Issue - meetings

A Wiltshire Council Playing Pitch Strategy is currently being developed to support the Wiltshire Core Strategy and the need for a single Wiltshire-wide open spaces standard.

The formation of Wiltshire Council as a Unitary Authority highlighted a lack of consistency between the former districts’ playing pitch strategies, policies and underlying evidence bases covering different parts of Wiltshire, several of which date back to the early 2000’s.

The Committee  will be informed of the progress of the draft Wiltshire Playing Pitch Strategy; and is asked to comment on the draft strategy and endorsement of its production.

A Wiltshire Council Playing Pitch Strategy is currently being developed to support the Wiltshire Core Strategy and the need for a single Wiltshire-wide open spaces standard.

Cllr Jerry Kunkler presented to the draft Wiltshire Playing Pitch Strategy to the committee and invited them to comment and give its endorsement to the draft.

Questions were asked as to why certain, less well known sports, such as touch rugby and walking football had not been included in the strategy. The Strategy Officers explained that no- contact sports, such as those listed, were included in the strategy but did not feature in the formal statistics because they are generally non-competitive sports.

It was also noted by committee members that some playing pitches and clubs had been missed out, specifically, Wilton Playing Pitch. The Officers noted these points and said that they would look at including Wilton Playing Pitch and any others brought to their attention.

A technical question was asked on the application of the strategy to when Councils are looking at applications for other leisure schemes and use of open spaces, for example development or Performing Art Centres. The Officers explained that the strategy gives guidance for applications of that nature and it gives a baseline for looking at the needs of a particular community. The Officers assured members that there was a steering group, with dedicated staff, looking into community leisure needs and they could be contacted with any specific issues or questions.

After further questions, it was made clear that Wiltshire Council were willing to do all that they could to support sport and would work with any club that was willing and able to build their resources.

Resolved

To endorse the draft Wiltshire Playing Pitch Strategy with comments made.

For the Environment Select Committee to receive annual updates on the development of the Wiltshire Playing Pitch Strategy.