Policy statement regarding casual use of Edlesborough Green by parishioners
In order to protect and preserve Edlesborough Green (the Green) for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future parishioners, Edlesborough Parish Council (the Council) has adopted the following policy regarding casual use of the Green by parishioners.
The Green is owned and managed by the Council. The Council is therefore the final arbiter of what can and cannot take place on the Green.
All parishioners are entitled to free use of the Green for leisure and recreation purposes with the exception of the tennis courts and the Pavilion as noted below.
Exclusive leases
The tennis courts are exclusively leased by Edlesborough Tennis Club (the Tennis Club), but all parishioners are eligible to join the Tennis Club. The Pavilion together with its environs is exclusively leased by Edlesborough Community Sports Club (ECSC), and all parishioners over the age of 18 are eligible for free membership of ECSC.
Use by Sports Clubs
The Council authorise various local sports clubs to hold competitive games on the Green. Those clubs are required to make a financial contribution towards the upkeep of the Green and their use is governed by a separate policy statement which can be seen on the Council website. The clubs are entitled to exclusive use of whichever pitch or pitches that they require for the duration of the game(s) and training sessions. The pitches are accessible by parishioners except when a games or training sessions are in progress.
Casual Use by Parishioners
Whilst the Green is available to all parishioners for leisure purposes except as described above, they are required to avoid any activities that might damage the surface of the Green or might compromise other peoples’ enjoyment of the Green. In particular the surface of the various sports pitches must be respected, especially the cricket wicket and football goal mouths. A copy of the Bylaws is available on the Council website.
Dogs must be kept under control, preferably on a lead, to avoid them interfering with other users of the Green. Dog owners must clear up any mess made by their pets. Dog bins are provided on the Green for that purpose.
Group Activities
Any group activities on the Green must have the prior written consent of the Clerk. A fee may be payable for any group activities if it is considered that the organiser may have a commercial interest. Where there is any doubt whether or not an activity is permitted on the Green, the Clerk must be contacted. The Clerk’s decision is final.
Adopted by Edlesborough Parish Council
May 2023
Policy statement concerning competitive team games held on Edlesborough Green
In order to protect and preserve Edlesborough Green (the Green) for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future
parishioners, Edlesborough Parish (the Council) has adopted the following policy regarding the use of the Green for
competitive team sports.
The Council reserves the right to amend this policy from time-to-time as it sees fit. Such amendments are to be
discussed at its regular meetings and not necessarily by specific written notice to those who may at the time be availing
themselves of the facilities of the Green for such competitive team games.
A FOOTBALL AND WINTER SPORTS
1. The Winter season shall run from 1st September until 19th May. Any home games or practice sessions outside
of these dates must have the formal agreement of the Council.
2. The number of clubs enjoying the right to play on the Green each season is to be decided by the Council.
3. The Council reserves the right to cancel any game or practice session if it is deemed necessary:
a) to safeguard the condition of the Green for the normal day to day use by Parishioners
b) to protect the playing surface during inclement weather.
The decision of the nominee appointed by the Council in this regard will be final. The nominee will advise the
teams in advance if it is deemed necessary to cancel or restrict the use due to the state of the pitch.
4. Applications from clubs wishing to use the facilities for the succeeding season must be received by the Council
by 1st May at the latest. Notification of the successful applicants will be given no later than 1st August.
B CRICKET AND SUMMER FIELD SPORTS
1. The Summer season shall run from the first Sunday in April until 30th September. Any home games or practice
sessions outside of these dates must have the formal agreement of the Council.
2. Applications from clubs wishing to use the facility for the succeeding season must be received by the Council
by 1st October at the latest. Notification of the successful applicant will be given no later than 1st December.
C TENNIS
1. Tennis shall be considered to be an all-year round sport with no fixed season.
D ALL SPORTS
1. It is the responsibility of each club to provide the Council with at least one week’s notice of any fixture to be
held on the Green.
2. Adequate personal and third party insurance must be taken out, and a current certificate produced to the
Council on request.
3. Each club or organisation must nominate a person to the Council who will be responsible for their club carrying
out this policy.
E. DAMAGE TO PROPERTY
Any damage to the Green, howsoever caused, will be the responsibility of the club or organisation causing it. If the
club or organisation fails altogether to rectify such damage, or in the Council's opinion, fails to rectify it to an
acceptable standard, the Council reserves the right to remedy the damage itself and to bill the club or organisation
in question. The Council is to be reimbursed within fourteen days of the account being submitted to their
representative.
F. ENFORCEMENT OF POLICY
Failure to comply with the rules of this policy will result in a suspension of playing facilities for the club for a period
to be decided by the Council. In serious cases, the Council reserves the right to withdraw playing facilities for the
club totally.
G. CHARGES
Charges will be reviewed annually in May by the Council and the clubs informed. Clubs using the facilities are
advised that the Council may seek to recover any pitch maintenance costs directly attributable to a particular sport
by means of adding such costs to the succeeding year’s charges.
Revised March 2020 by EPC
Byelaws for Edlesborough Village Green
