Agenda item

Report of the Leisure Services Team Manager

The Leisure Services Team Manager presented the report to Members.

 

He provided the Working Party with an update on each of the ongoing projects.

 

Coalville Park Improvements

 

It was confirmed that orders had now been placed for the mosaics, decorative metal panels and plants to be installed in the Peace Garden. It was anticipated that installation of these items would be completed by the end of August and that further work would then be undertaken in September so that the project was completed well in advance of Remembrance Day.

 

Councillor J Legrys enquired whether it could be arranged for the Chairman of the District to formally open the Peace Garden once it had been completed. The Leisure Services Team Manager confirmed that this would be arranged.

 

Owen Street Recreation Ground

 

Electricity Upgrade

 

It was confirmed that Homebrook had now visited the site and had provided costed proposals to upgrade the floodlighting lux levels to satisfy the Football Association’s (FA) Ground Grading Requirements. It was noted that the club currently play at Step 4 of the non-league pyramid and that the existing lux levels would be satisfactory for the club to play at Step 3 but no higher.

 

It was stated that Homebrook had presented three different options for the club to consider. The first option was costed at approximately £17,000 and would see all existing fittings replaced with alternatives that omitted lux levels suitable for Step 2 football. The second option was costed at approximately £22,500 and would see all existing fittings replaced as well as an additional fitting being added to each lighting column. This option would be suitable for Step 1 football. The final option was to initially complete Option 1 and then progress with Option 2 at a later date if it became necessary. This option was costed at approximately £25,000.

 

It was noted that there were no allocated resources to undertake these works at present and that, whilst the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF) did offer match funding capped at £150,000 to Step 4 clubs for such projects, the club had already accessed this amount in order to develop their changing rooms. Consequently, the club would not be able access any further funding from the FSIF for five years or until they were promoted to Step 2 where the cap was increased to £250,000.

 

Councillor M B Wyatt stated that he firmly believed that the project should not be solely funded by the tax payer and that it should be established how much money the club was intending to contribute to the project itself. He stated that he believed a decision as to how to proceed with the project should be deferred until the club earned promotion.

 

Councillor P Purver enquired whether the costs for Option 3 would increase should the second stage of the project not be needed for a significant amount of time. The Leisure Services Team Manager responded that Options 1 and 2 were firm quotes but that Option 3 was not.

 

Councillor N Clarke stated that it would be a shame to dismiss the project at this point. He stated that the management board at the club had shown ambition and that the Working Party therefore should as well.

 

Councillor D Everitt enquired whether postponing the project would have an impact upon the club. The Leisure Services Team Manager responded that the club had anticipated being promoted for the last two seasons but that it had not materialised. As such, it was difficult to predict at what point the poor lux levels would become relevant.

 

Councillor J Geary stated that the poor floodlights were already a pertinent issue for the club. He explained that the club had already had to abandon one game as a consequence of the floodlights and that doing so had led to a fine from the FA. He stated that his view was that the Council had originally installed the floodlights and that it was therefore their responsibility to maintain them. He continued to say that if the floodlights needed improvement as a consequence of the club being successful on the pitch that the club should then contribute.

 

The consensus of Members was to approach the club to establish if they would be contributing any finance to the project.

 

Changing Room Development

 

It was confirmed that the funding application that had been made to the FSIF had been successful on the condition that the club satisfied the FA with regards to their transfer to a club limited by shares.

 

It was stated that the long term lease and funding agreement had been signed by both the Council and the football club and that as soon as approval had been received from the FA, the building of the pavilion could commence. It was anticipated that this would be in August.

 

Following on from the Working Party’s recommendation at its last meeting, Cabinet had now agreed to fund the reduction in size of the trees that lined the entrance to the recreation ground.

 

Thringstone Miners Social Centre

 

It was confirmed that the centre’s trustees, alongside the Council, were still identifying potential sources of funding in order to convert the former Clover Place play area into a training pitch. The project had been split into three phases with the remaining balance being directed towards the first phase, namely obtaining planning permission and diverting the footpath.

 

Councillor D Everitt stated that this project would be welcomed by the community once it had been completed. He stated that the area had previously become neglected and that he hoped progress on the project would be swift as it would tidy up the area.

 

Councillor M B Wyatt stated the County Council would be running a grants scheme specifically for children’s facilities in the next financial year running from April 2016. He stated that it may be worth establishing whether this could be a possible source of funding for the project.

 

Cropston Drive BMX Track and Wheeled Sports Facility

 

It was confirmed that the BMX track had now been completed and that more regular patrols were now being conducted by the Parks Warden to ensure standards were maintained. A fire retardant bin had now been installed at the site and grass seeding was being undertaken. Consultation with key stakeholders was continuing and it was anticipated that further improvements would be undertaken in the autumn.

