Sports Strategy Operations Group

8 October 2024 Meeting Minutes

Introductions

The chair Joyce Guthrie Assistant Director for Leisure, Community & Culture at Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council welcomed the everyone to the meeting.

Agree minutes from previous meeting

The minutes from the April 2024 meeting were agreed as a true record by the group.

Update on the local plan – Matt Wilson WHBC Planning Policy

The Council has agreed a timetable for the preparation of a New Local Plan.  The timetable is set out in a document called the Local Development Scheme (LDS); link available below. There is an ongoing early engagement consultation taking place asking residents for their thoughts on opportunities and challenges, as well as their aspirations for the borough.  This exercise is to help shape the new local plan vision.  The formal stages of consultation will start in 2025 and continue into 2026.

 Timeline for Our Local Plan

Roy Warren asked for an update about the plans for updating the evidence base in the strategy. Joyce confirmed we are waiting for sign off then we will be collecting this evidence. Roy Warren said he is happy to offer any help and advice.

Update on Gosling master plan – Geoff Sampson Assistant Director (Regeneration and Economic Development)

The Council have been investigating the potential to improvements to the Gosling site by working with GLL to release some of the site for residential development. This would release funding via the marriage value of the freehold and the leasehold interests. Unfortunately, after extensive feasibility work, looking at a number of options, there are no options currently considered financially viable.The Council will not therefore be exploring this further at the present time.

WHBC updates - Milan Johnston                                                      

  • Key updates
  • Section 106 updates
  • Hatfield Community Sports Fund

Nik Roberts asked if you could develop a rugby field utilising the £200,000 ring fenced to rugby to enable multi sports on site. Milan suggested the Small Grants and Equipment fund may be better suited, as the ringfenced funding needs to be spent on rugby so unfortunately that would not meet the criteria.

Milan is happy to have conversations with anyone who might be interested in applying for the funding.

Strategic updates from partners

Nik Roberts - England Lacrosse

  • The profile of indoor lacrosse is on the rise, more people want to play this, but sadly there isn’t any available indoor space.
  • Welwyn Warriors are looking to expand to a junior club and working closely with the University to develop.

Roy Warren - Sport England

  • In April 2024 the Movement Fund launched, with funding up to £15,000.00 available for clubs and organisations.
  • Every Move – sustainability strategy and action plan can be found on the Sport England website.
  • Active Design sets out how the design of our environments can help people to lead more physically active and healthy lives.

Dominic Chatfield - Herts Cricket

  • Coming into their 4/5-year cycle of their strategy, this will be in effect from February 1st 2025, therefore they will be engaging with clubs and stakeholders which will form part of the new strategy.
  • There will be a large facilities focus, as there is a lack of these across the county and country.
  • Hatfield Hyde are looking to update their facilities as they now have women and girls’ sessions. WGC are doing something similar; Hatfield Crusaders may be moving location.

Jeremy Lake - GLL

  • Over the last couple of months, they have been updating the centres in Welwyn Hatfield, including an update to the gyms.
  • Trying to diverse their junior offerings across the centres.
  • Been successful with their GP referral programme Health Wise, they have a co-ordinator in place who has good relationships with the PCNs and GPs in Hatfield.

Liam Cooper - Badminton England

  • They will be part of Coach Education week, which has been organised by Herts Sports and Physical activity partnership.
  • Liam would like to discuss the badminton facilities with Milan outside of the call.
  • Action: Liam and Milan to meet and discuss badminton facilities.

Kieran Spencer - Rugby Football Union

  • A Minor restructure, but no changes to his service/role.
  • RFU are pulling together a new 10-year strategy.
  • No contact with the local clubs since the last meeting, so nothing to report back on.
  • There will be an annual facilities meeting with the clubs, and they will review and identify what the needs are.
  • Kieran would like to discuss with Milan the Hatfield community sports fund and Roe Hill.
  • Action: Milan and Kieran to meet and discuss the Hatfield community sports fund.

Christine Wootton - North Mymms Paris Council

  • North Mymms have been awarded 10k from the Hatfield community sports fund. They have commissioned a consultant to put together a sports strategy on their site. This is underway and will be focusing on tennis, football and bowls.
  • Meeting with Milan and WHBC Planning officers to discuss Section 106 contributions.

Aparna Shah - British Cycling

  • Trying to set up hubs across Hertfordshire for 7-17 years, currently have one set up in St Albans.
  • Trying to take this forward, to encourage more young people to take part in cycling including BMX and track racing.

Joyce queried whether they have been in contact with Welwyn Wheelers and Aparna confirmed they have been in contact.

Charlie Mann - Herts Sports and physical activity partnership

  • Charlie mentioned that Ellenbrook park run may be coming back.
  • HSP have an open offer to help support with a funding bid for any club/organisation who want to look at a sustainability project, for example solar panels. There have been several successful bids.

Josh Dashwood - LTA

  • Current focus is reviewing all venues in the area, and to investigate sustainability such as flood lights being LED etc.
  • Interest around paddle tennis, looking to work with tennis clubs or any other club within the borough to explore whether they would be interested in paddle facilities at their venue.  

Milan is happy to email clubs about paddle and to direct them to Josh.

Action: Josh to send Milan further information about the request.

Milan Johnston - WHBC

  • Will be in touch with all NGBs and leisure providers once we have commissioned a consultant to update the evidence base. A request for everyone to ensure they engage with this piece of work and encourage clubs to do the same.

Joyce Guthrie - WHBC

  • One Welwyn Hatfield Community awards are now open for nominations. A request for the information to be shared with sports clubs to encourage nominations.

A.O.B

None.