Football playing youngsters are looking for assurances from Chorley Council bosses after their plans to expand coaching activities and playing pitches on a playing field in Astley Village have now come under threat from a group of Astley, Buckshaw and Euxton Labour councillors who have argued it is not a priority for them.
Officials at Astley & Buckshaw Juniors FC which this year won the FA Charter Standard Club of 2014 Award only became aware of the threat to their community neighbourhood development plan after minutes were released of a meeting held on 26th July.
Minutes Extract present: Chorley Borough Councillors: Mike Handley (Euxton North) (Chair), Matthew Lynch (Astley and Buckshaw), Danny Gee (Euxton North) and Mark Jarnell (Euxton South) Parish Councillors: Chris Jones (Euxton Parish Council) and Laura Lennox (Astley Village Parish Council)
Play pitch and sport development in Astley.
Simon Clark advised that this priority would not be progressed until the outcome of Play and Open Space Strategy was reported to the Executive Cabinet on 28 August 2014, after which it could be determined what arrangements could be made. The lead officer has discussed the detail of a long lease with the Councils Legal Officer and there are no particular legal reasons why such an arrangement cannot be accommodated.
Members of the group expressed strong feelings that this priority should not be pursued particularly as the proposed long term lease arrangement could preclude flexibility in an alternative land use in the future.
Simon Clark explained that the last Neighbourhood Meeting in February 2014 (albeit with some different representation) had agreed the priority and he was not clear how the priority which has received Executive Cabinet approval can be changed if there is no consensus within the neighbourhood area representation to change it.
AGREED Simon Clark to consult with the Executive Member (Community Services) and Director of Public Protection, Streetscene and Community regarding how to proceed.
The junior football club which delivers grassroots football in both Astley Village and Buckshaw Village runs 14 teams, community coaching sessions, volunteer mentoring schemes and holiday activity programmes all of which have been very much at the heart of promoting health and well being through sport in the local community since 2004.
Astley & Buckshaw Conservative councillors Mark Perks and Aidy Riggott have vowed to support the club and fight any attempt by Chorley Council to scrap the neighbourhood project.
Cllr Mark Perks ward councillor for Astley & Buckshaw said, “ the minutes clearly show which councillors oppose the project which was actually agreed by the council earlier this year. It is a cruel and heartless decision from these Labour councillors to now try and get it scrapped, especially as the club has been using the field since 2008.
I cannot think of a more worthy project that serves two communities than this one, it encourages young people to participation in sport and benefit from all the positive health and well being opportunities provided by playing in team activities.
The club has a superb track record of being inclusive, providing activities that engage with over 250 young people. It is staggering to hear those opposed do not feel it is a priority for the community.
The junior club is only seeking a long term lease to enable it to obtain national funding to provide further pitches and training areas. The project will not actually cost the council a penny. The land will remain open green space no buildings are planned, as the club will use Chorley RUFC facilities across the road when they are completed.”
Euxton Parish Councillor and Buckshaw resident Aidy Riggott commented, “With all the challenges modern day parents face in getting kids outdoors playing sports and taking part in team activities they last thing they need is local 'representatives' actively working against them ! I am flabbergasted that the Labour Cllr for Astley & Buckshaw is AGAINST AstleyBucksJFC securing a long-term lease in Astley Village!
Astley & Buckshaw Juniors are the Lancashire FA Charter Standard Club of the Year 2014! This great club has and continues to enable hundreds of kids to be involved with team sports, supported by passionate volunteers and high quality coaches. We fully support this proposal and the investment the Club is making in the Community.”
The story was featured in this weeks Chorley Guardian.