RAOS 2023 Minutes

DEEPING ST JAMES PARISH COUNCIL
The Institute, 38 Church Street, Deeping St James, PE6 8HD
E-mail: clerk@deepingstjames-pc.gov.uk
Tel: 01778 343266
Webpage: //deeping-st-james.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk
Facebook: Deeping St James Parish Council

Parish Clerk: Julie Fortnum

The minutes of the recreation & opens spaces Committee meeting held at 8.00pm on Tuesday 05 September 2023 in the meeting room at the Institute 38 Church Street Deeping St James PE6 8HD.

Present: Councillors Hosking, Shinkins-Hoppe, Smith, Stevens and Townsin (as an observer).

The minutes were taken by the Parish Clerk

24.25   To receive apologies of absence.

Apologies had been received from Councillors Halls and Hosking and were accepted.

24.26   To receive declarations of interest. None declared.

24.27   To agree the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 11 July 2023. The minutes were agreed and signed.

24.28   To receive the Clerk’s report and any update on matters arising from the previous minutes.

Three very successful summer activities were funded by Deeping St James Parish Council run and organised by Our Forest Garden, Artivity and Madcaps.

The Clerk saw an advert for the Rock School Bus (Rock School Bus | Bringing the magic  of music to your community) which may be something to consider at a future event at the Woody Heights or Jubilee Park.

After receiving three quotations for the installation of CCTV at Jubilee Park the Parish Council has resolved to accept the one received from JC Security and Councillor Shinkins- Hoppe and the Clerk will work with the Company towards completing this project.

Following the confirmation from Lincolnshire County Council Legal Services that the Parish Council cannot make a claim for adverse possession of the riverbank as it forms part of  the highway the Clerk has sent an email for the attention of the Highway Asset Management team (including photos and quotations recently obtained to complete the work asking for work to be carried out to the trees along the riverbank – photographic evidence and the quotations recently received have also been included.
A member of the public has contacted the parish Council office asking if the missing wooden post (1 of 4) used as goal posts can be reinstated at the Crowson Way end of Jubilee Park as he has noticed that they are well used and it has been missing for over 2 years and should be a cheap fix. The Clerk has contacted SKDC to see if they will repair this prior to the completion of the transfer of ownership of the park to DSJPC.

There have been two reports of mopeds in Woody Heights (it is understood that this happens frequently) one of a group of youngsters riding around the grassed area carelessly without helmets and causing a danger to other users of the park. The other incident of two mini mopeds being used on the concrete ramps themselves forcing those on trick scooters and BMX bikes to move off the ramps. Both have been reported to
 
Lincolnshire Police and photographic evidence and CCTV footage has been offered to these incidences. The advice given was to report them any future incidences on 999 whilst they were taking place. The Clerk has ordered 2 No motorcycles allowed signs to be placed at both entrances

24.29   To consider the placement of benches along the Green Walk route.

About The Deepings Green Walk

A map of the Deepings Green Walk had been provided to the members prior to the meeting.
Councillor Smith introduced this item and confirmed that Market Deeping Town Council intended to install 4 benches within their parish boundary and he proposed that Deeping St James Parish Council do the same. It was agreed that £3000 should be included in the budget/precept for 2023/24 to purchase and install 4 benches. The following locations  were suggested

-   Linchfield Road on the grassed area either side of the junction to Brewton Drive.

-   Riverbank or highway verge on Eastgate/Station Road corner (colloquially know as Casey’s Corner)

-   Back Lane

Councillor Stevens suggested that the Parish Council should apply to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund via South Kesteven District Council along with any other funding pots available for financial support towards this initiative.

24.30   To finalise details for the Station Road footpath walk to be held on Sunday 10 September 2023 from Exotic Pet Refuge.

Councillor Hosking confirmed that she was willing to lead the walk although she would like an additional volunteer to support. Councillor Smith confirmed that he would be attending. The walk would take place at 2pm starting at the Exotic Pet Refuge incorporating the nature reserve, the riverbank including public right of way 909, Eastgate public right of way 14 and Station Road finishing with refreshments and a tour of the Exotic Pet Refuge.

