a direct link into the health and wellbeing agenda both in relation to formal club based sport and social, casual and informal sport, aimed at getting people more active (with positive outcomes for health and well-being). The PPS provides an audit of the quality, quantity and accessibility of playing pitches, establishes current levels of demand and whether pitches are being over/under-used. Using population forecasts, the PPS projects forward demand likely to arise by the end of the strategy period so that the appropriate level of pitch provision can be planned and developed for the future.

The PPS provides Planning Officers with an assessment tool and evidence to help protect, mitigate for loss and lever developer contributions towards planned facilities to meet the future needs of a growing population.

The Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Leisure and Culture presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'I' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that this Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP Council) Playing Pitch Strategy replaces the previous Playing Pitch Strategies for the former Bournemouth Borough Council, Christchurch Borough Council and Borough of Poole areas and covers the period between 2020 and 2033 in alignment with the emerging new Local Plan.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that the strategy, which is compliant with Sport England guidance, focuses on current provision and future need for football, rugby union, cricket and hockey pitches (both grass and artificial surfaces). 

Councillor Felicity Rice addressed the Cabinet highlighting that the sports provision often assumed that people used a car to access these areas, and that more emphasis should be made to access in more sustainable ways.

RESOLVED that the Playing Pitch Strategy (2020 – 2033) is formally adopted by BCP Council.

Voting: Unanimous