THE gauntlet has been thrown down to residents of Weymouth as the future management of the Marsh playing fields comes under review.

Councillors have agreed to hold a public consultation to decide the future of the Knightsdale Road facility.

Officers told a meeting of the Weymouth and Portland Borough Council management committee that the options are to formalise an agreement with two groups, St Pauls Harriers and the Cougars, over their existing use of the facility, with the understanding that this would include management and maintenance, or to develop a federation of interested groups.

If neither of these are feasible, other options include removing the formal sport provision at the Marsh.

Councillor Ray Nowak urged those who use the Marsh to see the review as an opportunity.

“It might seem underused and it probably is poor quality but if there is enough enthusiasm, we need to say to people: If you value this you need to work to make it happen.”

Other councillors raised concerns over the effectiveness of a public consultation.

Councillor Christine James said the borough council has ‘never been good at consulting the public’ in terms of response and urged officers to not just rely on the internet. And Councillor Mike Byatt said the timeline for a consultation to be complete by October was too short notice.

The consultation comes as part of the parks and open spaces service review, which is being undertaken as part of the wider programme of service reviews, which require the borough council and West Dorset District Council to save £3.2m by 2017.

The review also includes changes to staff working hours and pay, and the provision of bedding plants, but options for these will not be put out to consultation.

 

Chairing the meeting, Councillor Ian Bruce said: “My understanding is that we have an athletics track but it is not up to standard for competition and we are paying money to provide something for a club which they can’t use. Do we have an athletics club in Weymouth who will step up?”

The committee heard that talks are ongoing with the Harriers and Cougars and that ‘frank and open’ discussions are taking place. Runners would have to travel to Yeovil or Poole to use the next nearest athletics track if the one at the Marsh were to be closed, councillors were told.

Cllr Byatt said: “What the community will not want to hear is that the borough council is considering abdicating all responsibility for the Marsh. The council needs to listen. The Marsh is an important area.”

The committee agreed unanimously to hold the consultation.