Agenda item

Councillor Cooper expressed concern that CIL items should not be discussed with the exclusion of the press and public and instead should be discussed openly.

Councillor Cooper queried the amounts proposed to be awarded to Batchworth Sea Scouts and 1^st Chorleywood Scouts HQ.

Kimberley Rowley Head of Regulatory Services, clarified that two quotes were submitted by Batchworth Sea Scouts, only items relating to Strategic Infrastructure were taken forward and officers considered the highest quote with ineligible items removed. A discrepancy in the cost of the Asbestos removal was noted.

Backbench Councillor Reed stated that Batchworth Sea Scouts had submitted a well written application and was a model example of what an application contains. The application will reflect a real change in the community.

Members queried whether an application either successful or unsuccessful would be able to reapply, it was noted that the applicants would be welcome to reapply, and each application would be considered on its own merits, and potential inflationary costs would be considered.

Members heard from Andy Dalgliesh on behalf of the Rickmansworth Cricket Club

            “Rickmansworth Cricket Club is committed to creating a legacy, the facilities of the club are substandard, and the community does not appreciate the unique setting the facilities holds. Rickmansworth Cricket Club could be the best venue in the country. Kids are travelling to play at other grounds due to massive flooding issues that could be fixed with a converse drainage system. One team played one home game out of 10, even with the good weather umpires did not want to continue as there was standing water on the field. The youth sector is booming but Rickmansworth Cricket Club is losing kids to other clubs as the club cannot give them the facilities they deserve. The changing facilities require improvement and women and girls who use the football pitch can also use the facilities. Disabled access needs improvement and sporting options to those with mobility issues. Rickmansworth Cricket Club can be a massive community asset, and it will be very sad if it does not go ahead.”

 It was noted by Kimberley Rowley Head of Regulatory Services, that officers had requested further information from the club that they did not receive. The Environment Agency had not been consulted at the time of the application and planning permission had not yet been granted for all the works. No match funding had been secured however there had been a lot of local support.

Councillor Lloyd offered to advise Rickmansworth Cricket Club outside of the committee and work together to improve the clubs standing.

Councillor Cooper queried the score Rickmansworth Cricket Club was given and expressed concern that this fell to not securing matched funding. It was clarified by Kimberley Rowley Head of Regulatory Services that any further information following the papers being published had not been received. Match funding does not affect the issues relating to planning permission and the Environment Agency.

Members advised the applicant to resubmit the application for the next round of CIL funding. Councillor Cooper raised a motion to amend the recommendations to approve the Rickmansworth Cricket Club application and increase the payment. The motion was rejected following legal advice from the Deputy Monitoring Officer.

The recommendations in the report were agreed by general assent.