Will Adur District Council EVER deliver a new pavilion in Buckingham Park?
Within the 2024/25 budget the previous administration had allocated funds for a new Pavilion in Buckingham Park - something which should probably have been done a decade ago. But at least it was being done. The budget was in place in Adur's 2024/25 financial plans and planning permission has been granted.
One of the best parts of this project was the provision of disabled access toilets. This would have made the park far more accessible for disabled vistors.
At least that was the plan until the Joint Strategic Committee meeting on the 6th March 2025. A sum of £338,500 has now been taken from the allocated funding for the Buckingham Park project. A "virement" has been agreed - that money, allocated for the Buckingham Park Pavilion, is now going to a football pavilion in Southwick.
virement (noun) - an administrative transfer of funds from one part of a budget to another.
A senior council officer said "So what members will see is the Buckingham Park Pavilion has been deferred for a few years".
Committee member, Councillor Becky Allinson tried to spin the decision as a good thing for the users of Buckingham Park, saying "the Buckingham Park pavilion scheme, which is also significantly important to us for the future, is not yet at the same stage of financial readiness, and nor does it have the advantage of secured match funding from external partners. So I want to say on record that it's still a priority for this council and work will continue behind the scenes to discharge planning conditions, engage with stakeholders and ensure that once funding opportunities arise that that project is truly ready to get going and dig a hole in the ground. And this means we'll be better placed to deliver that pavilion with fewer risks and delays when the time comes. And I think we've learnt a lot from working with external partners through this particular scheme, which will help us in that future. So to the local community and the friends of Buckingham Park to the park users and to local businesses who see that pavilion as a future hub of activity, we remain fully committed to developing this in the future and recognize the vital role that it will play in the future of the park and the wider community."
The fact Cllr Allinson omitted, was that the Buckingham Park Pavilion was granted planning permission on 16th August 2024 - before the Southwick site received planning permission. Even more telling, there is still a planning application pending on the Southwick site, only submitted on Tuesday 25th February 2025.
Even worse, one of the committee members, Cllr Andrew Harvey, seemed to be keen to hide the news that the money for the Southwick Pavilion would be a virement from the Buckingham Park Pavilion project, asking "And, I note that right at the beginning of the report in the executive summary refers to the release of funds for the project at the expense of progressing the Buckingham Park project, and you reference that in what you've just said to us. My question is, is it actually necessary, within this report to state that, and is it advisable to do so?” When one officer gave a reasonable answer, Cllr Harvey went on to ask "Yes, can I just respond by asking, is it actually necessary to state that within this report?” He was put straight by one of the senior council officers - because it's a virement from one budget to another, this needs to be revealed. Rather than kept a secret, as Cllr Harvey seemed to be requesting! He showed wisdom in knowing this would be an unpopular decision with Shoreham Residents.
Plus, the current Devolution Plan was totally ignored in these timelines - under the current plan for local authority reorganisation, moving from two tiers of local government to Unitiary Authorities, Adur District Council will not exist from May 2028. Meaning, with the timelines suggested at the meeting, Adur District Council will never deliver the Buckingham Park Pavilion.
There's also strong rumours that one of the partners in the Southwick FC project threatened to withdraw completely. And that is what forced the hand of Adur District Council.
Here's the verbatim from that meeting;
Joint
Strategic Meeting Adur & Worthing Councils 6th March 2025- Item 13
Verbatim Report
Repetition
and ums deleted.
Cllr Jeremy Gardner (Meeting Chair –
Leader, Adur District Council) “Can we move to item
13, delivery of a community hub at the site of Southwick football club. And I
would ask Fiona Burn and Andy Willems to introduce this report.”
Fiona Burn (Head of Place, Adur & Worthing Councils) “Good
evening members of the council and committee. This report, delivery of a
community hub at the site of Southwick FC, outlines the delivery of a new
community hub and football facility at the council owned site. The report
highlights the council's portfolio approach to capital funding for the scheme,
and formally recommends the allocation of £338,500 from Adur District Council’s
2024/25 capital program. Adur district council and the Russell Martin Foundation
have been collaborating on the Southwick FC grounds, also known as Old Barn Way,
by the way. development since 2021. Plans for significant improvements,
including a new 3G pitch, a bespoke club house and updated supporter and
community facilities received planning permission in September 2024. Also in
September, the council and the Russell Martin Foundation received confirmation
of successful funding applications for their football foundation and the
Premier League stadium fund at £2,000,000 and £100,000 pounds respectively.
