URL: https://democracy.breckland.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2549

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: Acceptance of grant funding from the Football Foundation for Attleborough 3G Pitch of up to £1million

Content: Acceptance of grant funding from the Football Foundation for Attleborough 3G Pitch of up to £1million RESOLVED that:   1)    Cabinet agree to accept all grant funding following submission and successful outcome of a Football Foundation (FF) application (up to £1m) and set up necessary budgets to spend and proceed with the delivery of this project via the FF framework.   2)    Cabinet agree to delegate authority to accept the terms and conditions of the FF grant to the Executive Member for Leisure in consultation with the Assistant Director Contract and Operations.   3)    Cabinet agree to contribute up to £50,000 from reserves to fund the remaining funding gap.   The Attleborough Neighbourhood Plan (2016-2036) has a specific core objective ‘to provide excellent new and improved sport and leisure facilities for the community, working with Attleborough Academy and sport and community clubs and organisation’.   Following a community engagement exercise carried out in the summer of 2023, an online survey highlighted that 89.1% of all responses indicated that an all-weather pitch was important to them. 82.3% of all responses came from people already involved in grass roots sports and 82.4% advised that they would consider using community facilities at the site with the most popular sport indicated being football.   Other findings from this engagement exercise showed that the vast majority agreed that availability of more and better facilities in the town would encourage them to become more physically active.   3G AGP projects delivered with support from FF grant funding must ensure inclusivity with a large emphasis on provision for women and girls, and disability football in particular.   As well as delivering a high quality 3G AGP for the community, a dual use site will provide increased usage throughout school hours.   The feasibility report delivered by TRI-Sports showed a significant increase in participation is expected and has engaged with local clubs Attleborough Town FC, Morley FC, and Rocklands FC all willing to become partner clubs if this is delivered.   The delivery of a 3G AGP at the site will also strengthen the business case for the site, alongside the wider leisure improvements, making it more attractive to leisure operators.   Failing to proceed with the project.   •                    would see the continuation of high numbers of football matches and training for both junior and senior local clubs cancelled due to poor weather conditions and waterlogged pitches with availability of 3G AGPs limited in the immediate locality of the town. •                    There would be an impact to the business case which could cause significant challenges in procuring a leisure operator to run the site on a profit share basis. •                    It could be considered a missed opportunity to provide a c.£1.5m facility for minimal capital spend from the Council 1)    That Cabinet agree to accept all grant funding following a FF application (up to £1m) and set up necessary budgets to spend. (recommended)   2)    That Cabinet agree to delegate authority to accept the terms and conditions of the grant to the Executive Member for Leisure in consultation with the Assistant Director Contract and Operations (recommended)   3)    That Cabinet agree to contribute up to £50,000 from reserves to fund the remaining funding gap (recommended)   4)    Do Nothing  

Date of Decision: February 9, 2026