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.
The last time Kent hosted The Open in 2011, it generated a £77m benefit to the Kent economy, of which £24.14m was direct additional spend. The event is forecast to grow from 180,000 spectators in 2011 to at least 200,000 spectators in 2020, and will be able to accommodate an even higher number of visitors in future years beyond 2020 owing to the layout of the course. That economic impact is therefore forecast to grow. In 2020, the economic impact is forecast to be in excess of £85m, of which at least £26.8m is forecast to be direct additional spend.
The Open primarily meets two of the strategic outcomes described in Increasing Opportunities, Improving Outcomes; ‘All Kent’s communities benefit from economic growth and lower levels of deprivation’; and ‘Kent residents enjoy a good quality of life, and more people benefit from greater social, cultural and sporting opportunities’.
Permanent infrastructure at Sandwich Railway Station has been identified as providing best value for money. KCC is contributing £250,000 towards that cost, and underwriting the £1.025m contribution of SELEP between and subject to PAG on 02/11/17 and SE LEP Accountability Board on 17/11/17.
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Deleted
Notice of proposed decision first published: 13/11/2017
Decision due: Not before 19th Dec 2017 by Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services
Reason: In order that the proposed decision can be published for a minimum of 28 days, in accordance with statutory requirements
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services
Lead director: Katie Stewart
Department: Growth, Environment & Transport
Contact: Stephanie Holt-Castle, Director of Growth and Communities 03000 412064 Email: stephanie.holt@kent.gov.uk, Sarah Nurden, Kent and Medway Economic Partnership's Strategic Programme Manager Email: sarah.nurden@kent.gov.uk Tel: 03000 416 518.
Consultees
The proposal was discussed by Members of the Growth, Economic Development and Communities Cabinet Committee at their meeting on 22 March. Members resolved that:
(a) The announcement by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club to host The Open 2020 at Royal St Georges be welcomed; and
(b) The work underway to deliver the associated transport improvements at Sandwich Station be noted.
Financial implications: Permanent infrastructure at Sandwich Railway Station has been identified as providing best value for money. KCC is contributing £250,000 towards that cost, and underwriting the £1.025m contribution of SELEP between and subject to PAG on 02/11/17 and SE LEP Accountability Board on 17/11/17. The £250,000 contribution is subject to approval in the Council’s February 2018 budget.
Legal implications: KCC Legal has been consulted, and a Basic Implementation Agreement (BIA) will provide the initial basis for the contract between Kent County Council and Network Rail for the Grip stage 3 enabling works. These works MUST be completed between November 2017 and February 2018 in order to avoid the bird nesting season; the project would otherwise have a year’s delay with a high risk of its delivery missing The Open event in July 2020. The cost of these works is estimated at c. £100k (including contingency and fees), so would be entirely funded by Kent County Council’s capital contribution towards the project
Equalities implications: An Equality Impact Assessment will be carried out on both the Sandwich Railway Station Infrastructure programme and KCC’s wider work around The 2020 Open at such time Network Rail is contracted to implement the infrastructure project. Network Rail will not be instructed by KCC to undertake the infrastructure works until such time final costs of the project are known and legally apportioned.