QUESTIONS have been raised over the responsibility for the management and maintenance of an outfield and tennis courts at Leighton Sports Centre.
In 2019 White Horse News reported that Wiltshire Council had come under fire from Westbury Cricket Club and a local resident for the long grass at the sports centre outside of the cricket boundary, claiming it has not been cut in over six weeks. Local resident Stephen Pyne recently told White Horse News the grass is now long again, but the situation is even more confused.
“Places Leisure and the sports centre manager are responsible for just the sports centre. Westbury Cricket Club are responsible for the cricket field up to the boundary. This leaves the outfield including the tennis courts in limbo/run by Wiltshire Council,” Stephen said.
“Who do you pay if you want to play tennis? Who will put the net up and who will sweep off the rubbish from the court? Who is going to mow the grass?
“What a mess! Wiltshire Council remind me of Laurel and Hardy in 1930 films ‘well here’s another fine mess you’ve got me into!’”
Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for leisure, said there had recently been an agreement between the cricket club and Wiltshire Council for the use and maintenance of the cricket facilities, including the square and outfield to the boundary, in the playing season. A separate contract for the grounds maintenance of the outfield and beyond was in the process of being signed, he added.
Cllr Blair-Pilling said, “A new six-month contract for the management of 10 of the council’s leisure facilities was awarded to Places Leisure for the period 1 April – 30 September 2021, at which point the centres and staff will move to Wiltshire Council management.
“Places Leisure had previously managed the grounds maintenance at Leighton Recreation centre with the contract delivered by Westbury Cricket. That contract ceased on 31 March 2021.
“Tennis courts at the centre are freely accessible to the public.”
Stephen Pyne said he believed the council had authorised payment for portaloos at the cricket club because members could not use the sports centre toilets, but cllr Blair-Pilling said the council had not.
“If the club have hired these then it would remain their responsibility to pay for them. As per all other Wiltshire Council and Places Leisure managed facilities, the leisure centre is subject to implementing Covid-secure measures, which currently includes reduced opening hours.
“Cricket clubs are able to use the toilets during the centre’s opening hours and staff at Places Leisure have accommodated additional opening hours and access to toilet facilities specifically for the club outside of the current public times.”
