Minutes of the Open Spaces Committee Meeting

15 June 2021, 7.00pm

Held in the Community Centre, King Georges Avenue, Leiston

Present: Cllr Selena Levermore (Chair)

Cllr John Last

Cllr Bing Boast

Cllr Mary Anne Woolf

Mrs Hannah Everett-Spearing (Facilities Co-ordinator)

Mrs Beverly Kemp (Admin Assistant)

At the start of the meeting Mrs Everett-Spearing updated councillors on the recent vandalism issues within our park areas. All incidents have been reported to the Police and we have made contact with both of the local schools. The Town Clerk will also raise these issues at the next ASB meeting.

POST MEETING NOTE: We have posted the following statement on the Council Facebook page today: LEISTON TOWN COUNCIL ARE AWARE OF THE RECENT VANADLISM WITHIN OUR PARKS. WE ARE TREATING THIS VERY SERIOUSLY AND ALL ISSUES HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE POLICE. IF YOU SEE ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY PLEASE REPORT IT TO 101 AND NOTIFY THE TOWN COUNCIL OFFICE. YOUR SUPPORT IN HELPING US TO TACKLE THESE MINDLESS ACTS OF VANDALISM ARE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.

1. APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

It was proposed by Cllr Last, seconded by Cllr Boast and agreed that Cllr Levermore be appointed Chairman of the Committee.

Action

2. PUBLIC FORUM

No members of the public were in attendance.

3. APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from Cllr Cooper, Cllr Hill and Cllr Corbett

4. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 19 JANUARY 2021 AND WALK AROUND ON 20 APRIL 2021

It was proposed by Cllr Boast, seconded by Cllr Last and agreed that the minutes were a true record.

5. MATTERS ARISING

Playground/Parks Waste Clearance – 19 January 2021

Mrs Everett-Spearing informed Councillors that the concrete bin at King Georges had now been replaced.

Dog Waste Bins – 19 January 2021

Mrs Everett-Spearing informed Councillors that the dog bins in Seaward Avenue and by the Leisure Centre have been replaced. It was agreed by councillors not to put a dog bin in Buller Road.

Woodland Trust Fight Against Climate Change – 19 January 2021

Cllr Levermore has applied for the Autumn pack of wild hedging available through this campaign, if successful we will receive 420 saplings providing a 100 metres of hedging. After a short discussion it was agreed to recommend to Council that if successful we should purchase an additional pack of wild hedging from the Woodland Trust at a cost of £50 giving us 200 metres of hedging in total.

King Georges Recreation Ground – 20 April 2021

Mrs Everett-Spearing is in the process of replacing the welcome signs.

Mrs Everett-Spearing informed councillors the cost of additional litter picks in the park would be £25 per visit. After a short discussion it was agreed to recommend to Council that an additional litter pick is carried out once a month.

Mrs Everett Spearing informed councillors that canopies for shading start at £9500 for a standard 3m by 3m size. Cllr Levermore suggested planting large fast growing trees as an alternative. After a brief discussion it was decided to take this forward to Grounds Maintenance for Paul Tynans advice on suitable trees.

Mrs Everett-Spearing is still obtaining quotes for the new play equipment.

Mrs Everett-Spearing informed councillors that she had received one quote of £12221.00 from TMS to tarmac the BMX track for scooters. Cllr Last requested that we obtained further quotes to ensure competitive tendering and confirmation of value for money. After a brief discussion it was agreed to take this forward to the skatepark project youth working group for their views.

Community Orchard

The watering schedule was agreed at the Ground Maintenance meeting.

Councillors highlighted issues concerning grass cutting and asked for this to be raised at Grounds Maintenance 14 July 2021.

Councillors discussed Autumn bulb planting. They would like to plant more daffodils and a variety of wildflowers to enhance what is already there. Cllr Levermore is going to research bulbs. It was agreed to take this recommendation to council and ask for funding.

Mrs Everett-Spearing to obtain a quote from Fullers for the levelling of entrances and arches/pergolas.

After a brief discussion about benches it was agreed to recommend to Council that we purchase 4 benches at a cost of £2,000 plus installation.

Victory Road Recreation

Mrs Everett-Spearing informed Councillors she has contacted Paul Tyan about the shrubs and is waiting for a quote.

Mrs Everett-Spearing to arrange painting of the toddler area climbing frame.

It was decided to launch the ‘where does ‘Tommy’ belong’ campaign in our Autumn newsletter. Councillors to consider three possible locations for ‘Tommy’ (giving consideration to vandalism hotspots) at the next Council meeting for the public to vote on.

The bench replacements for the park area where agreed.

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Council

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Grounds Maintenance

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Grounds Maintenance

SL, Council

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Council

6. UPDATE ON HAYLINGS POND PATIO AREA

Mrs Everett-Spearing reported that the works on the patio area are now complete. Councillors noted the report from LYCAS regarding their bid to get

a footpath installed for disabled access. Councillors agreed in principal to allow the works to be carried out subject to a site visit with the LYCAS Committee (Mrs Everett-Spearing to arrange), additional checks by ROSPA and request the container colour be in keeping with the surrounding area. Cllr Last suggested that the Council consider supporting this project should LYCAS not be successful in their bid for funding.

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7. NOTICEBOARDS

Mrs Everett-Spearing to obtain a quote from Harry Stebbing in house design team, to design the notice boards to include QR codes for the Community Orchard and Haylings Pond.

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8. SKATE PARK ENHANCEMENT

Council agreed the recommendation to upgrade the skate park. After a short discussion it was decided to set up a small working party to include young people of the town to put ideas together. Mrs Everett Spearing will contact the youth groups within the town. Mrs Everett-Spearing informed councillors she has also contacted other local councils for recommendations on design teams and contractors.

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9. GOAL POSTS, FARROW CLOSE

Councillors discussed the replacement of the goals at Farrow Close. It was agreed to recommend to Council that these are replaced at a cost of £3,070.00

Council

10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Nothing was raised.

11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

A walk around is scheduled for Monday 20 September 2021, 5pm meeting at Victory Road recreation ground.