This project requires long term commitments with both our funders and partners
and a tripartite letter of agreement underpins the long term future use of this
site. Members will note that the Russell Martin Foundation brings excellence in
community outreach, particularly in football, and a commitment to a long-term
tenancy for the operation of the facilities. The football foundation provides
crucial funding and expertise to improve football infrastructure nationwide,
aiming to increase participation and accessibility. The overall capital budget
for Southwick FC project is £3,140,500. Funded through a combination of grants
and match funding. Adur District Council's contribution comprises of £500,000
pounds for construction and £138,500 pounds to underwrite project contingency,
providing a combined contribution from the capital program of £638,500 pounds
in addition. Sorry, in addition the scheme budget welcomes £2,000,000 pounds
from the Football Foundation, £500,000 in contributions from the Russell Martin
Foundation and a Sussex police grant of £2,000. Key recommendations within the
report include approving the virement of funds of £338,500 from the 24/25
capital program, noting the prioritization over the Buckingham Park pavilion
scheme and authorizing the acceptance of funding from the Football Foundation
and Premier League. Delegated authorities sought for the Assistant Director of Regenerative
Development in consultation with the cabinet member of Regeneration and Strategic
Planning, to approve and award contracts for construction and allocated costs,
and also to enter into an agreement for lease and subsequent lease with the
Russell Martin Foundation. The scheme offers considerable social value and wide
reaching community benefits. We know that community football promotes physical
fitness, social connections, and a sense of belonging for people of all ages
and abilities, if I can assist you further.”
Cllr Jeremy Gardner (Chair) “Thank you very much. Do we have any
questions to Fiona Burn on this? Andrew Harvey? Councillor Harvey?”
Cllr Andrew Harvey (Adur Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure) “Thank
you, Chair. Can I thank you for the for this report. It's obviously been a a
long time coming and I'm aware of an awful lot of the work that has gone on
over the past, well, years even, with this sort of, is it on, is it off
project? So, thank you very much and I'm very much looking forward to it coming
to fruition, both from sitting here, but also as the ward councillor for the
ward within which this development will take place and it will be a great boon
to the people of Southwick and Fishersgete - and that's my Fishersgate
reference for this meeting. And, I note that right at the beginning of the
report in the executive summary refers to the release of funds for the project
at the expense of progressing the Buckingham Park project, and you reference
that in what you've just said to us. My question is, is it actually necessary,
within this report to state that, and is it advisable to do so?”
Andy Willems (Assistant Director of Place & Economy – Adur &
Worthing Councils) – “Thank you, Councillor Harvey for the question. I will
look at Miss Thomas on this one as well, but I think in terms of the response
to that one, in terms of the council's financial position, we couldn’t probably
take both forward at the same time due to the financial position. So what
members will see is the Buckingham Park Pavilion has been deferred for a few
years. And so it hasn't come out of the capital program. and I think members
are still there as really intent to do that in future years. But I think for
now, the prioritization on Southwick FC means that we have to give that
priority in the capital program.”
Cllr Jeremy Gardner (Chair) “Counellor Harvey?”
Cllr Andrew Harvey – “Yes, can I just respond by asking, is it actually
necessary to state that within this report?”
Cllr Jeremy Gardner (Chair) “Emma Thomas.”
Emma Thomas (Assistant Director – Finance – Adur & Worthing
Councils) – “If I can just respond to that, the reason I think it's
included in the report is really because we are asking for a virement (virement
(noun) - an administrative transfer of funds from one part of a budget to
another) within the capital program and we are asking for virement from the
previous Buckingham Park project to this project. There’s a budget there for
the Buckingham Park project which is actually larger than what we're asking.
We're not asking to vire the entire budget, hence the comment that my colleague,
Andy, said about it's a deferral but we've mentioned it because of that request
to vire and being very transparent in that information.”
Cllr Jeremey Gardner (Chair)- “Thank you, Emma Thomas. I do think
that we do wish to be transparent in all our activities and this is the correct
thing to do. Do we have any other comments? Councillor Allinson?”
