Agenda item

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.    Relevant Background Information

         The Committee is reminded that at its meeting in October 2014 it approved the next steps in relation to the consultation on partner agreements as set out in the report to this Committee in August 2014.  That public consultation process commenced on the 4 November 2014 and concluded on the 27 January 2015.  The process included:  

·        An online consultation and downloadable questionnaire on the policy and process. Approximately 51 unique downloads of this questionnaire occurred with a marked increased in viewings of the relevant website around the time of public meetings and during last two weeks of the consultation and seven formal written responses were submitted.

·        Three public meetings advertised in local press and on the Council’s website. Approx 30 club representatives including those from incoming council areas attended these meetings.

·        Social media posts on both Facebook and messages on Twitter.

·        Presentation and discussion of the policy and process at the council’s equality consultative forum during the public consultation period.

Members will also recall that the October 2014 Committee report on Partner Agreements informed members that recommendations would be brought back to this Committee outlining which grass pitches sites should be publically advertised as part of the implementation of the Partner Agreements process.

2       Key Issues

         Consultation findings

         As outlined, an extensive public consultation process was undertaken and this was independently facilitated.  The keys findings from the consultation process and the Council’s proposed response to them are outlined in the following table:

         Members should note that all aspects of the Partner Agreements will be subject to annual monitoring and management reporting and that an independent evaluation of all arrangements will be undertaken in year five. It is recommended therefore that based on the findings of the consultation Members should adopt the final policy.

         Selection of sites for inclusion in the process

         Members will be aware that there is limited funding for the implementation of this policy and it is therefore recommended that a phased approach to the inclusion of sites is adopted. This will allow us to monitor the effectiveness of the policy and to make any necessary changes before it is further rolled out.  It also provides us with the opportunity to obtain the additional resources required to roll it out.  The following phased approach is suggested:

         In order to identify pitches for inclusion in Phase 1, the following criteria have been applied:

·        site is not subject  to exclusion under the policy;

·        site is fit for purpose and has council owned changing facilities on it.

         Members will be aware that there is a range of agreements operate across our facilities.  Some of these agreements have not yet expired and therefore cannot be considered for inclusion at this point.  Excluding these, the following playing fields have been identified for inclusion in Phase 1:

·        Tommy Patton Playing Fields

·        Dixon Playing Fields

·        Ulidia Playing Fields

·        Orangefield Playing Fields

·        Loughside Playing Fields

·        Shore Road Playing Fields

·        Woodlands Playing Fields.

         As partner agreements are aimed at grass pitches only, the agreement for the Woodlands site will exclude the 3G pitch.  The 3G pitch will come under the Joint Management Agreement as part of the funding agreement for the GAA’s £1.1 million investment in the Pitches Strategy.

         Next Steps

         The proposed next stages in the implementation of this policy are:

3       Resource Implications

         Financial: This policy will be supported through an enhanced Support for Sport Grant aid fund which will be funded through the existing FMA payments for the 6 selected sites which total £88,921 per annum

         Human Resources: Ongoing officer time from a range of officers across the department will be dedicated to implementation and ongoing management in the medium to long term. Sport development officers have provided and will provide support to potential applicants and partners throughout the process in the form of applicant workshops in March and April 2015 and other information opportunities. 

         Asset and Other Implications: The new partner agreements will impact on the future management of assets. Legal services will continue to provide advice on this for Committee’s consideration. 

4       Equality and Good Relations Considerations

         The policy is being screened in line with the Council’s existing equality screening process and the indications are that it will be screened out with mitigating actions.  The mitigating actions are around increasing participation amount underrepresented groups including females, people with disabilities and those from an ethnic minority background.

5       Recommendations

         The Committee is asked to:

·        Agree the final policy and the amended scoring matrix, based on the consultation findings; and

·        Agree the proposed phased approach to the advertising of sites for inclusion in the process including the selection of the seven sites to be included in phase one.”

            After discussion, the Committee adopted the recommendations.