Senior councillors back cricket club’s plans for Calderdale park pavilion

Stainland Cricket Club, which leases the cricket and bowling pavilion at Stainland Recreation Ground, wants to run it on community asset transfer basis from Calderdale Council.

Calderdale Council Cabinet members have now backed moving the proposal to full business case stage.

The full business case should be produced within six months.

Cabinet member for Corporate Services, Assets and Resources, Coun Mike Payne, said the proposal represented an important opportunity to secure a long term future for the Stainland asset and increase local stewardship in the process.

A community asset transfer will also allow the club to access external grant funding that is not available under the current leasing arrangement, he said.

It will enhance future sports provision for residents of all ages, protect and enhance an important green space, support community events and the work of the voluntary sector and boost use by schools and community groups, said Coun Payne (Reform UK, Sowerby Bridge).

The transfer aligns with the council’s aim to improve people’s health and well-being, he said.

Coun Payne said the club and council can work together on a robust plan.

The cricket and bowling pavilion is situated at the centre of Stainland Memorial Park, in the heart of the village.

The building and associated grounds are owned by the council and leased to the cricket club with a peppercorn rent.

As well as sport, the site supports wider community use and as a result of growth in demand for use of the pavilion, the club recently self-funded a significant renovation, which increased the capacity of the building and brought the cricket and bowling club together, the senior councillors were told.

The club wants to take responsibility for the pavilion for 125 years, by means of the asset transfer.