24.31   To receive and consider the annual play equipment safety inspection reports which were carried out by an independent Royal Society for the prevention of accidents qualified inspector on 9 August 2023.

As these reports were large and detailed Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe had read them and prepared a paper listing all the items with a medium and high-risk factor. The main concerns were the damage to the skatepark surface and the fact that some of the gym equipment needed attention. It was proposed seconded and RESOLVED that the Clerk should contact Gravity parks and Caloo Ltd the respective manufacturers for quotations for repair

The maintenance person who had received training in play inspection and repairs had also been provided with the reports and would work through the lower risk issues that had been reported.

24.32   Jubilee Park

1.   Consideration of preliminary vision for Jubilee Park

2.   Proposal to refurbish Jubilee Park using the services of Groundwork Trust as designers and project managers

Councillor Smith introduced this item and shared his preliminary vision with the members. Councillor Smith introduced everyone to Groundwork (Groundwork - Groundwork), a charity formed 1981 who are used to dealing with all the issues that could ever come up when fulfilling such a project. The expression of interest received from them proposes a project valuing £200,000 although Councillor Smith felt it could be more. They would charge 10% of the capital project value to manage all aspects of the project including raising funds.

Comments were made about the width of the paths being very wide at 3meters and the need for the area to be secured as a priority to restrict access to mopeds but also about the fact that the Parish Council are responsible for other areas in the parish which are not being maintained well and therefore a long-term maintenance plan was required for all areas.

RECOMMENDATION - The Committee resolved that this vision and proposal should be taken forward to full council for further consideration.

24.33   To discuss the maintenance of the planters and planted areas in the community with a view to entering the SKDC community in bloom awards in 2024.

The Clerk had shared a report listing what planters and planted areas there are in the parish and who is responsible for maintaining them.
Councillor Stevens commented that Manor Court Gardens had not and was not being maintained but felt that the shrubs in the planted areas around the grassed area could be salvaged and that a management and maintenance programmed was required.

The Clerk was asked to contact South Kesteven District Council (copying the three District Councillors) to see if the Big Green Clean team were still active and if so ask if the area could be visited by them

24.34   To finalise the organisation of the Remembrance Parade along Church Street on Sunday 12 November 2023.

The Clerk advised that permission to close the road and divert traffic had been obtained by Lincolnshire County Council Highways, the Parish Council had a supply of signs and 4 individuals held the LANTRA traffic management for community events qualification.

It was noted that at the last Council meeting Councillor Dilks in his capacity as Chairman  of the Langtoft The Deepings and District Branch of the Royal British Legion had stated that he intended to arrange meeting of all the parties involved to confirm attendance at this event and the one scheduled to be held on the morning of the same day in Market Deeping. The Clerk was asked to contact Councillor Dilks to obtain a date for the meeting.

24.35   To consider the organisation of the Carols in the Park on Friday 15 December 2023. Councillor Stevens confirmed that the Salvation Army had been booked to attend on Friday 15 December 2023 and she offered to update the previous years poster so that the event could be advertised nearer the time.

Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe advised that she had booked John Dearden to provide Christmas music.

It was noted that as in previous years the Parish Council would provide refreshments and that the Council truck could be used to move items from the institute to the park and back The Clerk was asked to obtain permission from the current landowner to hold the event as it was unknown whether the transfer of ownership of the land would have been completed by then.

24.36   To consider the invitation to take part in D Day 80 beacon lighting event on 6 June 2024. D-DAY 80 BEACONS

Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe advised that she had spoken to the Chairmen of the Deepings Round Table and Deepings Lions who had said they are both interested in working with the Parish Council to hold an event to replace the Carnival however it was noted that the 6th June 2023 was a Thursday so unless it was announced as a public bank holiday it was unlikely that a large-scale event could be held. The committee did agree that the proclamation should be read and the beacon should be lit at 9.15pm on the evening of Thursday 6 June 2023.
 
24.37   To receive a report on the spend against budget for 2023/24.

23.38 To consider the budget requirements for 2024/25.

24.39 To note the date of the next meeting on Tuesday 14 November 2024.