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

Minor improvements had been made to enhance the offer to toddlers through the addition of talking flowers that allow two-way communication. These had now been ordered and it was anticipated that delivery would be taken in mid-August and installation would follow in early September.

It was confirmed that Cabinet had agreed with the recommendation not to change the name of Coalville Park. However, it had been requested that the suggestion to install a peace garden in the park be considered further. The Leisure Services Team Manager confirmed that a potential site within the park had been identified and that plans would now be formulated once a budget for the project had been agreed.

Councillor J Legrys suggested that the Working Party visit the proposed site in order to confirm its suitability for the garden. The Leisure Services Team Manager confirmed that he would arrange such a visit.

Councillor J Legrys enquired whether the project would be completed in time for the annual Remembrance Day commemorations in November. The Leisure Services Team Manager confirmed that this would be the aim.

Owen Street Recreation Ground

It was stated that the electricity upgrade works had been completed. However, it had been ascertained that the £60,000 quote to upgrade the fittings on the floodlight columns would not increase the lux levels to the necessary standard. Consequently, another contractor had been approached with a view to developing proposals that will raise the lux levels to a standard that would be sufficient to cope with a further two promotions. It was anticipated that the new proposals, as well as their cost, would be finalised by the end of August.

The proposed long term lease had now been considered by the football club and had now been returned to Legal Services to finalise. It was stated that, as a short term measure, a one year lease had been agreed and signed in order to satisfy league requirements for the upcoming season.

Once the long term lease had been finalised, the club would be able to apply to the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF) for match funding for the new changing rooms. It was confirmed that the designs had already been approved by the FSIF, as well as by Building Control and the Asset Management Group at the District Council.

It was stated that the football club had commenced the procurement process for the pavilion and that specifications of work had been sent to three building contractors as had been requested by both the FSIF and the Working Party. Each contractor would quote against the existing planning drawings, including all materials and finishes. A JCT (Joints Contract Tribunal) Design and Build contract would then be issued to the successful bidder in order to ensure that the contractor completed the project within the cost they had quoted.

Councillor N Clarke placed on record his thanks to the Leisure Services Team Manager for having regularly updated members of the Working Party with progress on the project.

Councillor J Legrys enquired as to how the planning application for the project was advancing. The Leisure Services Team Manager responded that the application was currently following due process and that indications were that the application would be called in.

Thringstone Miners Social Centre

It was stated that provisional costs and plans had been obtained for the development of an enclosed grass training pitch. The County Council had advised that the proposed footpath extinguishment would not be viable and had instead suggested a footpath diversion. Consequently, costs were currently being sought for a new footpath that would run across the edge of the land that formerly housed Clover Place play area.

Councillor L Spence stated that he was concerned that the social centre appeared to have isolated themselves within the community. He stated that he had been informed by residents who neighbour the site that there had been little consultation on the project. He enquired whether the District Council could encourage the social centre to liaise more closely with the community. The Leisure Services Team Manager confirmed that he would provide feedback to the social centre accordingly.

Cropston Drive BMX Track and Wheeled Sports Facility

It was confirmed that the BMX track had now been completed. Designs and costs for the wheeled sports facility had been received from two contractors. Unfortunately, a third contractor had not responded. Further consultation had now been undertaken with Greenhill Youth Club and Greenhill Community Shop and the opinions of local children had also been sought. It was stated that a final decision on which design would be implemented would be taken once further stakeholders had responded to the consultation.

Councillor N Clarke suggested that a deadline on responses be set in order to prevent the project being delayed any further. The Leisure Services Team Manager confirmed that he would look into this further.

Broomleys Allotments

It was confirmed that the project had been completed and that feedback had continued to be extremely positive.

Councillor J Legrys enquired how many plots had been taken at the allotment. The Leisure Services Team Manager stated that he would look into this and report back accordingly.

Councillor R Johnson asked how many beehives had been installed at the site. The Leisure Services Team Manager stated that he would contact the society in order to establish the figure before informing Members.

Urban Forest Park

It was stated that it had been established that it would be possible to undertake surface water sampling at the site if desired. However, such an approach would only act as a broad screen looking for contaminants that are appropriate to a landfill site, and would not cover every eventuality. It was confirmed that the cost of undertaking such testing would be in excess of £1,000 and that the final cost would be dependent upon the number of samples required.

The Leisure Services Team Manager confirmed that no issues had arisen from the biannual gas monitoring that occurred at the site and stated that Members needed to decide whether further testing was desired.

Councillor J Geary stated the Council found itself in an awkward position in that the possibility of water contamination had now been established. As such, he argued that the Council had a duty of care to test further in order to prevent any liability in the future. He stated that he favoured spending the £1,000 on further testing on this basis.

Councillor J Legrys thanked officers for having taken their concerns seriously. He agreed that the Council needed to take further action. He suggested that the Council’s Health and Safety Officer undertake a proper risk assessment on the footpath and drainage proposals. He stated that he agreed with the idea of testing the surface water and indicated that he thought that this was the minimum that should be done.

Melrose Road Play Area

It was confirmed that the additional safety surfacing had now been fully installed and, as such, the project had now been completed.

Scotlands Changing Pavilion

The £10,000 that had been earmarked for maintenance work on the roof and boilers had now been spent and the work had been completed accordingly. All of the boilers had now been replaced and the roof had been fully refurbished. It was confirmed that, consequently, all balances had now been spent.

Councillor J Legrys proposed that the item remain on the agenda at future meetings of the Working Party due to the possibility of the play equipment at Lillehammer Drive being relocated to the site.

RECOMMENDED THAT:

a)  surface water testing be conducted at the Urban Forest Park.

b)  internal resources be utilised in order to conduct a risk assessment on the footpath and drainage proposals at the Urban Forest Park.