Issue details

External investment of £206,426.94 has been secured and accepted from the LTA to investment in refurbishment of Tennis Courts in 4 Parks. This investment is for remedial works to bring 19 courts over the 4 sites up to an excellent standard. This has been agreed by Head of Service, Service Director and Portfolio Holder.

The refurbishment work will be carried out by the LTA’s approved and appointed contractors under their call off contract and framework agreement, as stipulated in the conditions of the grant. A decision to enter into such works contract has been approved by our Service Director.

Another condition of the grant is that the Council must commit to maintaining standards as part of the agreement. This is extremely positive in terms of access to high quality provision for our communities within our parks, but given the Council’s financial challenges, we must as a result review and more closely manage the current charging system, which will create a sinking fund to sustain the quality of provision and meet the needs of the agreement obligations.

The existing charges for the use of our Tennis Courts have not been consistently implemented and we are looking to amend and implement this charging for Parks Tennis Courts in the following Parks: Greenhead, Wilton, Firth, Crow Nest.

Our current charging rates do include an agreed charging rate of £7 per hour. The new proposal is to lower this fee but be more consistent in application and collection.

The £5 figure was reached utilising the LTA modelling to understand how participation and income may look.

We will also provide weekly ‘free’ sessions and aim explore other concessions in the future. Furthermore, there will be regular coaching and engagement sessions for the community.

Bookings and charges will be made through the existing 3rd Party online booking system used (Clubspark). This is also a stipulation of the LTA funding agreement. Initially we will look to administer these bookings ourselves but once this settles, we will explore if we want to continue in this arrangement or seek a concessions contract / operator to manage it for us at a later date.

A maintenance sinking fund will be created through the income generated, which will allow us to maintain the 19 courts to the agreed LTA standards as per funding agreement obligations.

If we don’t capitalise on this external investment, the alternative is likely that we will no longer have the resources to maintain the courts and they may continue to fall into disrepair and potentially must close.