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.

Coalville Park Green Flag Award

As referenced within the report, the Coalville park improvement plan was circulated to Members.  The Leisure Services Team Manager highlighted three areas for the first phase of the action plan, refurbishment of the play area, the landscape enhancement of the recreation ground and the community garden project.  He suggested the use of the £35,000 available Section 106 money, as well as to seek match funding for the remaining cost.  He proposed that £1200 be allocated for the graffiti art project for the skate park.  All Members agreed.

Lillehammer Drive

The Leisure Services Team Manager explained that a public meeting was held in January to discuss the possible landscaping schemes however, it was evident that creating a public space was not the wish of the residents due to the previous ASB issues in the area.  It was agreed that consideration would be given to allowing the area to become part of the school but unfortunately, there was a number of covenants imposed on the land, which did not allow it.  Members were asked to consider whether they would like officers to open negotiations with Barratt’s with a view to having the existing covenants lifted.  Councillor J Legrys attended the public meeting and he concurred with earlier comments about residents’ views.  He felt that officers should approach Barratt’s about the covenants and he hoped a good conclusion could be sought.  All Members agreed.

London Road Closed Cemetery

It was reported that the seating had now been installed and a photograph was circulated to Members.  In response to a question from Councillor M B Wyatt, the Leisure Services Team Manager explained that the information board was the only thing now outstanding but it was in progress and that the design of the board would be circulated to Members for comments prior to ordering.  Councillor M B Wyatt asked if there would be any recognition within the area to Bardon Quarry for the funding.  Following discussion, it was agreed to look into having something included on the information board.

Hanging Baskets

It was reported that the hanging baskets for Coalville had been investigated but due to a number of drawbacks including the installation of brackets on private property, and getting legal agreements in place with property owners, this approach would take a considerable amount of time to arrange.  Ffunding had been made available from the High Streets Community Clean Up Fund and a number of flower troughs had been ordered.  The Leisure Services Team Manager circulated the list of the locations for which flower troughs had been ordered and the requested costs for watering.  He also proposed a number of additional options for the purchase of further flower troughs and towers for Members discussion and approval.

Councillor M B Wyatt was disappointed that the hanging baskets were not being pursued and that there were no proposals within the report to overcome the problems that had been discovered.  However, he was pleased that flowers had been ordered and asked officers to look into ‘Coalville in Bloom’ for 2020.  The Leisure Services Team Manager agreed to investigate.

In response to a question from Councillor P Purver, the Cultural Services Team Manager explained that the lighting columns could not be used for the hanging baskets as they were already used for the Christmas lights and the County Council would not allow anything else due to the weight.  Councillor P Purver asked that for future years, officers consider looking into the option of mounting brackets above the shop units that could be used for flowers in the summer and Christmas trees in the winter, as she felt there must be a way to utilise the same bracket for both.

After further discussions, Members agreed to fund the watering costs of £300 and all three option for further flower purchases to have as many flowers as possible in Coalville during the summer.

Bardon Play Area

A plan of phased replacement for play area equipment was circulated to Members with accompanying photographs.  It was reported that £15,714 funding had been received to improve parks and open spaces and it was proposed that this be put towards the replacement of equipment dependant on the priority rating.  Councillor M B Wyatt moved that the work required at the oval play area be undertaken in the current financial year as he felt it was urgent.  It was seconded and agreed by Members.

The Chairman was disappointed that Members had agreed for works to be undertaken on a play area where the equipment was priority 2 and 3 when there were higher priorities in the area.  He asked that costings be provided at the next meeting for each play area so that discussions could be had on replacement of the more urgently required equipment.  In response to a question from Councillor M B Wyatt, the Leisure Services Team Manager confirmed that developers could be asked for contributions to play areas through Section 106 agreements.  He explained that he saw all planning applications and consideration was always given to this as part of the planning process.

RESOLVED THAT:

a)     The 2018/19 Capital Project progress update be noted.

b)     The 2019/20 Capital Projects be noted.

c)      Officers approach Barratt’s to negotiate the further progression of the Lillehammer Drive MUGA site.

d)     Officers investigate into the possibility of entering Coalville into ‘Coalville in Bloom’.

e)     The play equipment at the Oval Play Area be replaced in the current financial year.

RECOMMENDED THAT:

f)       Cabinet approve the allocation of £1200 from Coalville Special Expenses for the graffiti art project towards the progression of the Coalville Park Green Flag Award.

g)     Cabinet approve the allocation of £300 from Coalville Special Expenses for the cost of watering of the ordered flower troughs and a further £6,206 for additional flowers around the town centre, as detailed within the additional papers.

h)     Cabinet approve the allocation of £15,714 of external funding for the improvement of parks and open spaces to upgrade the Oval Play Area in Bardon.