Agenda item

Report of the Leisure Services Team Manager

The Leisure Services Team Manager presented the report to Members and provided an update on each of the ongoing projects.

 

Owen Street Recreation Ground – Changing Room Development

Members had been taken on a tour of the facility on 27 October and the official opening was planned at the end of the current season in May or June 2017.

 

Thringstone Miners Social Centre

Full planning approval had now been obtained to move forward on the training pitch. The football club were currently seeking to appoint to a number of vacant positions on their committee and Board of Trustees. It was anticipated that these positions would be recruited to early in the new year, and following this the project would be progressed and officers would support the Trustees with a funding application to the BIFFA Main Grants scheme.

 

Cropston Drive Recreation Ground

All work had now been completed. The hard surfaced area now had lines painted for a basketball court and hawthorn bushes had been planted around the chestnut fencing.  The entrance was far more inviting and the area was now far more aesthetically pleasing than it had been for some time.

 

Councillor M B Wyatt sought clarification on the additional equipment that was to be installed.  The Leisure Services Team Manager advised that the hard court area had been lined to provide a basketball court and the post had also been repainted.

 

Urban Forest Park, Coalville

The fencing adjacent to the car park has now been replaced. Members may wish to allocate an element of the outstanding balance towards the centrepiece of the Memorial Tree project if the total of that project exceeded the current £2,000 budget allocated to it.

 

Renaming of Urban Forest Park

A consultation had taken place on the renaming of the park with a number of groups. As a result of the consultation it was therefore proposed to recommend to Cabinet a change in name from Urban Forest Park to Coalville Forest Adventure Park.

 

This proposal was moved by Councillor J Legrys and seconded by Councillor J Geary.

 

Councillor M Specht highlighted the significance of the next year and felt that this should be marked in some way with the naming of the park.  He asked if the wording Coalville Heroes could be included in the renaming of the park.

 

Councillor J Geary reminded members that this suggestion had not been consulted upon.

 

Councillor M Specht suggested that the consultation should be restarted to include this.

 

Councillor R Adams felt that considering the size of the consultation already undertaken with the school, the process should not be restarted.

 

Councillor J Geary expressed concerns in respect of the consultation process and relayed problems he had experienced with logging on to cast his vote.

 

Councillor M B Wyatt advised that he had been able to vote online.  He also highlighted that there would be a similar opportunity in the following year and there was no reason this suggestion could not be incorporated at that time.

 

Improved Parks Signage

Officers were currently in liaison with Leicestershire County Council and further information was awaited on the potential costings.  Once this was received it would be circulated to members to enable decisions to be made at the next meeting.

 

Councillor M B Wyatt expressed concerns in respect of the lack of amenities for people with disabilities.  The Head of Community Services outlined the criteria in respect of brown signage, a number of which had not been met.  It was agreed to circulate the criteria to members.

 

Ending of World War 1 Centenary Tree Project

Prior to the last meeting, a site visit had taken place and the Head of Community Services had met with the Royal British Legion who had expressed concerns about the site location.  The ongoing support from the Council was welcomed however it was considered that the site was quite isolated and would not be visited by the membership. 

 

Councillor J Geary highlighted comments he had received from constituents in response to the proposals expressing concerns relating to potential vandalism and the isolation of the site and suggesting that Coalville Park would be a preferable location.

 

Councillor J Legrys shared the concerns raised and also considered that Coalville Park would be a preferable location considering the management of the site and the number of visitors.  He suggested visiting the park to assess feasibility.

 

Councillor P Purver welcomed the suggestion to visit Coalville Park.  She suggested an installation close to the clock tower and felt that a mosaic of a poppy would be quite striking, and would be a project that children could get involved with.  She highlighted that the company which had been involved with creating the colour for the ceramic poppies in London was a local company and could be involved in the project.

 

Members welcomed this suggestion and felt this could be quite impressive.

 

Councillor N Clarke reminded members that the reason the site had been chosen initially was to improve it and increase the number of visitors.  He highlighted that Coalville Park already had a peace garden and questioned whether there was room for another installation.

 

Councillor J Geary highlighted the importance of the anniversary and felt that the project should be given the utmost respect, and delivered in the best possible location in terms of convenience for the community and where it would be best seen and appreciated.

 

Councillor M B Wyatt welcomed the suggestion made by Councillor P Purver.

 

Members agreed that the location of the Urban Forest Park be rejected, once an alternative location had been secured.

 

Members also agreed that the installation of a mosaic in the form of a poppy in the vicinity of the clock tower should be further explored.

 

The Head of Community Services advised that this suggestion would be put to the working group looking at initiatives in the memorial square area.  It was agreed that the sum carried forward would also be allocated to this project.

 

Green Gym at Melrose Road

The equipment had been ordered and would be installed week commencing 23 January 2017.

 

Scotlands Play Hub Development

It had previously been agreed by the working group to defer any work on identifying improvements to Scotlands Playing Field until the situation regarding the Lillehammer Drive MUGA had been resolved.  This issue was close to being resolved however it was highly unlikely that the MUGA would be relocated at Scotlands Playing Field and as such, members may wish to consider allocating a budget for proposals to develop a play hub.

 

Councillor J Legrys felt there was a need to consider play equipment on the site considering the additional development that was taking place.  He asked whether a costed scheme could be brought to the next meeting.  The Head of Community Services advised that negotiations were still ongoing and felt that the legal proceedings should be concluded prior to a scheme being brought forward.  He added that work would also need to be undertaken in conjunction with Coalville Town Football Club in order to ensure the scheme complemented their facilities.

 

Mobile Vehicle Activated Signage

A meeting which had been arranged with LCC on 9 December 2016 had now been rearranged and would take place on 13 January 2017.  Members would be invited to this meeting to look at the potential locations. 

 

Melrose Road Recreation Ground

Proposals were presented to the group for consideration with an indicative cost of £3,000 - £3,500.  Councillor D Everitt welcomed the proposals which he felt would add to the improvements on the site.  It was agreed that a fully costed scheme be brought to the next meeting.

 

It was moved by Councillor J Legrys, seconded by Councillor R Adams and

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

a)      The progress update on 2016/17 Capital Projects be noted

 

b)      A name change from Urban Forest Park to Coalville Forest Adventure            Park be proposed

 

c)      An alternative site be sought for the Ending of World War 1 Centenary Project

 

d)      The suggestion in respect of a poppy mosaic be referred to the memorial square working group

 

e)      A fully costed scheme for Melrose Road Recreation Ground be brought to the next meeting