Agenda item - KGV TRUST REPORT

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – PLACE

To receive an update report seeking permission to progress issues around disabled toilet provision and additional storage.

RESOLVED:

(1) That the introduction of charges for the hire of the multi use games area at King George 5th Recreation Ground at weekends and after 5pm on weekdays be approved;

(2) That the Rugby Club taking on maintenance of the disused toilet block adjacent to the play area to use as additional storage space be approved;

(3) That the Hitchin Town Band undertaking works to alter an existing male toilet into a unisex disabled toilet for use by band members and other users of the rugby club, providing the alterations are in line the Equality Act 2010, be approved.

REASON FOR DECISIONS:

(1) The introduction of charges for the use of the multi use games area will help to off set the ongoing running costs especially in relation to the use of the flood lights;

(2) The toilet block is currently unused and could accommodate an increasing demand for storage on site required by the rugby club;

(3) Hitchin Town Band has submitted plans to alter an existing male toilet into a unisex disabled toilet to meet the needs of their members.

Audio recording – 1 minute 15 seconds

The Service Manager – Greenspaces presented the report entitled KGV Trust Report and drew attention to the following:

Disused Toilet Block

· A request had been submitted by the Rugby Club at King George 5th Recreation Ground to convert the old disused toilet block to storage facilities;

· The toilet block was currently outside the boundaries of their lease;

· The Committee was requested to give authority to commence negotiations.

Unisex Disabled Toilet

· A request had been made to convert a toilet within the pavilion to a unisex disabled toilet for users of the pavilion;

· Plans had been received, although they did not meet the provisions of the Equalities Act 2010 and had therefore been returned.

Chares for the use of the MUGA

· On 17 December 2019 Cabinet would be considering the introduction of charges for the hire of Multi Use Games Areas (MUGA);

· The facilities at KGV were used by a lot of clubs and groups and this was not currently providing any income;

· The facilities were currently floodlit and maintained free of charge;

· In order to have a District Wide policy regarding charging, the Sub-Committee was asked to approve the proposals.

The following Members asked questions and commented on the report:

· Councillor Steve Jarvis;

· Councillor Judi Billing;

· Councillor Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg.

In response to questions the Service Manager confirmed that;

· Currently charges were made for the use of pitches, but not for the use of MUGAs;

· Advice had been given regarding the plans for the disabled toilet;

· Primarily use of the MUGAs would be through controlling the floodlights;

· Currently NHDC was funding the cost of repairing wear and tear on use of facilities;

· A similar system had been used at Avenue Park for some time successfully;

· Bookings tended to be in the evenings;

· Consultation with users had taken place and no objections had been made.

Members were concerned that children continue to have free access after school therefore chargeable booking should only take place at weekends and after 5pm on weekdays.