Cllr Becky Allinson (Adur Cabinet Member for Regeneration and
Strategic Planning) – “Yeah, thank you, chair. and I'm so excited about this
coming to the committee meeting, the cabinet meeting, the committee meeting
tonight. I think that that proposed investment and unlocking a community hub
for us is exceptional. Such a an amazing opportunity and I can't thank the
officers enough for bringing this over the line to have that external funding
for community facilities and for Southwick to offer residents, visitors - it's
for future generations. This is not just for now. I think it's a textbook
example, really, of how Councils can leverage partnership working externally
investment and community focused investment, and I think that you've mentioned,
but the Football Foundation, the Premier League Stadium Fund and the Russell
Martin Foundation all coming together is fantastic for us. A funding package of
over £3.1 million to transform that site. and it's, you know, it's especially
that kind of external inward investment that we need to actively pursue and
funding that is contingent on us stepping up and showing our commitment through
a proportionate matched funding contribution. You mentioned, Fiona, about the
health and well-being community development, economic impact, long-term
sustainability that we will have. I think there are so many parts of the
investment that will show as such value in the future. And I know that you've
already mentioned about Buckingham Park and I want to also mention that this
investment decision obviously does require us to only progress with the new
pavilion after this capital investment. as Southwick football club is ready to
proceed with funding partners and requiring a clear and timely commitment from
them and the Buckingham Park pavilion scheme, which is also significantly
important to us for the future, is not yet at the same stage of financial
readiness, and nor does it have the advantage of secured match funding from
external partners. So I want to say on record that it's still a priority for
this council and work will continue behind the scenes to discharge planning
conditions, engage with stakeholders and ensure that once funding opportunities
arise that that project is truly ready to get going and dig a hole in the
ground. And this means we'll be better placed to deliver that pavilion with
fewer risks and delays when the time comes. and I think we've learnt a lot from
working with external partners through this particular scheme, which will help
us in that future. So to the local community and the friends of Buckingham Park
to the park users and to local businesses who see that pavilion as a future hub
of activity, we remain fully committed to developing this in the future and recognize
the vital role that it will play in the future of the park and the wider
community. Thank you ever so much for getting this for us.”
Cllr Jeremy Gardner (Chair) “Thank you, Councillor Allenson. Do
we have any further contributions to the debate? In which case I shall move the
recommendations? We are recommended to
1. Approve a virement of £338,500 from the Buckingham Park 2024/25 capital
budget, combining with the current 20242/5 capital budget for the Southwick FC
project, to fund the Adur District Council match funding and to underwrite a
project contingency of £138,500 pounds
2. Secondly, to note that the match funding allocation from the capital programme
benefits the Southwick FC scheme in preference of the new Buckingham Park
pavilion at this time.
3. To authorize the acceptance of the Football Foundation's funding offer
letter and, in doing so, release £2 million in funding for the delivery of the
Southwick FC scheme.
4. Fourthly, to authorize the acceptance of the associated Premier League
Stadium fund offer letter and in doing so release £100,000 towards the delivery
of the Southwick FC scheme
5 Note the necessary match funding of £500,000 pounds from the Russell Martin
Foundation and £638,500 pounds from Adur District Council required in order for
the project to proceed at an acceptable level of risk. ADC’s contribution is £500,000
for the construction and £138,500 pounds to underwrite the shared project
contingency.
6 To approve an overall capital budget for the project of a £3,140,500 pounds
to be funded from a combination of funding as set out in section 5.2,
7 Enter into a tripartite agreement between Adur District Council, Football Foundation
and the Russell Martin Foundation for the long term use of the new sporting
facilities at the Southwick FC grounds.
8 Delegate authority to the Assistant Director for Regenerative Development in
consultation with the cabinet member for Regeneration and Strategic Planning to
approve and award contracts for construction to Mountjoy Limited, Lanos sports,
and all other associated services necessary for the delivery of the scheme.
9 Delegate authority to the Assistant Director for Regenerative Development in
consultation with the cabinet member for Regeneration and Strategic Planning,
to enter into the agreement for lease and subsequent lease with the Russell
Martin Foundation, subject to the Russell Martin Foundation having complied
with the condition, precedence specified in the agreement for lease.
Can I see a proposer for this recommendation? I see Councillor Allinson. And
can I see a seconder, Councillor Harvey. Thank you very much.
Can I see a vote by way of show of hands? Can I see those for? Any abstentions?
We have we have one. Councillor Cox, who declared an interest earlier. And I
think the motion is carried. Thank you.
(N.B. All other Councillors present voted in favour – Adur Councillors were
Cllr Andrew Harvey, Cllr Becky Allinson, Cllr Jeremy Gardner, Cllr Saffa Jan
& Cllr Sharon Sluman).
And I just like to thank Fiona Burn and Andy Willems
Councillor Allinson earlier referred to developing projects in partnership. And
how this was a textbook example. But I know developing things in partnership is
not always the easiest thing to do and I would congratulate you on your work in
terms of getting this over the line with a significant number of partners. I
think it’s admirable work. Thank you very much.”