2025 Minutes

Children’s play area Date: 17/06/2025     Time: 18:35
Location: Village Hall Green Meeting called by: Adrian Clark – Chairman of Parish Council Type of meeting: Informal scoping meeting Facilitator: Adrian Clark Note taker: Emily Clark Timekeeper: Paul Elston – Vice Chair of Parish Council Attendees: Martin and Emma Huelett with 3 children
Mellissa Clark
Graeme and Gill Parnell with child
Dave and Laura Purcell with child
Mark Houghton
Richard Wrigley
Vicky Page
Heather Minutes
Agenda item 1: Exploring possibility of building a play area in the village Presenter: Meeting attendees Discussion:
Introduction of scope and purpose of the meeting – that the opporunity has arrisen to apply for funding to build a children’s play area in the village. It was acknowledged by both the chair and vice chair that a play area has been explored previously.
Adrian and Paul asked the attendees for their views on if the commission of a play area would be viewed favourably and if so, what location would be practical and preferrable. 
It was asked what blocks there currently are with a play area in the village. It was explained that these are complex and historical, with various reasons. However, we now have the opportunity to apply for funding and all areas will be revisited as part of this process.
The parents who attended with their children asked them where they would like the play area to be located; their preference was unanimously the square (top green). The parents added that this is a sensible location as it is where they currently play; from a safety perspective, this location would be preferred as there would be no need for crossing roads and the children can be well supervised from the nearby houses.
It is believed that approximately 20 children currently use the area for playing and it is a cheering sight for villagers, therefore a play area would be well received for these reasons.
It was asked if it is possible to locate the play area in the paddock, as it is a contained area. Under the terms of the lease, the paddock can only be used for grazing and therefore is not presently an option.
It was raised that the village hall green has been previously considered. Due to the terms on the lease, placing the play area in this location is relatively unviable and if it was possible, the land would need to be returned to farm land if required. This in itself poses challenges with accountability if this was required. Safety considerations also make this less preferrable, as there would be less supervision for play and would also require walking towards the outskirts of the village, on a busy road.
Conclusions:
Overall feelings of commissioning a play area is generally positive. Some concerns with cost and the practicalities of the subsequent maintenance as listed in Agenda item 2. The preferred location from attendees is the village green.
Action items Person responsible Deadline * If invited to make a full application, the village green to be listed as the preferred location
* There is clear interest, therefore an expression of interest will be made Adrian Clark

Adrian Clark Dependent if invited to make application
20th June 2025 Agenda item 2: Considerations Presenter: Meeting attendees Discussion:
It was raised that making the application and receiving funding is the easy part – there are further considerations such as maintenance of the area and insurances such as public liability, all of which generate increased costs. All legislative requirements will need to be considered as part of this process which will take time and will cost. It was asked what the grant would cover if received, and would the above costs be covered by the grant. 
A previous Parish Clerk stated that there used to be some funds placed to one side when a village play area was considered in the past, and it may be worth exploring if these funds are still available.
It was also raised that accidents will need to be logged and records maintained, which has been seen as a challenge by other areas, with Barrowby given as an example. It was suggested that the chair contact neigbouring Parish Councils who have play areas (Colsterworth, Walsthorpe, Sproxton) to understand how they manage their maintenance and rough visibility of running costs.
Planning permission will need to be applied for if we are invited to make a full application. It was asked how objections will be considered, and it was explained that this will be captured through the planning application process.
Dogs will not be permitted in the play area if it is built and it was agreed that fencing will need to be erected to prevent them accessing the area. A concern was raised with this becoming an ‘eye sore’, which will be considered if a full application is made and through the planning permission process.
It was asked if speed restrictions and signage could be placed at the proposed area for safety purposes. It was explained that the Parish Council have previously discussed speed restrictions, and would propose a reduction to 20mph by the square and relevant signage placed to state that there are children playing.
It was asked what and how many pieces of apparatus is being considered. It was explained that space is relatively restricted, therefore there will be a limit as to what can be placed. If funding is successful, the apparatus will be selected by the village based on popularity. 
A question was asked around who currently manages the swing; it was explained that it was independently placed and therefore is not managed by the Parish Council.
A final query was raised as to if the current lawn contractors for the village could maintain the area. This will be looked into if we are invited to make a full application. It was also raised that there are facilities management firms who have the ability to maintain a number of different surfaces and that it may be worth looking into this.
Conclusions:
There are many areas to be considered, and it was acknowledged by Adrian and Paul that we are at the scoping stage, therefore they do not have the answers to many of the questions at this moment. However, if the application progresses, they will clarify these points.
Action items Person responsible Deadline * Investigating additional costs (insurances and maintenance) Adrian Clark Dependent if invited to make an application * Accident recording Adrian Clark As above * Planning permission and subsequent queries (speed restrictions, signage, fencing)
* Selecting apparatus

* Parish council funding Adrian Clark

Village

Adrian Clark and parish clerk As above

If invited to make an application
ASAP Other Information
Observers:
None
Resources:
Significant time will be spent into researching this further
Special notes:
None
These notes have not been ratified by the Parish Counci.