Cabinet gives nod to cricket club plan

Councillors were told the work is vital if the club is to meet England and Wales Cricket Board requirements as it seeks to progress up the Sussex League.

Monday’s resolution by Cabinet to approve the request is subject to planning permission being obtained, no cost being imposed on Rother as landlord and terms to the satisfaction of the council’s chief executive.

The club’s 23-year lease on the Polegrove site on which its pavilion stands expires in 2030.

Extending the pavilion will not result in any loss of public amenity and the costs will be met in full by the club.

Councillor Deirdre Williams (Con), who proposed approval, seconded by Cllr Joy Hughes (Con), said the cricket club was “a tremendous asset” to Bexhill and deserved to be supported.

Cllr Hughes echoed her comments and added: “We should be very grateful to the cricket club for what they do for this town.”

In March last year Bexhill Cricket Club sought and obtained permission to install security gates around the pavilion as part of the improvements it is making.

Cllr Paul Lendon (Con) suggested to Cabinet that with many activities now centred on the Polegrove, it might be worth the council’s services overview and scrutiny committee looking at what is available there.

He felt there might be merit in seeing if various clubs and groups using the recreation ground were able to combine resources to enhance its amenities in general.