Issue - meetings

To receive and consider the report of the Deputy Chief Executive (enclosed).

1.    To grant approval to consult on the Open Space, Sports and Recreation Strategy Action Plan at Appendix 1.

2.    To delegate to the Executive Member for Economic Development and Public Service Reform formal adoption of the final version of the action plan subject to no significant alternations being made.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Member (Economic Development and Public Service Reform), presented the report of the Deputy Chief Executive which seeks to grant approval to consult on the draft Open Space, Sports and Recreation Strategy (OSSR) Action Plan and where there are no significant amendments or additions, to grant adoption of the plan through Executive Member decision.

In order to support the preparation of the new Central Lancashire Local Plan, consultants Knight, Kavanagh and Page Ltd were commissioned by the three councils of Preston, South Ribble and Chorley to produce evidence detailing the need for open space, sports and recreation provision. The evidence will be used to inform future investment decisions including where developer contributions are required and how they should be used to meet future demand in the Borough through to 2036.

The consultants worked with many stakeholders including sports clubs, teams, parish councils, ward members, national governing bodies, and organisations to produce robust, accurate data which has been distilled into a Chorley Action Plan spanning from 2020-2036. It is proposed to reconsult with these key stakeholders and Members were encouraged to assist with this where links to the groups existed.

Members welcomed the report, in particular how it supported the green agenda through natural greenspaces, wildlife corridors, and woodland management.

Decision:

1.    To grant approval to consult on the Open Space, Sports and Recreation Strategy Action Plan at Appendix 1.

2.    To delegate to the Executive Member for Economic Development and Public Service Reform formal adoption of the final version of the action plan subject to no significant alternations being made.

Reasons for recommendation(s):

Consultation of the document will ensure that the action plan is robust and has the longevity needed to support the forthcoming Local Plan.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

To not refresh the Open Space, Sports and Recreation Strategy, which was rejected on the basis that it would not enable a plan-led approach to improving open spaces and would not support the Local Plan process.