 

Councillor M B Wyatt asked Officers to consider tidying the area around the entrance by the bookmaker on Cropston Drive. The Leisure Services Team Manager confirmed that this would be looked at.

 

Urban Forest Park

 

It was stated that work had commenced at the site with the installation of the boardwalk. A third quote was currently being obtained for the drainage and pathway works and it was anticipated that this work would be completed during the summer.

 

Scotland Playing Fields

 

It was confirmed that a location had been identified for the relocation of the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) that was currently situated on Lillehammer Drive and that local residents had been consulted on the recommendation. Planning consent had been given for the change of use in the area where the MUGA was currently located and the Council’s Legal Services team were currently finalising the Deed of Variation to the Section 106 agreement with Barratts.

 

Councillor J Legrys stated that he was aware of the legal issues involved but that he was nonetheless disappointed that the local children would have nowhere suitable to play in the school holidays. He implored Officers to find a solution to the impasse that was currently in place, even if it cost money to do so.

 

Highway Verge Improvements

 

It was stated that the one off improvement works at Phoenix Green, Bardon Road and Ashby Road had been completed. The recommendation from the Working Party at its last meeting to fund the works had now been approved by Cabinet. Consequently, an application to the Council’s Environmental Improvement Grant scheme would now be submitted and, if successful, works would be undertaken this summer.

 

Councillor N Clarke enquired whether Officers could investigate expanding the number of cuts funded by the Working Party. He stated that a couple of extra cuts a year would significantly improve the look of the area.

 

Councillor J Geary asked whether, if the Working Party agreed to fund extra cuts, they would be forced to use the County Council’s contractors. He stated that firm costs would need to be established before a decision was made.

 

Councillor J Legrys stated that the County Council had made it clear that they were keen for Parish Councils to help and that, as such, costings should be established. He stated that the Working Party should be provided with costings for all possible options before a decision was made.

 

Councillor M B Wyatt reiterated that the Council should investigate whether it would be plausible for flowerbeds to be sponsored in order to cover the costs of the extra work. He stated that the Working Party should only take on extra work if it was cost neutral to do so. The Leisure Services Team Manager stated that sponsorship could be considered but that there may be insufficient resources to manage the sponsorship process. He stated that the Grounds Maintenance Team would be more than able to undertake the work but that there were question marks as to who would manage the sales process.

 

Councillor P Purver stated that her understanding was that some areas were maintained by the District Council and some by the County Council. She asked whether it would be possible for Officers to provide a map showing which authority was responsible for each area. The Leisure Services Team Manager confirmed that he would do this.

 

The consensus of Members was for Officers to establish costings for the Working Party to permanently fund extra grass cuts throughout the Special Expenses area before a decision was made at a future meeting as to how to progress.

 

Warden Presence

 

It was confirmed that a new Parks Warden had now been appointed for 16 hours per week until October. The role predominantly covers the after school period from Monday to Friday and focuses on the areas around Cropston Drive Recreation Ground, Scotlands Recreation Ground and Staples Drive Play Area. The position would also cover Lillehammer Drive and Adam Morris Way once the MUGA transfer had taken place.

 

Councillor R Adams asked whether the warden’s working pattern would differ during the school holidays given that they currently focus on the after school period. The Leisure Services Team Manager commented that reviewing the warden’s working hours would take considerable time and that the school holidays would be over in all likelihood before any changes could come into effect.

 

Thringstone Bowls Club Toilet Block

 

It was confirmed that the Working Party’s recommendation to fund this work had now been approved by Cabinet. Officers would now liaise with the bowls club to support their funding application.

 

Memorial Trees

 

It was stated that Members had asked Officers to consider planting trees in various locations throughout the Special Expenses area in the run up to the one hundredth anniversary of the end of the First World War in 2018. This would be funded by a combination of both the Working Party and external funding and would be marked by a ceremony to commemorate the occasion. It was understood that a number of poplar trees had been planted in the past to commemorate the war and that efforts would be made to obtain further information regarding where these trees were initially planted.

 

Councillor J Legrys stated that he had had several conversations with the Royal British Legion regarding this project. He stated that they were keen to be involved and suggested that all stakeholders arrange a meeting in the imminent future to finalise plans.

 

Councillor M B Wyatt enquired whether the National Forest would be involved given the proposed location of the trees within the area covered by the forest.

 

Councillor J Legrys confirmed that the National Forest had been approached. He stated that the project should create a new plantation rather than attempt a like for like replacement of historical locations.

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

the Working Party notes the progress update on 2015/16 capital projects.