Question
In the Berks and Bucks Football Foundation web based report, entitled - Local Football Facility Plan - Wokingham (but not dated), it has, as a 5th of 20 priorities, a recommendation for a 3G pitch in the Earley area with the statement that “A preferred site is to be confirmed, multiple potential options exist such as Laurel Park and Chalfont Park.”
In the Minutes of the Executive Meeting of the 25th June 2021, under Agenda item 9 - Implementing the Leisure Strategy – sub-item 3, it was explicitly Resolved to allocate £300,000 funding for a 3G pitch at Laurel Park (page 19 in Minutes). And the Medium Range Financial Forecast approved at the last Council meeting allocates £600,000 of capital to Laurel Park 3G Pitch on page 103.
How did WBC’s Leisure Services get from a simple suggestion as one of multiple options with no needs analysis, residential consultation, value for money assessment or other justification in a third-party report to the explicit designation of £600,000 for a new 3G pitch at Laurel Park in budget allocations?
Minutes:
Question
In the Berks and Bucks Football Foundation web based report, entitled - Local Football Facility Plan - Wokingham (but not dated), it has, as a 5th of 20 priorities, a recommendation for a 3G pitch in the Earley area with the statement that “A preferred site is to be confirmed, multiple potential options exist such as Laurel Park and Chalfont Park.”
In the Minutes of the Executive Meeting of the 25th June 2021, under Agenda item 9 - Implementing the Leisure Strategy – sub-item 3, it was explicitly Resolved to allocate £300,000 funding for a 3G pitch at Laurel Park (page 19 in Minutes). And the Medium Range Financial Forecast approved at the last Council meeting allocates £600,000 of capital to Laurel Park 3G Pitch on page 103.
How did WBC’s Leisure Services get from a simple suggestion as one of multiple options with no needs analysis, residential consultation, value for money assessment or other justification in a third-party report to the explicit designation of £600,000 for a new 3G pitch at Laurel Park in budget allocations?
Answer
Mike, thank you for your question.
I believe that you are a Liberal Democrat candidate for the local elections and an Earley Town Councillor.
The answer is very simple. It was the enthusiasm displayed by the Leader of Earley town Council, Clive Jones to have a 3G pitch located in Laurel Park. He was actively promoting it.
On 8th December 2020 the day after the Cantley Park 3G pitch was announced Clive Jones wrote to the Borough Council:
“ NEW FUNDING TO REVAMP CANTLEY PARK’S FACILITIES
Hi,
This is very good news.
How are discussions going with them about Laurel Park? It would be great to have something similar there.
Can we have an update chat?
Best wishes,
Clive”
Several meetings were subsequently held with Clive Jones or ETC; two in January 2021; one in March 2021; one in August 2021. Unsurprisingly Officers assumed that the Leader of Earley Town Council was speaking on behalf of Earley Town Council and also the residents and that the Leader of the Lib Dem Group was speaking on behalf of the Liberal Democrat Borough Councillors.
I was amazed to find Councillor Jones write that Earley Town Council had never discussed this proposal which was confirmed by the Earley Town Mayor. Maybe the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Wokingham, the Leader of the LibDem Group at Wokingham Borough Council and the Leader of Earley Town Council are three independent people who do not confer with one another?
Mike, this is election season, but it is not an excuse for false flag episodes or electoral stunts particularly at this moment when residents need to have confidence in the Council.
It is similar to the claim that the Local Plan Update Consultation proposes provision for 16,000 new homes over the next twenty years. It is a lie. The period is 1st April 2018 to 31st March 2038. First of all, the number should be 15,513 of which 3,900 are already built and a further 8900 are either permitted, adopted allocations or windfalls) The plan actually assumes a total of 3,910 new homes a figure significantly different from 16,000.
For the 3G pitch, the Borough Council has not made a decision as to where to locate it and even whether a suitable site exists; so that there is nothing to oppose.
I am in agreement with the residents that Laurel Park is not suitable and whilst I head the administration, I will be strongly against a 3G pitch in Laurel Park. When the 3G pitch options analysis is considered by executive in the summer, I will be voting against the Laurel Park site. Indeed, I will be promoting Laurel Park as a designated green space to protect it ad infinitum.