STURMINSTER NEWTON TOWN COUNCIL Amenities Committee - Project Summary This document is intended to act as a single point of reference for information on Council business supervised by the Amenities Committee. It will be updated as required by Council staff and uploaded to the Council’s website. It will be reviewed at every meeting of the Amenities Committee. It will serve to inform Council members and staff and members of the public, to guide policy-making and to record key decisions and progress. It comprises six sections: Section 1 – Management of Existing Amenities and Assets Deals with recent developments affecting important existing public assets and services which are managed by the Council. Section 2 - Current Capital Projects Reports progress toward delivery of capital projects which the Council is both able to work on immediately and is actively pursuing. Section 3 – Pending Acquisitions Describes proposed acquisitions/takeovers of amenities and assets. (Note: once a recommendation for acquisition has been made by the Amenities Committee and accepted by Full Council the matter will be transferred to the Finance & Personnel Committee and not updated further in this report unless and until it appears in Section 1.) Section 4 - Future Capital Projects Summarizes capital projects which the Council expects to deliver in future but is not actively pursuing at present with reasons given for the delay. Section 5 - Completed Projects Lists capital projects completed recently. Section 6 - Financial Summary Reviews the financial implications of current and future capital projects 1|Page Section 1 – Management of Existing Amenities and Assets 1.1 Station Road Public Toilets Last updated 20 March 2014 Current tasks: 1. One ordinary cubicle has developed electrical and plumbing faults and is closed pending repair. 2. The door of another ordinary cubicle has been vandalised and it has been closed pending repair. 3. The other cubicles are open as normal. Future plans: To maintain the facility as necessary to ensure service availability 24/7 free at point of use. Budget for 2013-14: £4,500 Capital reserve for future: 1.2 £2,000 Broad Oak Footway-Lighting Last updated 20 March 2014 Current tasks: 1. An order has been placed for the necessary “reactive” repairs to several lamps not presently working following the Council decision to vire the required funds from other budgets. 2. Renewal of the routine maintenance agreement is under consideration. Future plans: To manage the system in accordance with the policy adopted in 2012. Budget for 2013-14: £2,060 Capital reserve for future: 1.3 £3,500 Filbridge Rise Allotments Last updated 20 March 2014 Current tasks: 1. Inspections. The second round of inspections has been completed. Letters have been sent to tenants of plots not judged to be in acceptable condition. 2. The proposed delegation of some management functions to Sturminster Newton Allotments Association has been approved and will take effect on 1st April. 3. One plot is to be vacated shortly and awaits re-allocation. Future plans: To support SNAA in managing the allotments. Budget for 2013-14: £500 Capital reserve for future: £4,000 1.4 Chinnocks Garden Plots Last updated 27 February 2014 Current tasks: 1. Inspections. The second round of inspections has been completed. Letters have been sent to tenants of plots not judged to be in acceptable condition. 2. The proposed delegation of some management functions to Sturminster Newton Allotments Association has been approved and will take effect on 1st April. TC staff continue to liaise with SNAA over the possible installation of a mains water supply. Future plans: To support SNAA in managing the plots. Budget for 2013-14: £0 Capital reserve for future: £0 2|Page Section 2 - Current Capital Projects 2.1 2.2 Skateboard Park Last updated 25 March 2014 Stage reached/Recent developments: 1. DCC has agreed site lease terms in outline. 2. Access rights being negotiated with DCC/Hinton St. Mary Estate/Football Club 3. Delays in negotiating access rights have forced the design competition to be suspended. Negotiations are proceeding and the project design is being reviewed to ascertain if savings can be achieved by procuring some elements separately in order to boost the budget for core features. 4. Design visuals ordered and discussions based on these initiated with other interested parties Next steps: 1. Negotiate specifications for and obtain estimates for preliminary site works. 2. Conclude agreement with SNUFC on rights of way to be discussed with land-owner. 3. Proceed with lease of site 4. Re-formulate design brief and resume the design competition. Capital budget 2013-14: c.£110,000 Timescale: Completion Summer 2014 Workshop Heating Last updated 1 November 2013 Stage reached/Recent developments 1. Details of options and costs being collated by Council Staff. Next steps: 1. Discussion and recommendation by Committee in late 2013. 2. Decision by Full Council and Purchase. Capital budget for 2013-14: £1,500.00 2.3 Play Galleon Replacement Completion 2014 Last updated 20 March 2014 Stage reached/Recent developments: 1. Specification, supplier and price selected by the Amenities Committee and approved by the Town Council. 2. Contract formalities and arrangements for works in hand. Next steps: 1. Place order. 2. Agree timing and practicalities of works. Capital budget for 2013-14: 2.4 Timescale: £24,000 Timescale: Adult Outdoor Gym Equipment Completion 2014 Last updated 20 March 2014 Stage reached/Recent developments: 1. Specification, supplier and price selected by the Amenities Committee and approved by the Town Council. 3|Page 2. Provisional location agreed Next steps: 1. Members to inspect site and agree location and orientation of equipment. 2. Members to consult local residents. 