Further to the recommendations from the Economy and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee which were presented at the meeting held on 10 September 2025, members are asked to consider a report setting out the findings of the Portfolio Holder.

Lead Member – Cllr James Owen, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Leisure

Lead Officer – Claire Braddock, Overview and Scrutiny Officer

REPORT TO FOLLOW

RESOLVED:

3.1     that Cabinet accepts the need, demand and benefit of a skatepark and BMX Pump

Track in Oswestry and will work to deliver a new facility in an appropriate location in

partnership with Oswestry Town Council (contingent on the Town Council’s support

and funding.)  

3.2  to instruct the Head of Property and Development  to complete an options appraisal of available sites within the Council's ownership, considering the most

appropriate and beneficial location, and bring back a report to a future Cabinet meeting with a final recommendation.

3.3     to instruct the Head of Property and Development that the work is to be undertaken rapidly with a report on the options appraisal brought back to the Cabinet meeting on 19 November 2025.

Cllrs James Owen and David Walker left the meeting for the duration of this item.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance introduced the report and corrected the names of the local members as listed at the end of the report to Councillors James Owen, Duncan Kerr, Wendy Owen and Mark Owen. The Cabinet discussed work undertaken in looking at a transfer of land in Oswestry to Oswestry Town Council for a skatepark and BMX pump track, as recommended by the Economy and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  The Portfolio Holder for Finance confirmed that Cabinet supported the need and benefits of such a facility and confirmed that he had instructed officers to complete an options appraisal of available sites, aiming for a recommendation at a future cabinet meeting.

Responding to a question about timescale he explained that Shropshire Council would be required to consult and complete an options appraisal before any transfer was made but proposed an additional recommendation that he instruct the Head of Property and Development that the work is to be undertaken rapidly with a report on the options appraisal brought back to the Cabinet meeting on 19 November 2025.  The additional recommendation was seconded.

RESOLVED:

3.1 that Cabinet accepts the need, demand and benefit of a skatepark and BMX Pump

Track in Oswestry and will work to deliver a new facility in an appropriate location in

partnership with Oswestry Town Council (contingent on the Town Council’s support

and funding.)  

3.2  to instruct the Head of Property and Development  to complete an options appraisal of available sites within the Council's ownership, considering the most

appropriate and beneficial location, and bring back a report to a future Cabinet meeting with a final recommendation.

3.3 to instruct the Head of Property and Development that the work is to be undertaken rapidly with a report on the options appraisal brought back to the Cabinet meeting on 19 November 2025.

Chair of Economy and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee:  Councillor Ed Potter

RESOLVED:

3.1 That the relevant Portfolio Holders with officer support explore the possibility of transferring land to Oswestry Town Council for use as a pump track and skate park, and the most appropriate means of doing so.

3.2 That a report setting out the findings of the Portfolio Holder be presented to Cabinet on the 15th October.

Councillor Ed Potter, Chair of the Economy and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee presented a report setting out the discussion held and recommendations agreed at the meeting of the Committee held on 10 July 2025 following the presentation of a petition for a skateboard facility and pump track in Oswestry.   The petition called for Shropshire Council to transfer ownership of land to the North of Oswestry Leisure Centre for this purpose.   The Committee had recognised the benefits this would bring and the Portfolio Holder for Finance said this would be  explored at pace, with a report brought back to the next meeting.      

RESOLVED:

3.1 That the relevant Portfolio Holders with officer support explore the possibility of transferring land to Oswestry Town Council for use as a pump track and skate park, and the most appropriate means of doing so.

3.2 That a report setting out the findings of the Portfolio Holder be presented to Cabinet on the 15th October.