Issue - meetings

To consider a review of the operation of Pitcheroak Golf Course over the previous 18 months and the options for future provision.

(Report attached)

RECOMMENDED that

1)         the arrangement with the Worcestershire Golf Partnership be extended for a further 12 month period to work up a medium/long term operating solution, with negotiations commencing immediately; and

RESOLVED that

2)         a service review of the non golf related elements of the operation be undertaken; and

3)         the report be noted.

(The referral report from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had been accepted as a matter of Urgent Business –not having met the publication deadline – and was considered at the meeting as such, with the approval of the Chair, in accordance with the Council’s constitutional rules and the powers vested in the Chair by virtue of Section 100 (B) (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972 to agree to matters of urgency being discussed by reason of special circumstances.

In this case the special circumstances were that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting post-dated the agenda despatch and the referral report needed to be considered at the present meeting to have any bearing on the decision-making process in respect of this matter.)

Officers reported that the present 18 month operating arrangement with the Worcestershire Golf Partnership was near its end and updated Members on  the performance of the Partnership to date.

The Committee was informed that the Partnership had done a good job with the course, increasing membership at a time when memberships nationally were falling and, in particular, achieving a very significant increase in the numbers of junior members and younger (under 30 years of age) members. These increases had come against a backdrop of inclement weather both in the summer and winter time which served to emphasise the good performance of the Partnership.

Members were advised that the Partnership was generally not in the business of running golf courses and this was the first occasion on which they had undertaken a venture of this nature. The Partnership was seeking a further 12 month extension to the current arrangement in order that the benefits they had brought to the course could properly be assessed. It was anticipated that the work the Partnership was undertaking would accrue further benefit to the Council in due course. Members were very appreciative of the Partnership’s efforts in making a success of the golf course and were keen that the arrangement might be continued.

RECOMMENDED that

1)         the arrangement with the Worcestershire Golf Partnership be extended for a further 12 month period to work up a medium/long term operating solution, with negotiations commencing immediately; and

RESOLVED that

2)         a service review of the non golf related elements of the operation be undertaken; and

3)         the report be noted.

(The referral report from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had been accepted as a matter of Urgent Business –not having met the publication deadline – and was considered at the meeting as such, with the approval of the Chair, in accordance with the Council’s constitutional rules and the powers vested in the Chair by virtue of Section 100 (B) (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972 to agree to matters of urgency being discussed by reason of special circumstances.

In this case the special circumstances were that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting post-dated the agenda despatch and the referral report needed to be considered at the present meeting to have any bearing on the decision-making process in respect of this matter.)