Agenda item

Report of the Leisure Services Team Manager

The Leisure Services Team Manager presented the report which provided an update on existing projects that already have approved budget or funding in place. An additional update was provided verbally on the successful bid to

the Local Authority Treescapes fund, which gives 100% funding for the planting of trees along with a 3-year maintenance contribution. The report included a number of issues on which a preference and /or a decision of members was being sought.

On the issue of the solar lights, an update was provided by the Cultural Services Team Manager who advised that had she made some assumptions due to the lack of further information which had not been forthcoming from the Coalville Community Action Group, who submitted the request. Discussions with providers suggested that there was no product which could be recommended for use in public areas due to issues around the longevity of the product; and the lack of light in the winter months to provide sufficient solar charge. There are also issues around the positioning of the lights to take into account mitigation against anti-social behaviour which would impact on the overall visual effect. Further complications were around the power source given the location; and with batteries proving to be expensive and prone to theft.

The Chairman invited comments and questions.

Councillor M Wyatt made some observations. In relation to the consultation on the park improvement options, it was clear that option one was preferred by local residents and he considered this the most practical option. He asked that a task and finish group be set up to look at the play equipment in play areas to determine if equipment needed to be replaced or if a saving could be effected to Coalville Special Expenses by removing equipment and using the area in a different way.  On the decision as to whether the trees be replaced, he considered this essential and that we should not give in to vandalism and he welcomed the continuation of Coalville in Bloom.  He was pleased to see that the application was to be submitted in respect of solar panels for the bowls club and hoped for its success; and he agreed with the views of officers that the solar lights in the trees was not feasible and felt that having permanent lights in situ detracted from the effect of having Christmas lights.

Coalville J Geary supported the comments in relation to Coalville in Bloom adding that it was in the gift of members to agree the level of funding and he urged caution about the planting of trees on verges where there may be an adverse effect on the infrastructure beneath. He sought clarification on the height of the cemetery wall as he considered it higher than the reported 1.2 metres. He was advised that the cemetery wall was 2 metres high and the 1.2 metres was one of the replacement options; there was a further option of a ‘like for like’ replacement. Councillor Geary advised therefore that his preferred option was four, the ‘like for like’ replacement. In terms of the application for the grit bin, he asked that this be taken forward.

Councillor J Legrys congratulated Friends of Coalville Park for the work they had done on the bid and to officers on the support they had provided to members. In respect of the park options, Councillor Legrys asked that, whichever option, a path be included from the park exit through to Hawthorn Close; and that measures be introduced to deter vandalism. He supported option one. He asked officers whether they felt confident that the site at Lillehammer drive would be cleared by Christmas 2023 considering the length of time this issue had been rumbling on. He echoed the supportive views on Coalville in Bloom and shared his concerns at the level of vandalism and the risk of this when considering lights in trees. In relation to the cemetery wall, Councillor Legrys asked about ownership and who was responsible for this, as he considered it should come from a corporate budget and was not the responsibility of this Group. In relation to the county council owned area known as Phoenix Green, he asked that a bid be made to enable the Parks Team to undertake some basic maintenance works.

Councillor E Allman asked whether the issue around the solar lights in Memorial Square had been communicated to the Coalville Community Action Group; advised that he had not yet received any details on the proposals for the play area at Claremont Drive; and stated that he would support option 3 to align with the views of Friends of Coalville Park.

Councillor A Black asked all members to encourage local businesses and residents to support Coalville in Bloom. She appreciates all the hard work undertaken by officers in respect of identifying areas for tree planting, and suggested the relief road at Bardon Road. She asked for a map of where the highways authority have designated tree planting and, with reference to the solar lights, advised that she does not support areas being lit every night due to light pollution and the effect had on local residents; a view subsequently supported by Councillor Wyatt. 

The Leisure Services Team Manager responded to the issues and questions raised by Members as follows:-

• The issues around the play areas and equipment are being looked at by the Financial Sub Group and ward members will be fully engaged;
• The tree planting locations came from members, most of which are on county council land; Coalville park is the only suggestion which is owned by the district council; thorough checks will be made to ensure that any planting on highway verges does not impact on underground infrastructure;
• Proposals for the park extension have been adapted in an attempt to mitigate against anti-social behaviour;
• Legal advice will need to be sought on the ownership and responsibility of the cemetery wall given that it sits within the  Coalville special area in which there is no Town Council to delegate any specific responsibilities;
• There are many external factors in play with regard to Lillehammer Drive that no absolute certainties can be given on timescales. However, everything that can be done is being done; but reliance on the timescale falls to Barratts.
• Legal advice will be sought on the powers of this Group in requesting the county council to undertake its responsibilities in maintaining the Phoenix Green area and, if so permitted, a letter can be sent to LCC setting out this Group’s concerns;
• Happy to raise the issue of tree planting along the Bardon Road relief road with relevant officers; don’t have a map but will ask LCC if they can provide;

A lengthy debate ensued on the merits of holding the meetings more regularly with a suggestion of these being monthly or 6-weekly meetings.

It was moved by Councillor J Geary and seconded by Councillor M Wyatt that a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Group on proposals for looking at its Terms of Reference and it meeting more regularly. An amendment to the motion was moved by Councillor Geary to include that the next meeting of the Group be convened an hour earlier to enable discussions to be held. This was seconded by Councillor Legrys and it was AGREED. It was subsequently 

RESOLVED THAT:

1. The progress update on the 2021/22 Capital Projects be noted.
2. That a report be brought back to the next meeting on proposals for looking at the Group’s Terms of Reference and it meeting more regularly; and that the next meeting of the Group be convened an hour earlier to enable these discussions.
3. That legal advice be sought on the powers of this Group in requesting the county council to undertake its responsibilities in maintaining the Phoenix Green area and, if so permitted, a letter be sent to LCC setting out this Group’s concerns.

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET THAT:

1. Option One be the preferred design for the field at the rear of Coalville Park.
2. Option Four be the preferred option for the London Road Cemetery wall, subject to legal advice being sought on ownership and responsibility;
3. That the provision for the grit bin at the junction of Zetland Close and Wentworth Road be supported;
4. The application for the solar lights in Memorial Square not be supported.

ACTIONS

(1)  That legal advice be sought on the ownership and responsibility of the cemetery wall given that it sits within the Coalville specials area in which there is no Town Council to delegate any specific responsibilities;

(2)  That a report be bought back to the next meeting on proposals for looking at the Group’s Terms of Reference and it meeting more regularly; and that the next meeting of the Group be convened an hour earlier to enable these discussions;

(3)  That legal advice be sought on the powers of this Group in requesting the county council to undertake its responsibilities in maintaining the Phoenix Green area and, if so permitted, a letter be sent to LCC setting out this Group’s concerns.