Meeting documents

PETER DOWNEY

My name is Peter Downey. I am chairman of the Real Friends of the Rec - an organisation established in 2008 to encourage the Trustees of the Bath Recreation Ground to consider the best interests of the Rec.

We have 4,211 members the majority of whom are B&NES citizens. We are a properly constituted, independent body, with elected and accountable officers, and published aims. We hold regular meetings that are open to anyone, that are publicised in advance, well attended and minuted for the records.

That the people of Bath and its environs want to see Bath Rugby remain on the Recreation Ground is no longer even a question that requires debate. Survey after survey. Petition after petition. Strategic review after strategic review has made that fact abundantly clear.

So it has come down to one crucial remaining barrier that stands in the way of the progress that the majority of citizens regard as logical, rational and desirable.

As we understand it....In the opinion of the Charities Commission, the benefits, contained in the last proposal that was submitted to them by the Trustees of the Recreation Ground Trust, did not match or outweigh the detriments of that proposal.

Naturally, if a new proposal can be made, in which the benefits are increased and/or the detriments reduced, then the Charities Commission may feel it is right and appropriate to approve the Trustees' request for the footprint of the main arena to be increased byless than 2% per cent - thereby making it viable for Bath Rugby to develop their arena and remain at the Rec.

So there is a set of scales .... benefits on one side. Detriments on the other. We would dearly love to help balance those scales. But no-one will say publicly, which of those detriments is tipping the scales the wrong way. No-one will say, which of the benefits that has been offered might tip the scales the right way.

So my main purpose today is to put on record this question to the chairman of the Trustees of the Recreation Ground Trust.

What is it the Charities Commission wants the Trust to do? Is it a question of finances?

Is it a question of recompensing the Recreation Ground Trust for the loss of a small proportion of the charitable Recreation Ground land, with,for example a parcel of land such as part of Lambridge? Is it the need to prove that the Recreation Ground will be available for a wide range of other recreational activities besides Bath Rugby matches?

The Real Friends of the Rec exists to ensure that the benefits of any proposals for a new arena on the Rec outweigh the detriments. We are absolutely convinced that we can lend weight to the benefits side.

But it would certainly help if the Chairman of the Recreation Ground Trust would be open and up-front about precisely what the Charities Commission is asking for. But in the interim can he pass onto the Commissioners the wish of the Beneficiaries and the Real Friends of the Rec that the two year extension be granted while these other issues are resolved.

Thank you for your time today.