PLAYING FIELD COMMITTEE

Minutes of the meeting of the Playing Field Committee held at 7.30pm on Thursday, 22 January 2004 at The Institute. Councillor Shinkins, Chair, presided over Councillor Helyar, Councillor Anderson (ex-officio member) and the clerk. The Clerk Designate was also present.

001    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Cllr Dilks due to a work commitment.

002    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST None.

003    MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 December 2003, having previously been circulated, were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chair.

004    REVIEW OF COST, FINANCING, EQUIPMENT PROPOSALS AND FUTURE MANAGEMENT OF THE REFURBISHMENT PROJECT

The clerk reported that an application to the Community Grant Scheme had been submitted on 14 January 2004 and an application to the Lottery Awards for All is also to be submitted. The Clerk Designate had been advised by an officer at Lottery Awards for All that previous applications for skate park funding from other parish councils had been successful but that emphasis on the sport or health-related nature of the project should be made when completing the application. After discussion it was agreed that the application should be made based on the health-related issues.

The clerk was requested to write to all the funding organisations who have agreed funds to provide an update on the progress of the scheme.

Cllr Shinkins reported that the Deepings Round Table had agreed to award £500 to the project and that pledges for donations were anticipated from other businesses in the area.

Cllr Shinkins reported that Lincolnshire Police are to review the site and will report back with regard to the siting of CCTV equipment. Cllr Anderson expressed concern that the privacy of local residents could be affected by the use of the cameras. It was agreed that this will be assessed when the report is received.

The clerk reported that following the last meeting, estimates for the ground works element of the project had been sought. Two estimates had been received. After considering these, members agreed that there seemed insufficient cost savings achievable by using separate suppliers in conjunction with a project manager when compared with the likely cost of a turn-key operation. It was agreed that a turn-key project would be the best option and that the necessary preparation works for the tender process should be undertaken at the next meeting for approval by the Council at the meeting on 26 February 2004. Cllr Shinkins will obtain from S.K.D.C. a list of approved suppliers and other companies who had shown previously shown an interest in the scheme will also be invited to tender.

Members were reminded that an order could not be placed until sufficient funds were available and that one option was to seek a loan to finance the remaining balance of funds needed. The Committee considered this but agreed that it was not a favourable option. Further fund raising opportunities will be sought.

Cllr Anderson reported that a potential trip hazard needed attention. This will be referred back to the contractor who undertook the recent works.

005    DATE OF NEXT MEETING Tuesday, 10 February 2004 at 7.30pm.

There being no further business, the meeting was closed at 8.40pm.