09. Putting Plus

Putting Plus was set up to bring back public putting to Prestwick. The initial tasks were:

1. to select an appropriate company structure

2. decide where to locate the putting green

3. develop a financial plan

4. obtain planning approval

5. receive lease

On completion of these task work commenced in September 2013 on restoring the putting green. 

COMPANY STRUCTURE

From the outset the founders of Putting Plus had no wish or intention of making any money from this venture.  The Directors are all volunteers, and Putting Plus is a Social Enterprise.   

Social Enterprise

A Social Enterprise is a business with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners. Social enterprises can take many form including trusts, charities, and Community Interest Companies (CIC). Putting Plus is a Community Interest Company (CIC).   

Community Interest Companies

Community Interest Companies (CICs) are limited companies that exist to provide benefits to a community, or a specific section of a community. A CIC has the flexibility of a familiar company form, and access to a range of financing options appropriate for those working for a social purpose. Key features include an asset lock and a community interest statement (CIC 36) showing that the business activities will be carried out for the benefit of the community or a section of it. CICs take many forms and Putting Plus (2013) is a registered company limited by guarantee.

Articles of Association

For Putting Plus CIC bespoke articles produced by the CIC Regulator were adopted. Putting Plus (2013) CIC was established on 17 January 2013. 

LOCATION

Until about 10 to 15 years ago there were four public putting greens adjacent to the Prestwick Seafront at the foot of Links Rd . It was appropriate to restore one of these. The north west quadrant was selected as closest to the centre of gravity being opposite Cafe Mancini and near the toilets. This location also left open space towards the houses and the Parkstone Hotel. The ground would need to be restored to putting standard (1,600 sqm), a Kiosk built (the previous Kiosk had been knocked down), and a fence (0.9 m high) to delineate and protect the putting surface.

FINANCIAL

We estimated initially that the restoration work would take about £20,000. To service this amount of debt would mean that our putting charges would have to be excessive. This would reduce the benefits to the community. For this reason we sough grant funding.  

PLANNING 

The Planning decision (6 September 2012) stated that:

... The siting and design of the development hereby approved is considered to accord with the provisions of the development plan and there is no significant adverse impact on the amenity of neighbouring land and buildings.

LEASE

In August 2013 the lease was advertised twice in Ayrshire Post. There was only one submission. The lease was awarded and then signed by John Hunter.