Local residents joined members and supporters of Shenfield Cricket Club to protest against the changes
The future of Shenfield Cricket Club could be in doubt if Brentwood Borough Council takes control of the club’s car park – a major source of income for the club. That’s the view of club Chairman Andrew Maxwell, who spoke to Phoenix FM today about the developing situation.
Cllr Chris Hossack, representing the Council, denies this is the case and says that the Council are only taking back what is already theirs.
We spoke to Andrew Maxwell today and asked him for his views on this dispute.
Tell us a little bit about the club?
Shenfield Cricket Club was formed in 1921. Our first ground was opposite the Rose Inn, but in 1931 we moved to our current home, which is next to the Courage Playing Fields.
The club is a major supporter and cultivator of junior cricket in the local area with over 250 school-aged boys and girls. We also have five senior cricket teams – three in the Essex Premier Division.
How did you acquire your current ground?
The Courage family and Shenfield Cricket Club have a long standing connection built over many years – Raymond Courage was our first president.
The Courage family gave the land to Brentwood Borough Council in 1950, well after the establishment of the club and its pavilion there, under a Deed of Gift.
The original intention was that the council would act as Trustee of the land while Shenfield Cricket Club remained in existence and would do nothing to undermine the ability of the Club to finance itself.
How did the current dispute start?
Two years ago the club wanted to extend their practice nets and as the land was owned by the Council, planning permission was sought. The Council rejected this initially, and the club asked Brentwood and Ongar MP Sir Eric Pickles to intervene. He asked Brentwood Borough Council leader Louise McKinlay to resolve the issue.
We finally received acknowledgement from the Council as part of the Letter of Agreement resolution to maintain the car park, and retain the income from the car park. For many years, the Council have been fully aware of this but are now reneging on this agreement.
Shenfield CC and the Council agreed that the nets could receive their planning permission. As part of the agreement, the council informed the club that the car park in front of the pavilion was determined to be part of the club’s land and it could be used to raise income for the club.
The Council has now told the club that the Deed of Gift only covers the playing area and the council has informed the club that it will be taking control of the car park.
Why is this a problem for the club?
The car park income is vital for the survival of the club, as it is the main income over the winter months and a significant source of income for the rest of the year.
Without this income, the club will struggle to survive.
Managing the car park would be massively problematic for midweek games, club deliveries, Colts training and so on, if the car park was managed by the Council or whoever they outsource to.
We should also point out that it was the club that built and paid for the car park, and not Brentwood Borough Council.
The Courage family give us their full backing and support. Remember it was the Courage family that provided the Deed of Gift; therefore they should be the ones in the position to understand the full reasoning and intention of this gift, rather than the Council.
The Courage family have made this very clear and it is not up to the Council or their lawyers to try and change the meaning or intent of their wishes.
What is the club doing?
The club has launched a petition, set up by Matthew Pryor, the Chairman of Shenfield CC’s Colts teams. [You can see this here]. This has had over 1,400 signatures in its first 48 hours.
We are also lobbying our MP, Alex Bughart, and asking as many people in the community to support us as possible.
We are asking all local residents in support of our cause to come to the club at 3pm tomorrow to talk to members of the press and help in the defence of our case.
Phoenix FM also spoke to Cllr Chris Hossack, Chair of the Community, Health and Housing Committee at Brentwood Borough Council.
He said:
“The whole of the Courage Playing Fields including the cricket club and car park is legally in the ownership of Brentwood Borough Council.
“The car park is for the public to use as well and not just the club.
“No other cricket club in Brentwood uses a Brentwood Council-owned asset and takes an income from a property that is not theirs.
“All other clubs manage to survive and thrive without taking income from car parking.
“As a local authority we have to treat everyone equally and we cannot allow one club to take up a significant sum per year from a council owned car park.
“I would be shocked if Shenfield cannot survive without this income – on the basis that every other cricket club in Brentwood survives without a subsidy from Brentwood Borough Council.”
