Issue - meetings

The Corporate Director of Children’s Services introduced a report on a proposal for the construction of floodlit all-weather football pitches, changing room and other facilities on land adjacent to the Barking Abbey School site in Longbridge Road, Barking. 

The proposal had been developed following discussions between the management of Barking Abbey School and the company, PlayFootball.  The preferred option would require the grant of a long lease at a peppercorn rent to PlayFootball who, in return, would meet all capital and revenue costs associated with the construction and ongoing management of the facility.  The School would benefit by having exclusive, free use of the facilities during school and other times, which would help to enhance the School’s status as one of the country’s leading Sports College’s.

Cabinet agreed:

  (i)  To grant a waiver of advertising and tendering requirements in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 4.2.2 of the Council’s Contract Rules (Part D of the Constitution) and approve the appointment of PlayFootball to carry out the construction and management, at their own cost, of a dedicated all weather surface football facility and changing rooms at Barking Abbey School (Longbridge Road site), for use by the School and community on the terms and conditions set out in this report;

  (ii)  To the disposal of land shown hatched on the plan at Appendix A to the report, for the provision of a dedicated all weather surface football facility and changing rooms, to PlayFootball by way of a 35-year lease at a nominal peppercorn rent on the general terms set out in the report; and

 (iii)  To authorise the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources, in consultation with the Divisional Director of Legal and Democratic Services, to agree the detailed terms of the lease and other necessary legal documentation.