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V25-173 : KIRKLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL - ALL-WEATHER COURTS

The Director of Community Services reported that the management agreement with Suffolk County Council for the all weather courts at Kirkley Middle School had been in place since 1 May 1984. The terms of the agreement required that running and maintenance costs, estimated to be £5,850 for the 1996/97 financial year, be shared by both authorities. In return for the Council's contribution the community had use of the courts in the evenings, weekends and during school holiday periods.

The existing astro-turf surfaces had come to the end of their life expectancy and the quoted replacement cost was £36,000. Given the present arrangements this would commit the Council to a capital expenditure of £18,000 for the 1998/99 financial year, although should lottery funding be secured this may off-set the cost to some degree.

A working group of officers from Suffolk County Council, Kirkley Middle School and the Council had met regularly over the past twelve months to assess the success of the existing arrangements and the short and long term viability of continuing with these arrangements. The conclusion of the group was that although the all weather courts provided a much needed service in 1984, developments at Kirkley High School and the facilities now available at the Waveney Sports and Leisure Centre could accommodate the local needs quite adequately.

Being a "stand-alone" facility management arrangements were difficult and expensive, thus the £5,850 estimated deficit, and security of the school premises was a concern with a sharp increase in vandalism over recent years. It was also appreciated that the usage level was low with no possibility of recovering the cost of replacing the astro-turf surfaces. The working group therefore felt that the replacement cost could not be justified and that the all weather courts should return to school use only from 1 July 1997.

RESOLVED

That the existing agreement between the Council and Suffolk County Council be terminated and the all-weather courts at Kirkley Middle School return to school use only from 1 July 1997.

The meeting was concluded at 8.40 pm.

CHAIRMAN


Volume 25 Minute 172

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