Notes of the Open Spaces Committee Walk Round

Haylings Pond, King Georges Avenue Recreation Ground, Community Orchard and Victory Road Recreation Ground

28 September 2020 – 5pm

Those present: Cllr David Bailey

Cllr Bing Boast

Cllr John Last

Cllr Lesley Hill

Cllr Mary Anne Woolf

Mrs Caroline Rinder – Deputy Town Clerk

Mrs Hannah Everett-Spearing – Assets Co-ordinator

Apologies: Cllr Levermore, Cllr Ginger, Cllr Cooper

Haylings Pond

Mrs Everett-Spearing told Councillors that the willow trees by the bank of the pond were due to be pollarded any day now, as their branches were now covering the path down to the pond.

Mr Gary Whiting, Chairman of the Youth and Community Angling Society (LYCAS) was present at Hayling’s Pond and was invited by Mrs Everett-Spearing to talk through with Councillors the proposal of refurbishing the patio area around the pond, due to health and safety issues. Mr Whiting reported that when the paving slabs were originally laid, it was suspected that the slabs were only dabbed with cement and combining that with the leaking from the pond, with a flow of water being able to escape under these slabs, was causing many of the slabs to move and become unsafe to stand on.

Mr Whiting would like to replace this patio area and reline the ponds edge to stop any water escaping from the pond as well as adding a lip to the patio edge, to define where the patio stops and the water starts, in line with the other side of the pond. This will help prevent buggies/wheelchairs from rolling straight into the pond if brakes are not applied.

Mr Whiting confirmed that the cost of this job would be £1,200.00 for materials, but all the labour would be carried out by members of the Fishing club, who are all skilled in many different fields. Councillors agreed that this area looked unsafe and a report would be taken to the October Council meeting for discussion. Action: Council

The Leiston Youth and Community Angling Society have also asked for permission to place a picnic bench on the other side of the ramp, as this area is used a lot during their matches. The club are pleased to say their membership has now reached 200 members and this year their events have been a great success (social distanced and following Government guidelines). So, any additional seating would be welcomed. Action: Council

Cllr Last asked if works are granted that the Council are provided with the relevant Risk Assessments of the job from the LYCAS. Action: Mrs Everett-Spearing.

Cllr Hill raised concerns about a tree near the top of Hayling’s Pond near the back footpath leading around Hayling’s Pond, as a branch has broken away. Mrs Rinder reported that all our trees were due to have an inspection this month and we were waiting on a report. It was expected that the tree branch had broken due to the recent high winds.

Cllr Last asked about the new information boards for Hayling’s Pond. Mrs Everett-Spearing explained that due to the Covid situation, these had been paused, but are still being investigated further. Designs for the information boards to be shown at the next Open Spaces Committee. Action: Mrs Everett-Spearing.

All Councillors agreed that Hayling’s Pond was looking very good.

King Georges Avenue Recreation Ground

Councillors commented on the build-up of rubbish but were pleased to see the park being used by a large number of children.

Councillors noticed that Covid signage had been removed and new signs to be reinstated. It was noted that East Suffolk Council had installed their own Covid signs for advice on using the play equipment. Action: Mrs Everett-Spearing.

Community Orchard

Councillors were pleased to see that the Orchard had been mowed and was looking in good order. Mrs Everett-Spearing had received concerns from Cllr Levermore which needed to be looked at with regards to the orchard.

Cllr Levermore was pleased to see the commemorative plaques were in place following the planting of trees by two residents but was concerned for the health of the Scouts plum tree. It was reported that Marcus Burch from the Scouts, cut down the dead section and hoped the remaining section would carry on growing. On inspection the tree looked in good health and was now growing well.

Cllr Levermore noticed that the bracken along the east boundary hadn’t been removed. Since Cllr Levermore’s visit this had now been done, allowing for the daffodil bulbs to grow without being spoilt by the bracken.

Concerns were raised by Cllr Levermore with regards to the picnic benches, as they looked very warped and as though they were sinking and asked if we could seat these benches on concrete pads. On inspection, Mrs Rinder informed the Councillors that the benches were cemented into the ground, so would be very hard to dig out and seat on to concrete pads. The benches at present were still useable, but to monitor the situation.

Lastly, Cllr Levermore asked whether another bulb planting this autumn would be a good idea. After a discussion, Councillors felt that due to the current climate, that maybe the bulb planting should be left this year, as it may be hard to find volunteers due to all the Government ever changing restrictions. Cllr Last suggested bulbs would need to be ordered soon ready for Autumn planting if bulb planting was to go ahead.

Cllr Hill was keen to look at also introducing other bulbs instead of daffodils to give a wider variety of flowers and plants within the Orchard. Councillors agreed that it would be nice for more shrubs within the corners and Cllr Woolf mentioned the use of native wild flowers, like the dwarf daffodils and blue bells. Comments was also made about how to make the Orchard seem more attractive and make it less like an open field. Mrs Everett-Spearing suggested that the use of wooden pergolas could be used at the entrances/exits of the Orchard, with native plants growing up and over them. This would help define the Orchard and offer a little bit of shade, while we wait for the trees to mature. Idea to be taken forward at the next Open Spaces Committee.

Councillors noticed that the Wild Meadow was unsuccessful this year and suggested that NORSE might be able to advise on how to develop this area further. Councillors asked for the Wild Meadow to be discussed at the next Ground Maintenance meeting in October, to see what had happened to it this year and what we should do next. Actioned: Ground Maintenance Meeting.

Cllr Hill asked for an update on the footpath fence by the primary school and sports field, Mrs Everett-Spearing informed Councillors that the fencing had been ordered and that is due in mid-October, with the hope that the new fencing would be complete by the beginning of November.

Victory Road Avenue Recreation Ground

Councillors were pleased to see the new foot pump hand sanitising stations have been installed near the outside gym and the small playground and that the park was looking in good order. It was also nice to see the skate park was being so well used.