Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Doreen Dickinson, Graham Dunn and Marion Lowe.

To confirm the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Task Group – Play and Open Spaces Strategy meeting held on 3 October 2013 (enclosed)

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Task Group – Play and Open Spaces Strategy held on 3 October 2013 be confirmed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any pecuniary interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda.

If you have a pecuniary interest you must withdraw from the meeting. Normally you should leave the room before the business starts to be discussed. You do, however, have the same right to speak as a member of the public and may remain in the room to enable you to exercise that right and then leave immediately. In either case you must not seek to improperly influence a decision on the matter.

There were no declarations of any interest.

Table of suggested amendments for Members information (enclosed)

Councillor Julia Berry highlighted that one of the Morris Homes provision in Chorley East had not been included on the list.  Officers would work with Cllr Berry to pinpoint the exact location.

Members asked if any updates would be provided.  Jamie Dixon explained that a full update would be provided in the report on the consultation, the consultation runs until 17January and detailed outcomes would be provided.

Document enclosed.

Cllr Perks highlighted that the Health Profile only included the indicators for the whole of Chorley and asked do these go down Ward Level and more appropriately to Super Output Area.

It was agreed to circulate the link within In the Know so that Members can view this information

Report to be tabled at the meeting.

The Blackburn with Darwen Open Space Strategy was tabled at the meeting and Members were asked to look at this document and provide any comments at the next meeting.

Members asked what opportunities there were to make recommendations to the Play and Open Spaces action plan.  In particular how each play area has been scored, were they scored on the impact of Health, some sites that are not a priority are in areas of poor health.

Some of the sites are already Corporate Projects, for example, Coronation Recreational Ground, Harpers Lane and Astley Park, and therefore work has already commenced.

It was also highlighted that some areas were scored highly due to the life expectancy of the equipment which might need replacing due to Health and Safety, and that the sites were scored by a panel.

The Group will look at the remaining two case studies that were identified and using the Integrated Impact Assessment will consider how health and wellbeing benefits can be maximised and what needs to have taken place to achieve that:

·         Greenside: Play Pitches – Euxton, Astley and Buckshaw

·         Coronation Recreational Ground: Muliti-use facility – Chorley Town West

A copy of the Integrated Impact Assessment and Ariel plans of both sites are enclosed for information.

The Group looked at the remaining two case studies that were identified.

Greenside: Play Pitches

Although the playing pitches which are located within the Greenside Housing Estate in Euxton are owned by Chorley Council, they are currently leased by Euxton Parish Council, who have secured funding for the site that has enabled Euxton Girls Football Club to permanently take up residence there. Facilities include a clubhouse, pitches and a car park.  The football pitches are fully utilised but Members considered if there could be room to develop an all-weather pitch. However, it was felt by Members that the area is not used by the wider community and this is a lost opportunity that needed to be maximised.

Broader engagement with the community is needed and additional signage is required to highlight public access to the site. There are some links to the surrounding woodland, Ransnap Wood, with a public footpath on two sides of the site, which is part cycle way and provides linked access to the three local primary schools.

This area is a super output area and as such its facilities should be promoted more for use by the immediate community.

Coronation Recreation Ground

The recreation ground is owned by Chorley Council and is located within the centre of the town. The site is traditionally laid out and incorporates a wide range of facilities that included children’s play areas fitted with equipment, playing pitches, tennis courts and a bowling green. A footpath has been installed around the perimeter and centre of the park and lighting has been erected that is used in the evenings.  King George V and Queen Mary visited the ground in July 1913 and Members felt that it was important to retain this historic legacy by restoring the existing buildings, renovating paths and maintaining tree roots.

The local scout groups use the park in the summer and the facilities are well used by residents who live nearby. A mobile fitness club also uses the park three times a week and it was thought that this type of activity to be expanded upon to provide rehabilitation for patients linking with the doctors surgeries in the area.

It was suggested that there could be better use of the tennis courts as multi games pitches to extend the season.

Other suggestions included:

·         Develop a friends group

·         Improve access

·         Introduce an ice cream concession

·         Use the site for rehab via the doctors surgeries in the area