Agenda item

INTRODUCTION OF CHARGES FOR THE USE OF GREENSPACES

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR - PLACE

 

To approve the introduction of charging for the hire of parks and public open spaces including multi use games areas, (Muga’s) events or specific club activities.

Decision:

Prior to the item being considered Councillor Paul Clark declared a declarable interest in that he was one of the Council’s representatives to the King George V Playing Fields User Group. He was also the Vice President of the Hitchin Rugby Club that played at the King George V Playing Fields. He advised that he would not take part in the debate or vote and would leave the room for the duration of the item.

 

Prior to the item being considered Councillor Judi Billing declared a declarable interest in that she was a member of the Cabinet Sub-Committee (Council Charities). She advised that she would not take part in the debate or vote and would leave the room for the duration of the item.

 

Prior to the item being considered Councillor Steve Jarvis declared a declarable interest in that he was a member of the Cabinet Sub-Committee (Council Charities). He advised that he would not take part in the debate or vote and would leave the room for the duration of the item.

 

Prior to the item being considered Councillor Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg declared a declarable interest in that she was a member of the Cabinet Sub-Committee (Council Charities). She advised that she would not take part in the debate or vote and would leave the room for the duration of the item.

 

Prior to the item being considered Councillor Ian Albert declared a declarable interest in that he was one of the Council’s representatives to the King George V Playing Fields User Group. He advised that he would remain in the room and take part in the debate and vote.

 

Councillors Billing, Clark, Dennis-Harburg and Jarvis left the room.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(1)     That the introduction of charges for the hire of multi use games areas and for the use of public open spaces for events at weekends and after 6pm on weekdays be approved as detailed in paragraphs:

10.2a      One off public events in parks and open spaces;

10.2b      Hire of Multi Use Games Areas;

10.2c      Fitness Groups use of parks and open spaces;

 

(2)       The introduction of Fees and Charges for the hire of the Muga at King George V Recreation Ground at weekends and after 6pm on weekdays will only be adopted upon the approval of the Cabinet Sub - Committee (Council Charities).

 

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

 

(1)       The introduction of charges for the use of Muga’s will help manage demand and off set the ongoing running costs especially in relation to the use of the flood lights;

 

(2)       The charging for events that use our public open spaces will help offset the administrative costs of issuing a Land Licence for each event and contribute towards ongoing maintenance costs of each location;

 

(3)       Many of our open spaces are used for private businesses for their own commercial purposes such as fitness groups and dog walking companies. These businesses are using the open spaces free of charge and are not currently contributing towards the maintenance of the public open spaces that they use.

Minutes:

Audio recording – 1 hour 17 minutes 10 seconds

 

Prior to the item being considered Councillor Paul Clark declared a declarable interest in that he was one of the Council’s representatives to the King George V Playing Fields User Group. He was also the Vice President of the Hitchin Rugby Club that played at the King George V Playing Fields. He advised that he would not take part in the debate or vote and would leave the room for the duration of the item.

 

Prior to the item being considered Councillor Judi Billing declared a declarable interest in that she was a member of the Cabinet Sub-Committee (Council Charities). She advised that she would not take part in the debate or vote and would leave the room for the duration of the item.

 

Prior to the item being considered Councillor Steve Jarvis declared a declarable interest in that he was a member of the Cabinet Sub-Committee (Council Charities). He advised that he would not take part in the debate or vote and would leave the room for the duration of the item.

 

Prior to the item being considered Councillor Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg declared a declarable interest in that she was a member of the Cabinet Sub-Committee (Council Charities). She advised that she would not take part in the debate or vote and would leave the room for the duration of the item.

 

Prior to the item being considered Councillor Ian Albert declared a declarable interest in that he was one of the Council’s representatives to the King George V Playing Fields User Group. He advised that he would remain in the room and take part in the debate and vote.

 

Councillors Billing, Clark, Dennis-Harburg and Jarvis left the room.

 

The Service Manager Greenspaces presented the report entitled Introduction of Charges for the Use of Greenspaces together with the following appendix:

 

·                Appendix A – Proposed process for managing the charging of Multi Use Games Areas and Events.

 

The Service Manager Greenspace advised that:

 

·                Clubs would pay for use, however when not in use by a club the space would be free to use for members of the public;

·                NHDC incurred the cost of maintaining the areas and floodlighting;

·                This was an opportunity to reflect the current economic situation and generate approximately £10,000 of income;

 

The following Members asked questions and took part in the debate:

 

·                     Councillor Ian Albert;

·                     Councillor Keith Hoskins:

·                     Councillor Gary Grindal.

 

In response to questions the Service Manager – Greenspace advised that:

 

·                Policies were already in place to charge fairs;

·                NHDC would rely on the honesty and integrity of football clubs however, Grounds Maintenance would be challenging groups that they see using an area;

·                Historically bookings were after work therefore did not generally have bookings before 5pm on weekdays;

·                The proposals would not affect current practices regarding charging for football pitches.

 

Members were concerned that the areas be free to use, particularly for school children, late afternoon and early evening on weekdays.

 

It was proposed by Councillor Keith Hoskins that bookings only be taken after 6pm on weekdays.

 

It was moved by Councillor Martin Stears-Handscomb, seconded by Councillor Ian Albert and:

 

RESOLVED:

 

(1)     That the introduction of charges for the hire of multi use games areas and for the use of public open spaces for events at weekends and after 6pm on weekdays be approved as detailed in paragraphs:

10.2a      One off public events in parks and open spaces;

10.2b      Hire of Multi Use Games Areas;

10.2c      Fitness Groups use of parks and open spaces;

 

(2)       The introduction of Fees and Charges for the hire of the Muga at King George V Recreation Ground at weekends and after 6pm on weekdays will only be adopted upon the approval of the Cabinet Sub - Committee (Council Charities).

 

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

 

(1)       The introduction of charges for the use of Muga’s will help manage demand and off set the ongoing running costs especially in relation to the use of the flood lights;

 

(2)       The charging for events that use our public open spaces will help offset the administrative costs of issuing a Land Licence for each event and contribute towards ongoing maintenance costs of each location;

 

(3)       Many of our open spaces are used for private businesses for their own commercial purposes such as fitness groups and dog walking companies. These businesses are using the open spaces free of charge and are not currently contributing towards the maintenance of the public open spaces that they use.

Supporting documents: