Issue - meetings

Background:

This report provided details of a proposal to close Deangate Ridge golf course on the basis of ongoing financial instability. The report also set out a proposal to begin detailed planning for the development of a new sports centre on the Hoo Peninsula to meet the modern needs of residents.

The report gave details of the annual total net budget costs for operating Deangate Ridge golf course in the past seven completed financial years and concluded that given the income generated at Deangate Ridge golf course currently compared to the running costs of the course and the national decline in golf participation, it was not possible to project a scenario where the annual net cost situation for the Council would improve materially.

The report stated that the Bowls Club would be unaffected by the proposal to close the golf course and would continue to operate from its current location. The remainder of the sports facilities at Deangate Ridge would also remain open.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been carried out on this proposal and was set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

Councillor Filmer made representations on behalf of local residents and requested that the consideration of the matter be deferred to enable consultation with the local community.

Reasons:

Currently, there is a need for an annual Council subsidy to operate the facility against a backdrop of a decline in the number of golf participants. On this basis, it is not possible to project a time when the centre will be self-sustaining.

It is the Council’s intention to provide a modern sports centre for the Hoo Peninsula, which reflects the needs of present and future residents.