Sidley Cricket Club (SCC) was formed in 1901 and sought to relocate back to Bexhill after having to play in Hastings for several years, as a result of the closure of Sidley Sports and Social Club (Gullivers) in 2013.  SCC’s aim was to redevelop and create a youth and ladies’ cricket facility at St. Mary’s Recreation Ground (SMRG) in Bexhill, as well as hold a summer cricket celebration for its 125^th anniversary in 2026.

In the short term and subject to securing planning consent, as well as approval from Fields in Trust, SCC proposed to site a container with associated power supply, changing facilities and a toilet on the SMRG to enable matches to be played from the start of the 2023 season.  In the longer term, SCC wanted to construct a permanent brick-built sustainable building.

Approval was sought to enter a 5-year lease with SCC for siting the container provided by the Club at a peppercorn rent and subsequently, a long-term lease of up to 50 years in order to attract funding to build a permanent facility.  A break-clause would enable the initial lease to be terminated should SCC fail to raise / secure funding.  Approval was also sought to enter a 5-year management agreement for the laying of and maintenance of the cricket square, artificial wicket and outfield.  An annual licence would be granted to SCC to enable parking on the grass.  SCC would be applying for grants and fundraising to secure £12,000 to lay the square and carry out necessary work in late summer / early autumn 2022.  It was noted that there was no alternative suitable Council-owned land in Bexhill that could accommodate a cricket facility for SCC and that the Council did not have the resources to fund and deliver a new cricket ground and pavilion.  It was also noted that creating a cricket facility at SMRG was in-line with the Hastings and Rother Pitch Strategy.  Members were also advised that 1066 RC Racing Car Club was keen to work with SCC for mutual benefit.

Cabinet approved the recommendations proposed and was pleased to support SCC returning to play cricket in Bexhill, as were the local Members for Sidley.

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RESOLVED: That:

1)    officers be authorised to enter into a 5-year management agreement with Sidley Cricket Club for the laying and maintenance of a cricket square and artificial wicket, and in return to grant the club exclusive use of the facility and waive the associated booking fees;

2)    officers be authorised to enter into a 5-year lease with Sidley Cricket Club for a container, purchased at their cost, to be sited on the recreation ground, at a peppercorn rent and otherwise on terms to the satisfaction of the Director – Place and Climate Change;

3)    in accordance with Section 123(2A) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), to advertise the disposal of public open space for only the land on which a cricket container is to be sited and to report any objections to Cabinet for further consideration; and

4)    in principle the grant of a 50-year lease to Sidley Cricket Club of a plot of land in the same location at a peppercorn rent, subject to Fields In Trust approval and formal disposal procedures in accordance with Section 123(2A) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) in due course be approved.