Budget proposals 2026/27: To extend and increase the peak-time hire charges for the artificial pitch at Henwick Worthy Sports Ground
Help us balance our budget.
Consultation status Results publishedActivity closed. Results published.
This proposal is part of a wider consultation exercise which will contribute to our annual revenue budget setting process. You can find more information, a link to the other proposal and our 'Balancing our Budget 2026/27' survey here.
Background
Henwick Worthy Sports Ground offers a wide range of outdoor sports facilities including a floodlit artificial pitch suitable for football and hockey. The pitch is available for hire every day from 10am to 10pm. Peak hours are defined as weekday evenings from 6pm to 10pm, and all day on Saturday. Bookings can be made for half or full pitch use.
You can find the full price list for our Sports pitches here.
The site is owned and managed by West Berkshire Council, but is maintained by Krinkels UK Ltd, the council's grounds maintenance contractor. There is no formal volunteer programme associated with the pitch operations, although our regular community sports clubs often contribute to the sporting offer at the site through coaching and match-day support to help manage teams and supporters.
From 1 October 2024 to date, the artificial pitch at Henwick Worthy Sports Ground has been booked 1,429 times, generating £86,663 in income. This reflects strong and consistent community demand, with usage spanning local football clubs, schools, and recreational groups. The facility plays a key role in supporting grassroots sport and active lifestyles across the district.
In the 2024/25 financial year, our expenditure on this facility was £262,479, our total income was £176,886, made up from booking income, grants and contributions from Thatcham Town Council, and rental payments from local sports clubs. Our total net expenditure (the total spend minus any income) was £85,594.
We carried out benchmarking of artificial pitch hire charges across a range of providers in the public, private, and charitable sectors, to inform our proposal. While charges vary significantly, the analysis indicates that:
- demand for artificial pitches remains high, particularly during weekday evenings (peak times)
- the competitive landscape and usage levels suggest there is scope to increase our hire fees above the rate of inflation without adversely affecting demand
It is important to note that true comparisons are difficult due to:
- variations in pricing structures, including pitch size (full, half, 5-a-side etc.), sport type, and booking duration
- discounting and incentivisation schemes, such as community rates, block booking discounts, and school partnerships
- seasonal pricing, with different rates applied in summer and winter months
Despite these differences, the benchmarking shows that full pitch peak-time hire charges (60 mins) range from £60 to £159 per hour, with most being between £105 and £125 per hour.
What we proposed
To increase the peak-time hire charges for the artificial pitch at Henwick Worthy Sports Ground by 35%:
Artificial Full Pitch (11 a side) Peak-time Charges
| Period | Current cost | Proposed cost |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mins | £46.00 | £62.00 |
| 60 mins | £92.00 | £124.00 |
| 90 mins | £140.00 | £189.00 |
Artificial Half Pitch (5 a side) Peak-time Charges
| Period | Current cost | Proposed cost |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mins | £26.00 | £35.00 |
| 60 mins | £51.00 | £68.85 |
| 90 mins | £78.00 | £105.30 |
We also propose to extend the peak-time hire charges for the artificial pitch at Henwick Worthy Sports Ground to include all day Sunday.
Off-peak charges are unaffected by this proposal but will, as in previous years, be uplifted by inflation rounded up or down to the nearest £1. It is hoped that this will encourage more daytime and other off-peak usage of the facility by community groups, schools, and casual users. We will do additional promotion of the facility to these groups.
No reduction in service hours or removal of facilities is proposed. The artificial pitch will remain fully operational.
It is anticipated that this proposal would generate an additional income of approximately £32,600 annually.
While future usage levels may fluctuate, the revised fee structure provides a robust financial buffer and a clear path towards meeting strategic income goals.
Whilst the proposed uplift is financially significant it would support the continued investment in pitch maintenance and upgrades, and the long-term sustainability of the service.
What we thought the impact would be
We anticipated the impact on the users/groups would be:
- some users, particularly youth teams, low-income groups and community groups, may find increased charges challenging
- greater daytime availability may benefit schools, older adults, and flexible workers
- evening peak times may become more competitive and therefore careful scheduling will be needed - measures are in place to ensure regular customers and teams can retain their usual booking slots
What else we considered before arriving at our proposal
No other options to reduce expenditure or generate income in this area were identified.
Why we wanted your views
We wanted to know what you thought of our proposal, how it might affect you and the wider community, and any suggestions you may have on how we could minimise any potential negative effects, should we proceed. We'll also ask you a little bit about yourself, e.g. if you're a service user or how old you are, but these are optional, and you cannot be identified from your answers.
How you could take part
Our survey closed at midday on Monday, 12 January 2026.
If you have any questions about this consultation, please email the Countryside Manager.
For general enquiries about booking our outdoor pitches, please visit our webpages.
What happened next
All feedback was analysed and a recommendation made as part of the revenue budget papers for 2026/27 at the Executive meeting on Thursday, 12 February 2026 and the meeting of Full Council on Thursday, 26 February 2026.
The recommendations was also reviewed and discussed by members of the Resources and Place Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday, 10 February 2026.
Meetings of the Executive and Full council are open to the public, as required by law, but you may be excluded from some discussions on confidential matters. If you'd like to ask a question at a meeting, find out what can and can't be asked, and how to submit your question here.
What you told us
- Strong opposition to the proposed thirty five percent increase in artificial pitch fees and the plan to classify Sundays as peak time.
- Newbury and Thatcham Hockey Club expressed very strong concerns, estimating a £20,000 rise in costs next season, with almost 40% due to Sundays becoming peak charging days.
- Reduced accessibility expected for children, juniors and low-income families, many of whom rely on affordable Sunday sessions.
- Sundays are essential for youth hockey, and the proposed changes risk lowering participation.
- Clubs may face financial strain, leading to higher membership fees, families being priced out and possible closure of teams or age groups.
- Risks to health and wellbeing due to reduced physical activity and less social connection.
- Concerns that the proposals conflict with equality, inclusion and Sport England aims.
- Schools and colleges may reduce sports provision because of higher costs.
- Potential long-term impact on grassroots talent development and the council’s reputation.
You can view the summary of responses here.
What we did
You can view the overview and recommendation report here.
Share this page
