Decision details

The Open is a prestigious sporting event that independent research demonstrates brings significant economic benefits to the area in which the event is held, due to the global profile it provides for the area and the resulting interest from international business and spectators.

Kent County Council aims to support the return of The Open Championship to Sandwich in 2020 and for a further two Championships by 2036, by underwriting the final 28% (£243, 220) of contingency costs that make up the total costs. As a rail project, contingency costs must be contracted for, even if they are not eventually called upon.

KCC is already contributing £250, 000 towards the cost of capital infrastructure works at Sandwich Railway Station.

KCC is no longer underwriting any other funding element of this Project. (In the original decision linked to Sandwich Open Golf: Capital Infrastructure Works – Sandwich Railway Station, KCC was temporarily underwriting a SELEP contribution)

The total costs of the capital infrastructure works are £3, 898, 390.

As Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services, I agree to £243,220 of KCC capital budget being provided to meet the final 28% of contingency, if called upon, to successfully deliver the Sandwich Open Golf: Capital Infrastructure Works – Sandwich Railway Station.