Agenda item

Options for the further enhancement of the Saintbridge Recreation Ground

To consider the report of the City Growth and Delivery Manager and Open Spaces Strategy Team Leader outlining options for the further enhancement of the Saintbridge Recreation Ground.

Minutes:

23.1    Gloucester City Council’s City, Growth and Delivery Manager outlined the background to why the Trust’s management committee was now meeting. He confirmed that Gloucester City Homes were no longer pursuing ownership of the site and that the matter of disposal was not now relevant to the Trust. The consideration now in front of the management committee was how the recreation ground might be maintained and/or enhanced.

 

23.2    The City Growth and Delivery Manager outline the options for consideration. They were:

 

         

 

Resource Implications

Option 1. Status quo - existing maintenance programme.

 

The recreation ground is currently mowed fortnightly during the growing season and pitches are marked out as required.  Goal posts are erected at the start of the season and removed at the end.  Goal mouth and centre spot renovation and reseeding takes place at the end of the season. 

The three wildflower areas are cut on an annual basis and the arisings collected.

 

Included within existing maintenance regime so no additional budgetary implications.

 

Any hire fees generated are retained by Ubico as part of their grounds contract with the Council.

Option 2

Provision of better recreation facilities and amenities for children and their guardians, such as hard surfacing, children’s play area, lighting, seating, etc

 

Any additional infrastructure such as hard standing, children’s play equipment or a multi-use games areas (MUGA) for older children/youths would require the Council to provide additional resource as this would be outside of the scope of existing budgets.  Very basic play provision for younger children would probably cost in the region of £15k. 

 

A MUGA (without lighting) could cost between £70k and £120k depending on the size and facilities provided.     

Option 3

Provision of informal recreation facilities for unaccompanied children and young adults, such as a multi-use games area / facility, lighting and seating, etc

Option 4

Provision of improved facilities for formal sport for adults and children, including changing rooms, floodlighting and amenity lighting, etc.  Provision of outdoor gym equipment.

 

Improved sports infrastructure would also require additional funding to be made available.  Some options would also require planning permission.  Outdoor informal gym equipment could be provided.  Outdoor gym equipment would cost in the region of £1k per unit.  Outdoor gym equipment could be placed at locations around the open space with appropriate guidance also provided to encourage and facilitate usage.  

Option 5

Measures to enhance bio-diversity, such as tree planting (including fruit trees) and additional designated wildlife areas.

Funding for a small number of standard trees could be found from existing budgets.  

 

Additional wildlife areas could also be identified and planted, subject to identifying the necessary funding.

 

 

 

 

23.3    It was further confirmed that the purpose of considering the options was in order to formulate a recommendation to seek the Council’s operational assistance in delivering the Trust’s charitable aim of providing recreational facilities to the people in the locality. The financial implications to the Council were highlighted. The City Growth and Delivery Manager clarified that, whilst it was Council policy that Council services would be ineligible to apply for grants from the Neighbourhood fund, this did not preclude the Trust from making an application itself.

 

23.4    The Chair was advised that Council funds would not be available and not s.106 money was applicable in this case. The Open Spaces Strategy Team Leader stated that the football club who were currently using the pitches marked out at the site could apply for a pitch improvement grant from the Gloucestershire Playing Fields Association. Members commented that the club could be encouraged to take up some of the maintenance of the site themselves.

 

23.5    Councillor Pullen expressed his preference for the option concerning improving the bio-diversity of the area as well as maintain the site for general recreational use. He suggested that Forestry England could be approached while Councillor Radley noted that the Orchard Trust was providing trees for community use.

 

23.6    In response to a query from Councillor Padilla, the Open Spaces Strategy Team Leader confirm that the Council had previously made a successful bid to the Enovert Community Trust for a different purpose but informed Members that such bids were lengthy and took considerable resource. Councillor Radley noted that the Trust itself could prepare bids should it wish to do so. The Managing Director of the City Council advised that, were such bids to be prepared, the terms of the bid would have to be detailed and specific.

 

23.7    The Chair shared his view that installing a multi-use games area could cause significant issues and could add to anti-social behaviour in the area. He also favoured enhancing the bio diversity of the area as well as maintaining the site for recreational use.

 

23.8    Councillor Radley favoured minimal intervention and suggested that some additional litter bins and benches would enhance the site. It was also suggested that officers of the City Council communicate with the football club using the pitches to inform them of anti-social behaviour at the site and to remind them of their obligation to not leave litter on the recreation ground.

 

23.9    RESOLVED that:- The Saintbridge Recreation Ground Management Committee RECOMMEND to Gloucester City Council that

 

(1)  The existing maintenance programme be continued as per Option 1 above;

(2)  Measures to enhance bio-diversity, such as tree planting (including fruit trees) and additional designated wildlife areas be pursued; and,

(3)  Enhancement of the facilities of the area be explored by Council officers.

Supporting documents: