Agenda and draft minutes

Single issue meeting to discuss and agree next steps regarding the proposed installation of a muti-use games panel, volunteers involvement on the Green and removal of wooden fencing at the Scarcroft Road end of the Green.

1.    MAIN MEETING – WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS (19:00)

The meeting was chaired by Councillor Kilbane who welcomed everyone and set out the housekeeping rules followed by the agenda. He also reminded residents that the meeting was non-political.

2.    Installation of the multi-use games panel on Scarcroft Green

Councillor Crawshaw provided background information in respect of the proposal.

Partnership work with the Neighbourhood Police Team, housing and Inspire Youth mobile youth club to address youth related anti-social behaviour is ongoing. The initial youth club sessions on the Green were funded by the ward. Currently they are funded by the York and North Yorkshire Office for Policing, Fire, Crime and Commissioning and conversations are taking place about longer term funding. The youth club plays a significant part in alleviating some of the ASB in the area. Some behaviours from young people can be very nasty and event include damage to property, however on the other hand there are young people who behave sensibly and engage with us in a positive way. Consistent feedback is being received about insufficient facilities to play football themed games on the Green, perennial issues with maintenance of worn-out goal mouths and the ball often flying off to the side as existing goals have no backing. Some young people choose to kick the ball against building walls, garage and shed doors instead of using facilities on the Green. The Ward is looking at a solution that will help to discourage ASB and encourage positive behaviours. Simultaneously work is undergoing to make areas on the nearby housing estate less attractive for ball games. Engagement with young people informs us about desire for a facility allowing to kick the ball against a wall. Feedback from the recent consultation tells us that existing goals are popular and we wouldn’t want to disrupt both way football. We started investigating alternative locations for the multi-use games panel and the area within the blue fence, as shown on the attached diagram was identified. Tonight is an opportunity for further consultation in respect of the multi-use games panel project which was born out to solve a specific problem.

Residents were then invited to make comments and ask questions.

A resident stated that installation of the multi-use games panel should be considered in a park that is lockable and that locating it on Scarcroft Green would encourage gatherings and noise. Rowntree Park would be better and already has similar facilities.

A resident asked if girls are involved in ASB, or only boys?

In response to the above comments Councillors explained that the project is seeking to address specific set of problems. The Ward supports Make Space for Girls project in Rowntree Park. We are aware that there are girls who engage in anti-social activities, but on the other hand we know few girls who attend the youth club and are on the York City Football team and are really positive young people. The panel will feature a basketball hoop, a piece of equipment that is not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.