URL: https://councillors.knowsley.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=8569

Decision Maker: Executive Director Resources & Partnerships (Stephan Van Arendsen)

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: To authorise the award of a £0.020m grant from the from the Pride in Place funding provision within the Knowsley Community Fund to AFC Knowsley CIC to allow the club to undertake works to complete grounds improvements at Lord Derby Memorial Playing Fields that would help them achieve Step 6 ground grading in football for the coming season.  

Content: To authorise the award of a £0.020m grant from the from the Pride in Place funding provision within the Knowsley Community Fund to AFC Knowsley CIC to allow the club to undertake works to complete grounds improvements at Lord Derby Memorial Playing Fields that would help them achieve Step 6 ground grading in football for the coming season.   That the Executive Director (Resources and Partnerships), in consultation with the Leader of the Council:   a)    Approve an early allocation of £0.020m from the Pride in Place funding provision within the Knowsley Community Fund, ahead of formal Cabinet approval of the full Fund allocation, to AFC Knowsley CIC to support the delivery of ground improvements at Lord Derby Memorial Playing Fields.   b)    Note the requirement to address the criteria stipulated within the Pride in Place Grant Funding Programme; and   c)    Authorise the Head of Legal Services to enter any necessary legal agreements.   Works on the grounds of Lord Derby Memorial Playing Fields to achieve Step 6 football standards are already underway, though have yet to be completed. These works need to be completed by the 30 September 2026 for the club to be eligible to be part of Step 6 football competitions.  Although a suite of external funding applications are currently applied for and awaiting approval, this leaves a short-term cash flow issue for the Club, if this deadline is to be met.  Therefore, there is a need to support the sustainability of the club to cover this short-term cash flow issue and ensure continued function of the site for the benefit of the community.   If no action was to be taken at this time, the club would be unable to reach Step 6 standard, which will then create issues of sustainability for their operations at the site.  As a result, a key outdoor sports asset serving the locality would be at risk of being lost.  

Date of Decision: September 28, 2026