Statement from the Chairman of Beeding and Bramber Cricket Club
On Thursday the 28th of July 2011, there was a meeting between Upper Beeding Parish Council (Bob Harber), Upper Beeding Football Club (Nick Dungay) and Beeding and Bramber Cricket Club (Michael Gurd, David Greenfield) to discuss the proposed building of new changing rooms and storage facilities at the Upper Beeding Memorial Ground.
The plans for this facility have been in existence for a number of years and planning permission has been approved. The tendering process has been completed, and a quote of £170,000 from a local builder has been accepted.
At the meeting, the Football and Cricket Clubs were both informed that the Parish Council proposed to finance the project through Viridor Credits. To be eligible for the Viridor grant, the applicants (PC, UBFC and B&BCC) would have to contribute 10% of the grant. The Council would contribute £10,000 and the Football and Cricket Clubs, £7,000 between them.
The Football and Cricket Clubs were also informed that the facility would be wholly Parish Council owned and managed. There would be an Annual cleaning and maintenance fee of £3,000 to be paid jointly by the Football Club and the Cricket Club.
To put these figures into context, our average income from ALL sources over the last three completed years; is just above £3,000, with our Club making a small surplus each financial year.
This proposal was discussed and voted on, at the Committee Meeting of Beeding and Bramber Cricket Club held on the 5th of August 2011. The Committee voted unanimously that the proposal regarding the new changing rooms as stated; is NOT a viable financial option for us, and that we would NOT support it.
I hope that all Members understand that in its present form, the proposal for financing the build, the management and maintenance of the new changing rooms; would change the current business model of our Club.
You will probably realise that this is the start of a process rather than the end of it and that the threat of new changing rooms with their more expensive hiring costs will not go away for now. In the meantime I will also be speaking to the Football Club Chairman to see what their opinions and plans are.
Please note that we are a small Club and your Committee would appreciate it, that if you have any comments or questions; you make them directly to either: the Chairman, the Club Secretary or the Grounds Manager; rather than using indirect methods, such as our forum.
Thank you for your time.
Michael Gurd
Chairman, Beeding and Bramber Cricket Club
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per gallo quod balls
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