Pitch booking terms and conditions

Availability of facilities for sport bookings

The Council will determine whether the pitch is playable unless it is a league or cup match and then the referee will decide. In the event of the pitch being unfit, the Council shall not be liable to the hirer of any resulting loss or damage whatsoever.

48 hours' notice is required to cancel a booking. This must be received in writing and sent to parksandgrounds@sholland.gov.uk.

What we'll provide as part of your booking

The Council will allow access to the site and unlock the changing accommodation an hour prior to kick-off.

The Council will seek to ensure that the changing accommodation is clean, tidy, well maintained and fit for purpose. The hirer must leave the facility in an equally clean and tidy condition. The hirer is responsible for clearing up and removing any litter and rubbish including biological waste from both the changing accommodation and pitch area.

The Council will be responsible for marking out the pitch and providing goalposts. The hirer will be responsible for providing their flags and corner posts.

Damage to the facilities

You must notify the Council immediately of any damage that has been caused to the site.

In hiring the facility you agree to pay the Council the cost of making good all damage (fair wear and tear excepted) to the pitch, dressing accommodation and all fixtures and fittings, equipment and other property of the Council included in or incidental to the hire.

You must take out your own insurance to the value of £5 million to indemnify (and keep indemnified) the Council against all claims for damages, compensation and/or costs in respect of injury (fatal or otherwise) to any person or persons and/or damage to property caused by, or arising out of, or incidental to, or in any way connected with, the exercise by the team of the use of these facilities.

Please note:

• the Council will not accept any liability for loss or damage to any clothes, money, valuables, personal effects or other articles left anywhere on the land or premises subject to this hire agreement.
• the hirer will ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to safeguard young people and vulnerable adults and that the hirer complies with the provisions of the Children's Act 2004.

COVID-19 and pitch bookings

The Hirer will provide the Council with a COVID-19 Risk Assessment which is suitable and sufficient for the purposes of the hire. The Risk assessment is to be provided within 5 days of the date of hire. The Hirer will follow all relevant guidance issued during the COVID-19 pandemic and any guidelines and restrictions imposed by the Council in respect of preventing the spread of COVID-19. The Hirer is responsible for the safe use of the premises during the period of hire.

Service Standards: Football Pitches

The Council seeks to maintain all of its football pitches to a standard appropriate for general community use. This may vary from site to site and varies throughout the year.

• Grass is cut all throughout the year, the frequency varies dependent on need. The area is fertilised each spring and autumn.
• Vertidrain work is undertaken in the autumn/winter if it is required. Seeding is undertaken in May to June.
• Selective weed killing - early August time.
• The area is rolled as needed to deal with divots etc.

The pitch is marked out prior to the football season and then it is over marked through the season.

Goalposts etc are removed on completion of the football season to storage.

The goalposts, fixtures, nets, pitch itself etc are inspected and checked on a weekly basis.

Service Standards: Cleaning

Cleaning by the Council will be to the whole of the interior of buildings and including, but not limited to, drains, gullies, urinals, toilets, sinks and plug holes. Windows and showerheads will be cleaned on a monthly basis.

In respect to the Sir Halley Stewart this clause also refers to the spectator standing and seated areas.