The Executive Director Customer & Communities and the Regeneration & Major Projects Service Manager have submitted a report to seek Cabinet approval to assign the lease that the Council currently has in place with Fusion Lifestyle for the operation and management of Oxford Sports Park to Oxford United Football Club.

Recommendations: That Cabinet resolves to:

1.Approve the proposal that Oxford United Football Club manage and operate the Oxford sports park;

2. Approve the assignment of the lease to the Oxford sports park from Fusion Lifestyle to Oxford United FC;

3.Grant delegated authority to the Executive Director Customer and Communities in consultation with the Head of Finance to agree the terms of a new management agreement with Oxford United FC, in line with the existing Development agreement and lease for the Sports Ground, including: a community use agreement; business plan;  and governance arrangements for running the Sports park; and

4. Note that the agreement will deliver a saving of £50k for the 19/20 and 20/21 financial years and £25k per year thereafter.

The Executive Director Customer & Communities and the Regeneration & Major Projects Service Manager had submitted a report to seek Cabinet approval to assign the lease that the Council currently has in place with Fusion Lifestyle for the operation and management of Oxford Sports Park to Oxford United Football Club (OUFC).

Taking account of the points made in discussion, Cabinet resolved to: 

1.Instruct officers to enter into further negotiations with Oxford United Football Club and Fusion Lifestyle  and, subject to the outcome of  those negotiations being regarded as satisfactory by the Executive Director Customer & Communities,  having consulted the Cabinet Members for Leisure & Housing and Finance & Asset Management;

2. Grant delegated authority to the Executive Director Customer and Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Leisure & Housing and Finance & Asset Management and the Head of Financial Services to:

i.        Agree the terms of a new management agreement with Oxford United Football Club,  in line with the existing Development agreement and lease for the Sports Ground, including: a community use agreement; business plan;  and governance arrangements for running the Sports park;

ii.        Approve the proposal that Oxford United Football Club manage and operate the Oxford sports park; and

iii.        Approve the assignment of the lease to the Oxford sports park from Fusion Lifestyle to OUFC