PFC Minutes

Scopwick and Kirkby Green Playing Field Committee

Minutes of the meeting held on the 12th August 2019 at Scopwick Village Hall

1. Present: David (Chair), Rosa, Angela, Jane, Mark, Guy and Jill Moran Parish Clerk.

Tracy sent her apologies.

David welcomed everyone to the meeting including a new member, Guy Harvey.

2. The draft minutes of the meeting held on the 20th May 2019 were approved by those present at that meeting and signed by the Chair as a true record.

3. Financial Report.

Jane reported that with the addition of the £97.08 profit from fundraising at the village show the bank balance stood at £5690.98.

4. Inspection Report.

Since the last meeting Jill had inspected and reported further signs of deterioration in the wooden border to the junior play area. The stile had been replaced and the toddler area weeded. The lid of the dustbin near the entrance to the field had split and required replacement. The ‘no dogs’ sign on the gate had cracked. The Clerk will request replacement of both items by the Parish Council at their next meeting.

5. Issues Considered.

(a) Maintenance

The grass ‘repairs’ to the area damaged last year by an infestation of chafer beetles had worked well.

The grass was in good condition and the grass cutter was now doing a good job. The area in front of the goal post nearest the picnic benches was uneven and would require attention. The reason for the uneven surface was thought to be the fact that this goal was used more than the one near the hedge due to damage to footballs from the blackthorn. The Committee considered that when the play park equipment was renewed the goal posts should be replaced and/or moved further from the hedge.

(b) Fundraising

The Race Night will take place on the 30th November 2019. Rosa reported that tickets are now on sale at a cost of £2.50 each. Committee members were given sheets of ‘horses’ to sell at a cost of £5 each. Sponsors are required for the individual races and the event will follow the format of the very successful night last year with a bar and buffet.

The ice cream stall at the village show was a great success due to the hard work of Jane and Angela.

The Committee discussed further future fundraising events including a children’s film night.

(c) New Play Equipment

Two suppliers had visited the site and submitted plans for new play equipment. The Clerk reported that based on the information available from RoSPA the ‘fall height’ onto grass had been increased from 1 to 1.5m. This meant that in practice the bark chipping surface could be replaced with grass for all but the highest towers. Turf reinforcement material could be used where needed such as under swings. The Clerk also reported that guidance available online at www.playengland.org.uk recommended that barriers such as fencing could create an obstacle to play and that all ages should be encouraged to play together. The Committee considered that as the field was surrounded by hedges and as no dogs were allowed, the fence surrounding the toddler area should be removed.

The Committee looked at the plans submitted by the two companies. It was thought that the play area should retain a ‘natural’ appearance in keeping with the setting. Designs with colours other than green and natural timbers were rejected.

Much of the current deterioration of the timber uprights was due to them becoming water logged where surrounded by bark and/or strimmer damage where surrounded by grass. The Committee therefore considered it important that new timber supports should be protected by metal footings where possible. This addition would increase the initial cost but had many benefits in increasing the life of the timber by protecting from rot and strimmer damage.

More seating would be introduced with a picnic table nearer to the play equipment. A recycled plastic table and benches was preferred to traditional timber. The new play equipment should take into account the needs of young people with disabilities.

The Committee looked at equipment from other providers and selected three for the Clerk to approach with the following ‘shopping list’:

Junior play tower – double tower with two slides including a tube slide; fireman’s pole; mini climbing wall and steps up with handrail.

Junior swings and large basket swing.

Toddler slide unit and toddler swings.

Log cabin

Agility trail – to include pull up bars

One other item – possibly roundabout or see-saw

6. Date for the next meeting: Tuesday 15th October at 7:00pm.

Minutes prepared by the Parish Clerk Jill Moran.