Agenda item

Report of the Leisure Services Team Manager

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

Owen Street Recreation Ground

Following concerns regarding the sustainability of the floodlights, officers had met with Property Services to identify a number of options and associated costs.  These would be circulated to Members in due course.  Any funding streams available were also being investigated.

The official opening of the changing pavilion would be taking place on 8 November.  All Coalville Special Expenses Working Party Members had been formally invited and the format of the event was detailed within the report.

Hermitage FM had asked to place a radio transmitter at Owen Street Recreation Ground and work was currently underway to progress this with the support from officers and Members.

Thringstone Minors Social Centre Training Pitch

Planning approval had been given for both the fencing and footpath diversion, in addition the Board had three new trustees and a new Chair.  It was hoped that the progression of the training pitch would be discussed at the next meeting of trustees in October/November.

Coalville Forest Adventure Park

In accordance with Members request at the last meeting to fund proposed improvements to the park, officers were finalising a bid for funding for the submission deadline of 30 October.  The application would be considered on 27 November.

Mobile Vehicle Activated Signs

The Community Focus Officer advised that Leicestershire County Council had inspected and approved the proposed columns.  As per the Council’s procurement rules, quotes from three companies had been obtained and the details were circulated to Members.  After further discussions Members preference was option three – Messagemaker Displays.  The Community Focus Officer also advised that Leicestershire County Council had agreed to collect data from Warren Hills Road over the coming weeks and would be meeting with officers in November to discuss the options available.

Melrose Road Recreation Ground

The seating would be installed at the end of September and the planting of the shrubbery would take place in February.  Councillor D Everitt referred to a decision made at a previous meeting to site one of the benches at the play hub and asked if this had been done.  Members were still happy with the previous agreement and therefore The Leisure Services Team Manager agreed to make the arrangements.

Melrose Road Play Hub

Although the landowner of the wooded area agreed in principle to the installation of the footpath in July, formal written approval had not yet been received despite officers numerous attempts.  The Leisure Services Team Manager assured Members that officers would continue to pursue this.

Coalville Park

Concerns had been received regarding the quality of the play equipment and Members noted previous investments.  Councillor M B Wyatt commented that the equipment was poor.

The toilets were currently being vandalised on a regular basis.  Property Services were looking at options available to reduce anti-social behaviour and the ongoing costs associated with the damage caused.  All options would be brought back to the group for consideration.

Discussions had been had with Fields in Trust regarding placing Coalville Park in trust in perpetuity in order to protect it as an open space.  Currently, Fields in Trust had an initiative which encouraged landowners to dedicate a recreational space as a ‘Centenary Field’ to commemorate the end of World War 1 and to remember those that lost their lives.  The peace garden might meet the criteria for this and could be another way to celebrate the centenary in 2018. Councillor M B Wyatt felt that it was difficult to support the proposal when in his opinion the cemetery opposite, in which war veterans had been laid to rest, could be developed rather than Coalville Park.  He asked if it was possible to have a two designate areas so close together.  The Chairman responded that it would be possible to have both spaces designated, if the criteria was met.  Councillor R Adams questioned if a cemetery could be designated as the definition referred to ‘the protection of places for recreation, sporting activities and open space’.  Discussions then ensued regarding whether a cemetery was a place for recreation.  The Head of Economic Development agreed to look into options for the cemetery with regards to Fields in Trust and to report back to the next meeting.

Desire had been expressed to obtain the Green Flag Award for Coalville Park and if Members were supportive, officers would consider the implications of assessment and any improvements that may be required to obtain the accreditation. As Ward Member, Councillor J Legrys was very supportive.  He understood it would involve a lot of work and investment but would like officers to investigate further.  Members agreed.  In response to a question from Councillor N Clarke, the Head of Economic Development confirmed that there would be a cost involved to apply for the accreditation and there would need to be some investment to improve the standard of the park.

Lillehammer Drive

The Section 106 Deed of Variation had finally been signed by both the District Council and Barratt’s, with the understanding that this meant that the MUGA would have to be removed within six weeks and then the commuted sum for the maintenance of open space would be received.  Unfortunately it had transpired that not all planning conditions had been fulfilled and officers were still waiting for a revised landscaping scheme to replace the MUGA.  Officers had attempted to resolve the matter but Barratt’s had been unresponsive.  Members were assured that Legal Services were continuing attempts to resolve the matter.

Councillor J Legrys commented that officers had worked tirelessly on the matter and he was aware that the fault lied with the developer.  He congratulated officers on their persistence.

It was moved by Councillor N Clarke, seconded by Councillor R Adams and

RESOLVED THAT:

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

b)   The mobile vehicle activated signs be purchased from Messagemaker Displays.