A report updating the Committee on the implementation of the Council’s Playing Pitch Strategy.

The Committee considered a report giving an update on the implementation of the Council’s Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS), which had been approved by Committee on 10 November 2021 (Minute 26 refers), and which identified expected changes to meet demand for certain pitch-based sports. The Council was committed to endeavour to provide sufficient sports pitches, subject to available funding, to accommodate the predicted demand up to 2036 for Football, Cricket, Rugby, Hockey, Lacrosse, Gaelic Football and Australian Rules Football.

The report explained that football was by far the sport played by the greatest number of participants, with circa 284 teams based in Reading, and that football played by female players continued to see the largest growth. Demand for football pitches fluctuated from year to year and small changes were being proposed to the format of youth football. The supply of pitches had been tailored to meet the demand that was being experienced and was expected in the forthcoming season. Space for pitches was retained where current demand was less than anticipated in the longer term. Changes made and progress made in delivering the strategy are identified in Appendix 1 to the report.

The report confirmed that implementation of the Playing Pitch Strategy was being delivered as anticipated, and highlighted the achievements, progress to date and future plans for football, cricket, rugby union, hockey, artificial pitches and provision for Gaelic Football, Australian Rules Football and Lacrosse.

Resolved:

(1)      That the ongoing implementation of the Playing Pitch Strategy leading to year-on-year improvements in provision including converting some adult football pitches to junior pitches at Cintra Park be noted;

(2)      That the demand for cricket pitches be revisited with the Berkshire Cricket Foundation as squares were reopened over the next three years as demand could change as more local facilities became available;

(3)      That sports other than cricket and football continue to be accommodated in existing provision in and around Reading.