Agenda item

INFORMATION NOTE OF THE HEAD OF LEISURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

To receive an information note on the Green Space Strategy.

RESOLVED: That the Parks and Countryside Development Manager be requested to bring a further update regarding progress made in respect of play areas to the meeting of this Committee due to be held on 20 March 2018.

REASON FOR DECISION: To keep the Overview and Scrutiny Committee apprised of the progress made in respect of play areas, prior to consideration by Cabinet.

The Committee received an information note entitled Green Space Strategy.

The Parks and Countryside Development Manager informed Members that the Information Note included details of the actions taken since February 2017 and the progress made regarding play areas and pavilions.

The team had been very proactive in seeking those interested in taking on responsibility for the play areas which included placing signage at the relevant play areas and putting information on the NHDC website.

In respect of progress made he made the following comments:

Bakers Close, Baldock

Since the information note was produced another group had expressed interest in taking on the pavilion.

St Johns Changing Rooms and Cadwell Lane, Hitchin

The football clubs using the sites were keen to take on the buildings and work was being undertaken with Community Development and the clubs to produce business cases to check that this was a viable option.

This building was in a poor condition and had been deemed by the Council as beyond economic repair therefore a lot of work would be required to bring the building up to standard.

Walsworth Changing Rooms, Hitchin

No interest had been expressed in the existing building however it was the Council’s intention, subject to securing Section 106 funding, to build a new pavilion on the site and make it the hub for football in Hitchin.

Play Areas

The Council had updated its sponsorship ethos and were seeking sponsorship for larger play areas, skate parks, flowerbeds and splash parks.

This could bring in additional income to the Council which could in turn offset some of the planned closures of the smaller play areas.

Betjeman Road and Farrier Court, Royston

Royston Town Council had met to discuss the two play areas in Royston and decided not to take them on. Royston Members were seeking alternative methods of funding them.

Ivel Road, Baldock

There had been no expressions of interest for this very small play area.

Dacre Road, Hitchin

There had been no expressions of interest.

Rosehill, Hitchin

This site had a lot of community support, including the submission of a petition, however there had as yet been no offers of funding.

Symonds Road, Hitchin

This was a very small site that had not received any expressions of interest.

Jackmans Recreational Ground, Letchworth

A community group had expressed interest and were very keen to take on the management of this play area. The group had sought sponsorship from businesses to fund the ongoing maintenance of the site.

Linnet Close, Letchworth

There had been some community support for this play area, but no offers of funding.

Oaktree Close, Letchworth

No expressions of interest had been received for this very small site.

Chilterns, Cleveland Way, Fairfield Crescent and Merrick Close, Great Ashby

Detailed talks had taken place with Great Ashby Community Council and they were currently undertaking a survey of local residents to ascertain what they want regarding play areas in the future. The result of this survey was due at the end of July which may then produce potential solutions for these play areas.

The Parks and Countryside Development Manager advised that he would present an update to this Committee in March 2018 prior to a report being presented to Cabinet.

In respect of those pavilions deemed as beyond economic repair, Members queried whether the agreements made with organisations regarding these would reflect this.

The Parks and Countryside Development Manager advised that the buildings deemed as beyond economic repair would be leased at a peppercorn rate.

Members noted that, even if a play area was closed, there would still be an expense for the Council for grounds maintenance of the area. They also commented that the costs for removal of pavilions could be given to organisations taking on these buildings.

The Parks and Countryside Development Manager confirmed that the Council had decided that, even if play equipment were removed the green space would be retained and maintained to a high standard.

If a third party took on responsibility for a play area, the Council would maintain the revenue expenditure that would have been spent if the equipment was removed by continuing to cut the grass, maintain trees etc. It would purely be the maintenance and upkeep of the play equipment that would transfer to the third party.

In respect of pavilions, the Parks and Countryside Development Manager advised that the difficulty in giving third parties the money set aside for demolition was that, if that organisation did not continue, the pavilion would have to be demolished anyway.

Members commended the work undertaken and the innovative methods being used.

RESOLVED: That the Parks and Countryside Development Manager be requested to bring a further update regarding progress made in respect of play areas to the meeting of this Committee due to be held on 20 March 2018.

REASON FOR DECISION: To keep the Overview and Scrutiny Committee apprised of the progress made in respect of play areas, prior to consideration by Cabinet.