RAOS May 2025 DRAFT Minutes
The Minutes of the Recreation & Open Spaces Committee meeting held at 8.00pm on Tuesday 13 May 2025 in the meeting room at the Institute 38 Church Street Deeping St James PE6 8HD.
Present: Councillors Burdock, Hosking, Laws, Neville, Rose, Shinkins-Hoppe, Smith, Stevens, Townsin.
The Minutes were taken by Assistant Clerk Louise Brown.
25.62 To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Parish Clerk prior to the meeting.
No apologies were received.
25.63 To receive declarations of interest.
No declarations of interest were received.
25.64 To agree the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 11 March 2025.
The Minutes were considered a true representation and were agreed and signed.
An update was requested on the status of installation of noticeboards and the Assistant Clerk advised that two had been installed to date – one at Frognall and one at Thackers Way entrance to Jubilee Park.
25.65 To receive the Clerk’s report and any update on matters arising from the previous minutes.
The Annual Parish Meeting and Making a Difference Award presentations took place in the Priory Hall on Monday 28 April 2025
The VE Day 80 event and Beacon Lighting took place on the evening of Thursday 8 May 2025
The Monkey Challenge climbing wall was installed at Hereward way play area on Saturday 29 March 2025
Summer activities for Primary School age children have been arranged with Our Forest Garden and Artivity Studios for weeks commencing 28 July and 4 August respectively and Madcaps have agreed to run activities for a further week, date to be confirmed.
The Mural was installed on Jubilee Park (Thackers Way end) on 31 March 2025 followed by an event at the Deepings Community Library where the story accompanying the mural was shared and copies mand available.
The location of the bench being donated by Legend on a Bench Charity has been agreed (Crowson Way end of Jubilee Park) and will be installed on 19 May with a reveal date of the 29 May 2025.
Two of the eight noticeboards obtained via a UK Shared Prosperity Fund grant have been installed. The remaining six will be installed when the locations have been agreed and time allows.
One of the five CCTV cameras at Woody Heights has been replaced
Box Blight has been discovered on the hedges at Spalding Road/Broadgate Lane junction and Priory Farm Corner on Broadgate Lane and a product has been purchased to deal with this.
Custom Fencing Ltd of Crowland have been contracted to install straining posts and galvanised wire fencing at the wilding area on Jubilee Park
South Kesteven District Council have agreed to, and been given access by Anthem Trust to do so, remove the Deeping Leisure Centre sign that has remained in place near the Sixth Form block on Linchfield Road. This will be completed during the May School holidays.
25.66 To consider the Parish Council’s involvement at the South Kesteven District Council event on Thursday 12 June 2025, part of the Great Big Green Week The Great Big Green Week.
Cllr Shinkins-Hoppe began by advising that this is not a DSJPC event. No action is to be taken about holding a Jubilee Park Consultation at the same time, until a decision has been taken by SKDC on 19th May 2025, regarding if this event is going ahead.
25.67 To consider whether to charge external organisations when they request permission to hold events on Jubilee Park.
After some consideration regarding electricity bills, public liability insurance and discretion for Charities; Councillors agreed that a small charge should be made to help cover the electricity bill that is generated at Jubilee Park. It was considered that a £10 admin fee was acceptable, plus a £15 electricity fee per day (to be confirmed after further exploration). Should a commercial event take place, then potentially 10% of takings could be requested.
ACTION: To take a meter reading of a standard day to establish CCTV use.
25.68 To receive an update from the Jubilee Park improvements working party including applying for Green Flag status and meetings with the Groundworks East Funding Manager
Groundworks East now have a funding expert. It is suggested that there is a need for around £200,000 in funding, which will be difficult to acquire as most funding pots only offer £10-£20,000 now, so there will be a need to approach many sources.
Cllr Smith proposed that if there was a project set up to reinvent a partnership with the community, it could reinvigorate funding, he suggested ‘The Park Project’ as an idea.
ACTION: Councillors discussed holding the consultation before the summer holidays, and will hold a working party on Tuesday 27th May at 7pm to discuss moving forward.
Councillors explained the value of Green Flag status and how this makes funding more favourable as it shows that the park is being cared for. Some of the criteria in place is already being met by the Parish Council, evidence in paperwork to show these criteria are met needs to be put into place. The bins need to be changed to compliment general and recycling bins; this can be completed over time.
A Management Plan needs to be developed and the Environmental Plan has already been completed.
25.69 To receive an update and agree and further actions in relation to the Funday Sunday event taking place on 13 July 2025 on the John Eve Field Market Deeping
The organisation of the Funday Sunday event is going well and in hand with lots of stalls booked. A tombola is being organised in place of the raffle. Any donations are gratefully received.
25.70 To re-consider a location for a seasonal Tree and/or decorations for Christmas 2025 following discussions at the March Committee meeting (minute 25.60)
Discussion was had as to what and how to provide a seasonal display for the community on Jubilee Park. Various structures where considered and overriding this a need to use the lamp posts for electricity.
ACTION: It was requested that we ask County Councillors to ask Lincolnshire County Council if we can plug into the lamp posts surrounding Jubilee Park for Christmas decorations to be displayed.
ACTION: Cllr Burdock is to draw a mock-up of a planter with a power supply installed and an area where a tree could be placed.
ACTION: Councillors were asked to think of ideas to represent a Christmas Tree that is not made from wood, for the next meeting.
25.71 To receive an update regarding the Deepings Dog Show scheduled to be held on Jubilee Park Sunday 27 July 2025
Councillors agreed that things are on way for the dog show, with sponsors, a judge and helpers being found. The dog show is also going to have a tombola where prize donations are welcomed.
25.72 To consider organising a footpath walk incorporating some Lincolnshire County Council public rights of way.
There are normally three footpath walks held by the Parish Council. These walks are quite popular, they help us to keep the footpaths open.
ACTION: It was agreed to hold a Linchfield footpath walk on Thursday 10th July 2025, at 7pm. It was considered that this should meet and finish at The Walnut Tree, to aid a circuit.
ACTION: Investigation is to be sought about a potential footpath walk at Deeping Lakes. Cllr Hosking is to check with the Exotic Pet Refuge.
25.73 Following reports of inconsiderate parking and damage to the grass verges discussed at the meeting on 11 March 2025 under minute 25.59, to receive and consider the response from the Principal Highways Officer regarding the Sports Field car park signage on Spalding Road.
Councillors are aware that inconsiderate parking is an ongoing issue and that damage is being done to the highway verges.
ACTION: Cllr Smith is to chase permission from Deepings and Welland Internal Drainage Board re birds mouth fencing.
ACTION: Councillors went on to agree to the provision of a sticker from LCC to cover the incorrect road sign.
25.74 To consider requesting a pitch for the Parish Council gazebo at the following events
1. The Rose and Sweet Pea Show and Garden Fete to be held in the Priory Hall and Vicarage Gardens on Saturday 28 June 2025
Councillors agreed to requesting a pitch to this event and 3 Councillors advised that they would be available.
2. The Deepings Raft Race to be held along Bridge Street on Sunday 3 August 2025.
Councillors felt that unless the Parish Council had a hook to draw the community to the stall, there was no call to have a stall at this event.
25.75 To note the date of the next meeting – 8pm on Tuesday 8 July 2025 (to be agreed at the Annual Parish Council meeting on Tuesday 20 May 2025)
Meeting ended 9:20pm