Minutes of the MEETING of the PLAYING FIELDS COMMITTEE held on 11 APRIL 2011
PRESENT: Chair: Councillor Veronica Amos Vice-Chair: Councillor Ralph Small
Councillors: As per Council Meeting
Officers: R N Barnes, Clerk & Financial Officer
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:
An apology for absence was received from Councillor Kevin Jones
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
No declarations of interest were made by Members.
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING:
IT WAS RESOLVED: that the Minutes of the Meetings of the Committee held on 14 March 2011, be received as a true record and that they be signed by the Chair.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES:
There were none
UPGRADING OF PLAY EQUIPMENT:
The Clerk gave a verbal report on the visits made by the Working Group to Flintshire County Council play sites at Mynydd Isa, Higher Kinnerton and Saltney Ferry. He referred to the range and quality of equipment on those sites, copies of photographs of which had been circulated for Members information.
The Clerk said that the Working Group had agreed that Mr Richard Roberts of Flintshire County Council’s Leisure Services Department should liaise with play equipment suppliers and produce three or four scheme concepts for both Gladstone Playing Fields and Yowley Road Playing Fields for subsequent consultation with young people.
Councillor Brown commented on the usefulness of the visits and the quality of equipment viewed, which she looked forward to being introduced to Gladstone Playing Fields and Yowley Road Playing Field. She said however she was mindful that other play sites should also have some improvement noting that Circular Drive Play Area was likely to be improved in the near future arising from the Section 106 agreement tied to the housing development on land off Mold Road, Ewloe. She said that she would support phased improvements of the Plough Lane Playing Field and Mancot Play Area by the introduction of one piece of equipment per annum, as these were well
- 166 - Chair’s Signature______used sites. Councillor Hardcastle supported this proposal.
Councillor Judith Hough spoke of the support which had been given by Members of the Hawarden Junior Council to the possible provision of a teen shelter in the Community but noted earlier comments which had been made in connection with a possible better use of monies for the provision of play equipment. Councillor Brown recalled that in the past the Police had advised that there might possibly be outside funding available for this purpose and suggested that it be discussed at the May Staff & General Purposes Committee when the local Community Beat Manager and PCSO were present.
IT WAS RESOLVED:
(a) to note that Richard Roberts of Flintshire’s Leisure Services Department, in conjunction with play equipment suppliers, would be producing three/four concept schemes for consideration by the Council and local youngsters in respect of both Gladstone Playing Fields and Yowley Road Playing Fields.
(b) the Clerk should obtain estimates for the provision of a Galaxy Supernova play item and associated safety surfacing for possible provision at Mancot Lane and Plough Lane Playing Fields.
FIELDS IN TRUST QUEEN ELIZABETH II FIELDS CHALLENGE:
IT WAS RESOLVED: to note the correspondence received from Flintshire County Council but not to submit any of the Council’s recreation grounds for such designation.
HAWARDEN PARK CRICKET CLUB – RELOCATION TO MOOR LANE:
The Chair referred members to the briefing report prepared by the Club in connection with its proposed relocation from its existing ground to Moor Lane.
IT WAS RESOLVED: to receive the report, noting the Council’s in principle support for the relocation but reserving its final views until the planning application detailing the precise scheme was received.
CLERK’S REPORT:
The Clerk advised that the Gladstone Playing fields tennis courts would open on 21 April in readiness for the Easter weekend.
MEMBERS’ INFORMATION ITEMS:
There were none
- 167 - Chair’s Signature______