Andy McCartan, the Assistant Director for Leisure, Libraries and Customer Engagement, introduced this report which provided an update on municipal golf in Wirral. The focus of the report was to highlight the challenges and opportunities relating to Wirral’s golf service and seeks approval to explore future options for all sites. The key aim was for municipal golf in Wirral to positively contribute to the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP), the developing Sports and Physical Activity Strategy, and key health priorities and outcomes. Any options were to aim to partially or fully mitigate the current golf net subsidy of around £270,000 whilst providing an improved and quality golf offer in Wirral.

Members expressed their wish that the facilities capitalise on the Open Golf Championship which was taking place on the Wirral in 2023 and to receive a report on this at a future meeting.

Several Members were interested in being part of a proposed Working Group to consider the future of the municipal golf courses which all required investment. Members noted the proposal for a development of a broader sports village near Arrowe Park but were concerned that the location was hard to reach and was not in an area which would benefit greatly from investment.

Resolved – That:

(1)  the work being progressed on the Arrowe Park Sports Village feasibility study with FMG Consulting Ltd. be noted

(2)  the work and outcomes of the full drainage assessment undertaken by consultant STRI (sports turf agronomists) be noted.

(3)  a member working group be established to develop options for the future of municipal golf. Outcomes and recommendations to be presented back to this committee in November 2021.

(4)  the Director of Neighbourhood Services be requested to undertake a full review of the current pricing and membership structure relating to golf to enable recommendations for a new membership/’pay and play’ structure for the 2022/23 financial year to be presented back to the committee in November 2021.