Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors J Funnell, E A Hill, T Lacey, J Lilley, C Renwick, T Reader, J Ridgway and L Stone.

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest and/or other interests, not already on their register of interests, in any items on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time. 

Councillors B Wright and G Morley declared an interest in Item 3 – Upgrade of Football Pitch and Path Installation at Sharley Park, as they were trustees of the of the Clay Cross and Danesmoor Miner’s Welfare Charity in a personal capacity. They indicated that they would withdraw from the meeting during the discussion of the item.

Report of Councillor A Powell, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Communities and Communications

The Chair explained that this additional meeting had been called so that the Council could exercise its responsibilities as Trustee of the Clay Cross and Danesmoor Miner’s Welfare Recreation Ground Charity, by virtue of a Charity Commission Order dated 8 September 1988. Members were informed that this charity is subdivided into two further charities, one of which is the Recreation Ground Charity. The order stipulates that the object of the Recreation Ground Charity is “to provide and maintain in the interests of social welfare a recreation ground for the benefit of the inhabitants of 6h4 Parish of Clay Cross and the neighbourhood thereof without distinction of political, religious or other opinions, with the object if improving the conditions or life for the said inhabitants”.

The report to Council proposed that the Council now exercise its trustee responsibilities and agree to install and maintain a high standard 3G pitch and a ‘measured mile’ footpath/cycle path across trust land in Clay Cross.

Members were informed that in January 2022 the Council had agreed investment in the Sharley Park Leisure Centre redevelopment in line with the masterplan contained within the report. The Council managed and operated the entire site but two parcels of land were owned by Clay Cross & Danesmoor Miner’s Welfare Recreation Ground Charity of which the Council acted as a Trustee.

Council noted that they had to act within the best interests of the charity and the beneficiaries of the Charity and that the Council would hold the legal responsibility for maintaining the pitch. Members heard that there were no anticipated maintenance costs or liabilities for the Charity.

Councillor A Powell and Councillor C Cupit moved and seconded a motion to install a 3G pitch and footpath/cycle path.

The motion was put to a vote and agreed.

RESOLVED – That Council

1.               As trustee agreed to the upgrade of the existing football pitch with the installation of a 3G pitch (and associated infrastructure) operated and installed by North East Derbyshire District Council or its contractors.

2.               That the Council as trustee agreed to the installation of a footpath/cycle path across trust land installed by North East Derbyshire District Council or its contractors.

To consider any other matter which the Chair is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.

There was no Chair’s urgent business. The Chair declared the meeting closed.