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.
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: Sandwich;
Notice of proposed decision first published: 25/06/2018
Decision due: Not before 4th Jul 2018 by Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services
Reason: As this is not a key decision the statutory requirement to publish this for 28 days, does not apply
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.
Consultees
A series of local working groups, including one with the local businesses and communities, are in the process of being established. A number have already met.
The Growth, Economic Development and Communities Cabinet Committee considered The Open in March 2017 and resolved that
• The announcement by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club to host The Open 2020 at Royal St Georges be welcomed; and
• The work underway to deliver the associated transport improvements at Sandwich Station was noted.
The proposed decision was considered and endorsed at the Growth, Economic Development and Communities Cabinet Committee on 3rd July 2018.
Financial implications: KCC has previously committed £250, 000 to the core capital cost of this project. KCC is intending to underwrite the final 28% of contingency for this project, should it be called upon, a sum of £242, 220. KCC will be providing a project manager to this project from summer 2019 to summer 2019. This will be created as a role within an existing staff member's job description within the KCC Sport and Physical Activity Service, so the authority will not incur any additional revenue cost. Other costs associated with this project will be absorbed within existing budgets.
Equalities implications: An Equality Impact Assessment has been carried out for the proposed infrastructure at Sandwich Railway Station. This will be further developed by the contractor Network Rail An Equality Impact Assessment will be carried out by DDC to infirm the entire Open Golf 2020 Project by DDC. KCC will carry out an Equality Impact Assessment to inform the event’s Transport Plan.