MINUTES OF THE TRUSTEES MEETING
8th December 2025 @ 6.30pm
Present: Neil Stevenson(NS),Paul Simmons(PS), Helen Tilley(HT), Anna OConnor(AC), Andy Bird(AB), Dave Walpole(DW), Cristian Durant(CD), Paul Shalliker(PS), Russ Pye(RP)
Minutes taken by Roz Condé – Hon Sec at Ketton Sports & Community Centre (KSCC)
- Apologies – Ed Finch, Jayne Wheeler
- New Trustee proposal of Paul Shalliker was put forward and BB nominated and AB seconded this and all welcomed PS as a Trustee.
New Director Russ Pye was duly elected by the other Directors and Trustees, and all welcomed him as a Director.
- Development Proposal and Presentation
NS
There are three suggested plans for KSCC. Padle Tennis, Daytime Nursery and Alternative Education Provision and KSCC needs one of these to come to fruition.
The final draft plan for Padle Tennis at KSCC has been drawn and NS duly explained this and held a presentation outlining the proposal and the site of the Padle Tennis court – HT asked where this would be and it is the top football pitch. The company concerned would fund the building of such court and would pay KSCC £100,000 per year in rent. One of stipulations is that there would be a 99-year lease and PS advised that this would be discussed at the Ketton Parish Council meeting. NS appreciated that if this was to ahead there would be upheaval and there is a long way to go but all is looking good. There is a meeting with Heidelberg Cement, Savills and Nigel Roberts of Ketton Parish Council to discuss the land and PS has asked to be present at this meeting. Concerns were raised that would KSCC have to fund any of the building of the Padle Court and no they would not. All building and supplies would be done by the company concerned. Pre-planning was hoped to be in before Christmas, but a meeting cannot be set up with Ketton Parish Council (KPC) and this will be done in in January 2026. If goes ahead AB asked if the Padle court will be open to the general public and yes it will be and will an indoor court. The question was also asked if the company involved with the Padle Court will be building a new bar/catering facilities – this has not been discussed.
AC asked if all went ahead how soon could the Padle court be up and running and the plan is to open September 2026.
AB asked about the grant that was received regarding the drainage of the football pitch which was carried out with the money from the grant but if Padle goes ahead then what will happen – NS explained that the grant would have to be paid back as at the time it was granted none of the plans were in the pipeline.
AC asked if any trees would have to uprooted and no they would not. AB asked about utilities regarding the Padle court, and the company concerned would pay for these.
NS addressed the Trustees stating that they need to approve the plans going forward and need to be in agreement with one another but understood that there will be questions and there will be upheaval. CD asked if any of the Trustees had any objections and none were raised so Trustees agreed for the planning etc to go ahead for the Padle court. The planning application will be put forward by the relevant company with the help of KSCC.
HT raised a concern regarding funds and if KSCC had to raise any funds and NS suggested a loan would be taken out but HT did not agree with this.
NS stated that if just one of these plans comes into fruition, then the levy would no longer be in place which would save the respective sports sections money,
- Daytime Nursery – there is no update regarding this but is still being discussed as an option.
- Education Alternative Provision – the plan for this is comprehensive as it would involve knocking down walls and re-positioning of certain rooms – however, for each child attending such a class would bring in potentially £350 per day per child so is something that will be seriously considered going forward.
- Directors Report – RP is involved with Community Funding and will look into the Terms and Conditions along with the role of the Trustees and Directors as this must be ‘crystal clear’ to all concerned. He will also be responsible for Health and Safety along with contracts for the Bar Staff and cleaners.
- The Charity Accounts were distributed to all Trustees prior to the meeting, and as there were no queries the accounts were accepted. JW to file with Charity Commission.
- Fire/Burglar Alarm and Fire Equipment have been serviced and now are in good order.
- CCTV – NS does not know if this is actually working
- Financial Situation – this is looking good although at this time year the income can be hap-hazard due to the weather conditions.
- Kitchen – the hiring out of the kitchen provides a steady income along with the outside kitchen
- AOB – HT expressed her concern that Cricket do not need to pay their levy until March 2026 as all other sections had already paid. NS advised that this was agreed but HT did not think this was very fair as HT is representing Bowls and the members had their concerns. HT said that the next levy would need to be paid in 2026 and DW explained that the levy is due every 12 months so as Bowls paid in September 2025 then their levy would not the due until September 2026.
BIFFA are no longer the recycling and land fill providers and with the new company KSCC are making a considerable saving.
EON are the new providers for gas and electric and again KSCC are making a saving being with EON and they run an assessment on the building and may well install solar panels.
HT asked if the First Aid boxes are well stocked and in order. NS said that one was empty, but this will be rectified. There is also one in the kitchen and one behind the bar and RP will ensure that these are kept well stocked.
AB asked about the blinds as one was still not fixed and he was rather upset that this had not happened as had been broken for quite some time. NS fixed one of them and he assured AB he would get the other fixed. AB asked about Gift Aid, and this is still being investigated.
AB – asked about the other entrance and that the gate should be locked. He asked what the container is being used for and NS stated for the round tables, but BB thought they would get damaged or be subject to damp. Entrance road needs to be repaired, and CD will look into this.
AB addressed the meeting to say that he was stepping down as Trustee and that this was his last meeting – all thanked him for his work at KSCC over the years.
Heating is one of the main priorities to be fixed and is being looked into as a matter of urgency.
NS stated that as he is a Director he cannot be the Chair of the Trustees and therefore a new Chairperson is required and HT suggested DW, but he declined but will think about it going forward
PS advised that there should be another Ketton Parish Council representative on the board of Trustees.
All decided on quarterly meetings but if anything, urgent needed discussing then a meeting could/would be called.
Dates and times of next two meetings
Monday 23rd March 2026 at 6.30pm
Monday 22nd June 2026 at 6.30pm