Agenda item

An update on recently funded projects and timetable for year 2017-18

Cllr Fenton provided a slideshow detailing the spending of both the Ward Budget and the Highways Budget for 2016/17, including plans for any amounts carried forward.

The Ward Budget for 2016/17 was £36,764.84, which included the devolved adult social care budget.  Grants awarded to community and voluntary groups amounted to £12,981.46 over the year. Some schemes were commissioned, amounting to a total of £15,021.38.   

It is anticipated that there will be approximately £8,762 remaining in the Ward Budget at the end of the financial year. It is proposed to carry forward this amount and use it to top up money awarded from central council funds for improvements to the Nelsons Lane and Woodthorpe Green play areas.

It is also proposed to prospectively allocate £11,733 of the 2017/18 Ward Budget to further bolster the funds available for improvements to the 2 playgrounds.  With the section 106 funding and also the money available from the central council, this means that the two play areas will have an allocated budget of £30,000 each.  Cllr Fenton further explained that once the council have gone out to tender, the community would have the chance to have their say on the proposals received.

Cllr Fenton introduced Anne Legett from the Chase Residents’ Association who reported on further issues in relation to the Nelsons Lane play area.  Anne explained that whilst the current play equipment was safe, it had exceeded its life expectancy by a number of years and was being inspected on a weekly basis. Whilst the allocated £30,000 would go a long way, further funds would be needed to secure the future of the play area. 

Anne outlined a consultation timetable designed to give a voice to the opinions of parents and children who use the play area:

•        15/02/17 – 20/03/17 Community Consultation Project, designed to collect input from local parents and children.

•        03/03/17 (Nelsons Lane play area, 3pm – 5pm) Open meeting to discuss the pros and cons and views received.  Dave Meigh (Operations Manager – Public Realm, CYC) is expected to attend.

•        29/03/17 (Marriott Hotel) Meeting to report back on community views and to discuss what  equipment people would like to see. Dave Meigh is again expected to  attend.

Ongoing fundraising is being planned, including a Summer Fayre.

In response to resident queries, Cllr Fenton explained that CYC had earmarked 10 play areas to receive funds of £17,000 each.  He confirmed that whilst Middlethorpe had been considered, the decision was to improve existing play areas rather than create new ones at the present time. Leeside play area was not currently eligible for funding.

Cllr Fenton noted residents’ concerns relating to the timing of the work, which may be during the summer holidays.  He agreed that timing and communication were key.

Following a prospective allocation of funds to the two play areas, the remaining Ward Budget for 2017/18 would be £17,657 and the Highways Budget £13,990.

Window for ward grant applications will be open between 1 March and 30 April.