Meeting documents

On behalf of Bath Rugby I would like to again thank the current Trustees for all their hard work to date. I repeat the fact that we seem to have made more progress in the last few months than the last few years. Decisions on a sensitive legal issue invariably take time to conclude but I still believe there is a will to resolve the situation pertaining to our development plans for part of the Rec.

The East Stand lease extension is a priority so that we can plan effectively and I appreciate your support in granting this as an interim measure and I naturally hope that the Charity Commission will also accept your recommendation and quickly confirm the decision in the circumstances.

We have now digested the letter that the Trustees received from the Charity Commission and will continue to seek clarification regards the apparent detrimental concerns raised and how we can respond with clear, practical benefits. We must keep the momentum positive and strive to reach an acceptable solution. Following a recent meeting with the Trustees we now await a written brief outlining the possible extra benefits under consideration. There may be a perceived new era for the whole of the Rec but there are a number of critical concerns affecting the space we would like to occupy.

Any response is subject to a host of conditions regarding our occupancy and other vital aspects of incorporating significant commercial partnerships within a viable length of lease as well as allowing adequate space and control to develop. A positive climate however will enable us to fully contribute to a public consultation exercise as part of any planning process. Our original outline plan, the favoured Option 2 supported by the Strategic Review, the Trustees and a 22,000 strong petition from our supporters, is still on hold. Time is of the essence as the cost of the scheme is escalating and we will need to secure further investment to deliver our proposal as it stands.

I can assure you that apart from our full-cooperation there is a genuine willingness to allow greater access and usage of the facilities for the community to enjoy. Bath Rugby has already shown its commitment as a major contributor to the local community with clear commercial, charitable, recreational and educational benefits and there is much more we can offer. We would be prepared, for example, to incorporate a Community Centre as part of the new arena - open for general use throughout the year. We already host a number of beneficial events and this programme could be extended to allow greater usage of the whole of the Rec. that is currently under utilised.

We have an exciting vision and I hope that this will be realised in the heart of Bath. We must all continue to work together to find a way forward.