Compton Parish Council Responds to West Berkshire Council’s Proposal to Remove the Downland Sports Centre from the Leisure Management Contract

Compton Parish Council has recently written to West Berkshire Council on behalf of the Parish of Compton regarding the proposal to remove the Downland Sports Centre from the Leisure Management Contract. The Parish Council’s letter is shown below:

Dear Sir/Madam,

Re: Budget Consultation for Downland Sports Centre

Compton Parish Council appreciates the opportunity to provide our feedback on the proposed budget changes concerning the Downland Sports Centre. After careful consideration, the council would like to share its concerns and suggestions.

Firstly, the sports centre is an essential facility for residents, allowing them to engage in physical activities, maintain health, and participate in community events. Many residents find it difficult to access similar facilities elsewhere due to transportation challenges. We strongly believe that alternative provisions are required to prevent rural deprivation.

The sports centre offers invaluable physical education resources for the youth of the village. It allows them to access facilities such as the gym and sports clubs locally, which they would be unable to reach due to a lack of public transport in the evenings. Removing this service could negatively impact the health and wellbeing of young people in the community.

Economically, the sports centre often provides affordable access to fitness and recreational activities that support overall health and wellbeing. Removing it could lead to increased healthcare costs and reduce economic mobility within the community. The centre also contributes to the mental health and wellbeing of residents by providing a supportive environment where individuals can improve their physical health, reduce stress, and engage in recreational activities. The loss of this service could adversely affect the mental health of residents.

Moreover, the sports centre offers services that cater to diverse populations, including children and seniors. Removing the centre would disproportionately affect these groups, limiting their access to health and fitness resources tailored to their needs. The loss of the centre would mean the loss of a crucial cultural and recreational institution in the community.

Environmentally, the sports centre supports sustainable practices by promoting local, accessible recreational activities. Removing it could lead to increased travel to other facilities, contributing to higher carbon emissions and environmental degradation.

We are also concerned that The Downs School will need to find additional funds to maintain the building, as they will no longer be able to share the costs of the facility. This could place an undue financial burden on the school and impact its ability to provide quality education.

This proposal is likely to disproportionately affect the elderly and individuals with disabilities. These groups often rely heavily on local services such as the sports centre for social interaction, physical activity, and mental stimulation. The removal of such a facility could lead to increased isolation and hardship for these vulnerable populations.

To illustrate the importance of the sports centre, here are some key statistics on its usage:

• School Use: Daily use by 10 staff members, 30 sixth formers, and 105 students with timetabled lessons in the gym.
• Compton Archery Club: 60 members using the hall every Friday evening and alternate Saturday mornings.
• Compton Harriers: 10-15 members meeting at the facility every Thursday evening, using the changing, toilets, and shower facilities, with 1 or 2 members using the gym.
• Additional Users: The sports centre is also used by an adult bowls club, a badminton club, and for holiday clubs providing childcare services.

We also believe that the facilities at the Downland Sports Centre are not advertised well enough throughout the local villages. As a result, many residents are unaware that they can use the sports centre or of the wide range of facilities and activities available. Better promotion and awareness campaigns are needed to ensure that all community members know about and can benefit from the excellent resources offered by the sports centre.

The prospect of the proposed improved, accessible facilities at the Downland Sports Centre was very keenly welcomed by local residents. There was a very positive buzz around the village, with excitement that the Downland Sports Centre was going to be a great new fitness facility. It is particularly disappointing for the school and its students, who were looking forward to the enhanced facilities that would support their physical education and extracurricular activities. The proposed U-turn by West Berkshire Council is very disappointing and leaves a feeling that our community doesn’t matter.

We are also anticipating the development of an additional 200 homes in the village, an increase of approximately 30% in our population. This significant growth will inevitably put more strain on our existing infrastructure and community services. However, it will also generate a substantial payment from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which is designed to support and improve local facilities as our community expands. Given this impending development, we propose that a portion of the CIL funds be specifically allocated to enhance and maintain the Downland Sports Centre. This investment would not only accommodate the needs of our growing population but also ensure that the Downland Sports Centre continues to serve as a vital hub for health, fitness, and community activities. Additionally, with the increase in housing, we anticipate a corresponding increase in usage of the sports centre, further underscoring the need for its continued operation and improvement.

We strongly object to the removal of this service. The Downland Sports Centre is vital to our community’s health, wellbeing, and social cohesion.

Thank you for your attention to these matters.