Decision details

The Physical Activity and Health Development Manager introduced the report and advised that Stroud District Council (SDC) had been successful in receiving £115,670.10 from the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) for improvements to Stratford Park Leisure Centre tennis courts. The total cost needed for the redevelopment was £127,670.10, this would be made up from thr funding rom the LTA, Active Gloucestershire (£5k) and SDC’s Health & Wellbeing budget (£7k). The refurbishment included all six courts being resurfaced, new nets and posts, new fencing where needed and a gate access entry system. Additionally, a tennis development programme was being established to increase participation.

Councillor Tucker asked for more detail relating to disability access. The Physical Activity and Development Manager advised all gates would be wheelchair accessible, it was confirmed that currently the top and bottom courts were accessible and future work would need to be undertaken regarding access to the middle courts as they could only be accessed via steps.

Councillor J Jones questioned if there would be any additional costs over the £7k allocated by SDC in the event more fencing would be needed. The Physical Activity and Development Manager advised that the contractors had carefully factored all costs including what fencing needed to be replaced and therefore there would not be any further costs to SDC.

Councillor Robinson asked if a Gloucestershire contractor was being used for the project. The Physical Health and Development Manager explained the main contractor for the court replacement wasn’t local as the contractor needed to be from the LTA’s recognised suppliers, however the contractor for the gate system was based in Cirencester.

Proposed by Councillor Robinson and Seconded by Councillor Job.

The Chair, Councillor Brine informed Committee of a typo in the report and proposed Committee make a friendly amendment to change the year from ‘2022’ to ‘2023’. Committee agreed unanimously to the friendly amendment.

Councillor Craig thanked the Officers for their quick turnaround in the work that had already been done.

Councillor Job advised members that Alicia Barnett, a Painswick resident currently competing in the Australian Open and whether she could be an ambassador for Stroud to encourage young people into tennis.

Councillor Tucker queried if the contractors could deliver the project by the end of March. The Physical Health and Development Manager confirmed.

On being put to the vote, the Motion was passed unanimously.