Agenda item

Report of the Leisure Services Team Manager

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

Owen Street Recreation Ground

A number of concerns had been raised regarding the sustainability of the floodlights as the lux levels would be inadequate if the club were promoted, the light fittings were outdated and were becoming difficult to replace, plus the light columns were now reaching the end of their natural life.  Members would be presented with options and costs at a future meeting.  The Chairman requested that a professional survey be undertaken on the lighting columns as he believed they should have a longer lifespan.  The Leisure Services Team Manager stated that an appropriate survey would be undertaken through Property Services.

Councillor M B Wyatt asked if the football club would provide some of the funding for the works required as he felt that the cost should not fall completely on the tax payer, the Chairman concurred.  The Leisure Services Team Manager explained that once the cost had been obtained there would be a number of funding options available including the football club itself, this would be considered by the group at a future meeting.  He also clarified that the lighting columns would be the Council’s responsibility as the landlord.

Thringstone Miners Social Centre Training Pitch

The new chairman was currently working with the football club to appoint to a number of vacant positions on the board, once this had been completed the work would continue on gaining the funding for the training pitch.  Councillor D Everitt questioned if the lamp post in the middle of the area had been considered.  The Leisure Services Team Manager explained that it had been included as part of the footpath diversion which had already received planning approval.

Coalville Forest Adventure Park

The Buccaneer play equipment had been vandalised beyond repair and would cost approximately £9,000 to replace which had not been budgeted for.  Therefore officers were investigating other options that would be in line with the new name of Coalville Forest Adventure Park, these would be presented at the next meeting.  As the equipment was not insured it did highlight the risk of other play equipment.  In addition, the outcome of a recent survey had also identified the memorial at Coalville park as a risk.  An insurance quote would be presented to members for a decision at the next meeting but it was likely to be around 100 pounds per year.  The Chairman felt that it was important to have adequate insurance as soon as possible and therefore recommended that permission be given for officers to go ahead and purchase an insurance policy once the quotes had been received up to the value of 100 pounds.  Members were in agreement.

The Leisure Services Team Manager added that officers were also looking into the cost of insuring the statue outside the library and he would circulate details to Members via email.

The Leisure Services Team Manager introduced Rosie Biggs, the Horticultural Officer who worked within the Grounds Maintenance Team and was responsible for putting together proposals and costings for projects such as this. 

Councillor J Legrys referred to the available Section 106 money to further enhance the facilities as mentioned within the report and asked where it was coming from.  The Leisure Services Team Manager explained that the two adjoining developments provided the Section 106 money which had been used to fund the buccaneer play equipment, footpaths, drainage and fencing.  It stated within the agreement for the money to only be used for improvements to the park and there was £4,781 still left to be allocated.

The Leisure Services Team Manager reminded Members that the name of the park would be changing to Coalville Forest Adventure Park.  Members were asked to consider if they wanted to fund the replacement of the buccaneer play equipment or to develop the area to fit in with the new name.  The plans were displayed for Members detailing proposed improvements to make the area more appealing to families.  Proposals included:

-  A 321 recreation run site which was advocated by Sporting England, funding for this has already been secured through Leicestershire and Rutland Sport.

-  Potential play options

-  Picnic area with benches

-  Willow tunnels and structures

-  Nature elements to work with local schools including bird boxes

-  Additional walk ways

It was reported that the cost for these improvements would be in the region of £6,000 which was slightly over what was available from the Section 106 Money. By not including the play and picnic areas, the project would be brought to within budget or the additional funds could be agreed from Coalville Special Expenses.

Councillor M B Wyatt suggested that Cabinet be asked to fund half of the additional cost required as people from outside of Coalville would be using the park.  All Members were in agreement.

Councillor P Purver raised concerns with the suggestion of a picnic area as there had been issues in previous years with youths and vandalism, she believed picnic benches would encourage people to congregate and cause problems.  Other Members did not agree as they believed the benches would be beneficial and that they should not be put off by the possibility of vandalism.

Scotlands Play Hub Development

As previously agreed, work on identifying improvements to Scotlands Playing field has been deferred until the issues with Lillehammer Drive MUGA has been resolved.  Councillor J Legrys expressed his disappointment that the issues with the Lillyhammer Drive MUGA were still ongoing as it had been closed for some time.  He appreciated that officers were trying and that the developer was causing delays.  The Head of Community Services reported that the Legal Team had now been instructed to move things forward and once agreed details would be presented to the group to make the decision of how to allocate funds. 

Mobile Vehicle Activated Signage

The Community Focus Officer had met with Leicestershire County Council Officers in January regarding the options available for locating the signs and these were detailed within the report.  It was suggested that a further visit to the sites be arranged which Members would be invited.  Once a final decision on locations had been made, Leicestershire County Council Officers would visit to assess whether the columns were suitable.  The Community Focus Officer asked any Members that could not attend site visits to email her with their preferred locations.

In response to a question from Councillor R Adams, the Community Focus Officer explained that Warren Hills Road had been deemed unsuitable because there was not a safe footpath for engineers to affix the bracket or for the sign to be accessed for changing locations.  She explained that the officer could not make any suggestions for a safer alternative as that was not within her remit, she was only assessing the preferred sites.  The Chairman requested that a suitable officer from Leicestershire County Council be asked to visit the site to gain advice as he strongly felt that the signage should be used on Warren Hills Road, he added that Members would attend any meetings to support the case.  The Community Focus Officer agreed to investigate this further.  The Leisure Services Team Manager commented that making a suitable site on Warren Hills Road may incur costs, Members were happy to fund what was required.

Melrose Road Recreation Grounds, Park Development

The proposals put together by the Horticultural Officer were circulated to Members which included planted areas, benches and a change of name to Thringstone Park. The intention was to encourage people to the park for more than just football games.  Due to the fitness equipment being situated on grass which could get very muddy, it was also proposed that a footpath be inserted from the main path to the equipment and then on to the wooded area behind the park.  It would include steps down into the wooded area and provide clear access.  The total cost was approximately £4,000.  The Chairman raised concerns regarding the steep descent into the wooded area and believed it was dangerous, he felt the footpath needed to be created safely with a handrail along the steps or fenced off completely to stop people using it.  Members agreed that steps and handrail be placed at the entrance to the wooded area.

A discussion was had on the positioning of the proposed benches in the area and the benefits of placing a bench at the play area debated.  Councillor D Everitt’s preference was that at least one bench be placed at the football area.  It was agreed that one bench to be placed at the football area and one bench to be placed at the play area.

Regarding the consultation with Friends of Thringstone, it was reported that they were happy with the proposals being considered by Members.  A discussion was had regarding the planted area and if Friends of Thringstone would contribute to the maintenance of it.  It was agreed that the group to be approached to discover what input they would be prepared to have. 

Councillor P Purver asked for her thanks to passed onto to the appropriate team as the flowerbeds around Coalville looked fantastic.

RESOLVED THAT:

a)      The completion of the two 2016/17 Capital Projects be noted.

b)      The progress update on 2017/18 Capital Projects be noted.

c)      The decision to purchase an insurance policy for the memorial at Coalville Park up to the value of £100 be delegated to officers.

d)      Cabinet be requested to fund half of the additional cost required for the improvements to Coalville Forest Adventure Park.

e)      The footpath improvements for Melrose Road Recreation Ground including footpath and steps into the wooded area be agreed.

f)       Two benches be agreed for Melrose Road Recreation Ground, one to be placed at the football area and one at the play area.

g)      Friends of Thringstone be asked what input they were prepared to have in the maintenance of the Melrose Road Recreation Ground.