3. CCG funding to be confirmed. Capital budget for 2013-14: £5,000.00 2.5 2.6 Timescale: Ricketts Lane Buggy Refuge Completion March 2014 Last updated 20 March 2014 Stage reached/Recent developments: 1. Land-owner agreement reached informally in outline 2. Acquisition of title to land formally recommended by the Amenities Committee and approved by the Town Council 3. Land transfer deed completed 4. Additional/alternative funding secured from developer contributions administered by DCC Next steps: 1. Pursue registration of title to the land. 2. Commission project management and delivery of service from Dorset Works or similar Capital budget for 2013-14: £6,000.00 Timescale: Completion End 2014 Sturminster Mill repairs Stage reached/Recent developments: 1. Application for Listed Building Consent submitted. 2. Procurement process agreed by councillors. 3. Option to tax for VAT purposes made 4. Advice received from architect Next steps: 1. Await outcome of consultation with interested parties on proposed works and wider context Capital budget for 2013-14: £5,000.00 Timescale: Slack-lining Facility 2.7 Stage reached/Recent developments: Last updated 27 February 2014 Completion 2014 Last updated 2 Aug. 2013 Detailed proposal received from Russ Holbert and considered on 30th May. Amenities Committee recommendation to postpone decision until it is known if the facility can be incorporated in the skate park design was accepted by Full Council Next steps: 1. None at present. Capital budget for 2013-14: £0.00 Timescale: Completion N/A Last updated 6 December 2013 Cycle Safety improvements 2.8 Stage reached/Recent developments: 1. Section 106 monies received from NDDC. 2. Project planning deferred to meeting of Amenities Committee in September 2014 Next steps: 1. 4|Page 1. Amenities committee to consider options at meeting in September 2014. Earmarked Reserve: £3,502.50 Timescale: To be decided 5|Page Section 3 - Pending Acquisitions 3.1 Paths at Former Creamery Site Last updated 20 March 2013 Proposal: 1. Accept transfer of Extension to Jubilee Path/Cycleway from Highwood Group. 2. Accept transfer of footpath beside Chinnocks Garden Plots from Highwood Group. Current status/Recent developments: 1. Negotiations over transfer deed failed to achieve agreement over responsibilities for future maintenance obligations and funding arrangements. 2. Matter to be referred to local planning authority for clarification/resolution. Projected cost (legal fees only): £500 Timescale: 2013 Open Space/Amenity Area at Former 3.2 Creamery Site Last updated 20 March 2014 Proposal: 1. Accept transfer of public open space, surface water attenuation pond and length of public footpath from Raglan Housing. Current status/Recent developments: 1. Transfer terms agreed in principle. 2. Transfer deed agreed between solicitors and prepared for sealing. 3. Progress suspended pending resolution of preceding item. Projected cost (legal fees only): £500 Timescale: Uncertain 3.3 3.4 Trailway Section Last updated 25 March 2013 Proposal: 1. Accept transfer from North Dorset District Council of the section of former railway line from Station Road Car Park to the bridge over the footpath. Current status/Recent developments: 1. Transfer agreed in principle with NDDC subject to selective felling/thinning of ash trees adjoining Stourcastle 2. Tree Management scheme discussed at site meeting on 22 May; detailed scheme received from DCC Rangers. 3. Tree works by Rangers starting 25 March 2014. Projected cost (legal fees only): £500 Timescale: 2013 Stour Meadows Proposal: 1. Accept transfer from NDDC on south bank of River Stour currently managed as a local nature reserve. Current status/Recent developments: 1. Transfer terms agreed in principle. 2. Awaiting action from NDDC. 3. Awaiting copy service level agreement from DCC Rangers. Projected cost (legal fees only): £500 Timescale: Last updated 25 June 2013 2013 6|Page Section 4 - Future Capital Projects 4.1 Ricketts Lane Recreation Ground Proposal: 1. Re-surface car park. 2. Re-surface/upgrade paths. Current status: Deferred until full likely cost of Mill repairs (see item 2.6) is known Projected cost: £15,000 4.2 Provision of Additional Allotments Last updated 12 Feb. 2013 Timescale: 2013-2015 Last updated 30 Sept. 2013 Stage reached/Recent developments Council has reviewed possible sites for suitability, affordability and availability. Current status: Issue referred to Sturminster Newton Allotments Association to consider options and make suggestions or recommendations. Earmarked reserve: £4,000.00 Timescale: Uncertain 4.3 Coles Close Amenity Land Last updated 12 Feb. 2013 Proposals: 1. Install safety barrier where path joins Rixon Close 2. Develop the Council–owned public open space adjoining Coles Close and Rixon Close as a suitable public amenity. Current status: Deferred pending completion of higher-priority projects and availability of resources. Earmarked reserve in 2013-14: £0.00 Timescale: 2014-15 or later 7|Page Section 5 - Completed Projects 5.1 Leisure Centre Last updated 22 February 2013 Project: To assist the volunteer group Sturfit to form a charitable company to take over and manage the leisure centre Current status: Since October 2012 Sturfit Limited has been managing the centre directly. Councillor Watson remains on the management board. 5.2 Sit-on Mower Replacement Last updated 1 November 2013 Project: To replace the Council’s aging John Deere sit-on mower whilst it retained a residual value and before expensive repairs were required Current status: Old machine sold by private treaty and delivery taken of replacement machine. 8|Page Section 6 - Financial Summary Project (Financial year 2013-14) Estimated cost Town Council 2013-14 Budget Earmarked reserve Other sources Surplus/(Shortfall) 1.1 Public Toilets (£4,250.00) £4,500.00 £2,000.00 £0.00 £2,250.00 1.2 Broad Oak Street-Lighting (£2,000.00) £2,060.00 £3,500.00 £0.00 £3,560.00 1.3 Filbridge Rise Allotments (£300.00) £500.00 £4,000.00 £0.00 £4,200.00 1.4 Chinnocks Garden Plots (£0.00) £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £ 0.00 2.1 Skateboard Park (£99,000.00) £22,000.00 £0.00 £77,000.00 £ 0.00 2.2 Sit-on Mower replacement (£8,999.00) £6,500.00 £0.00 £0.00 (£2,499.00) 2.3 Workshop heating (£1,500.00) £1,500.00 £0.00 £0.00 £ 0.00 2.4 Adult Outdoor Gym Equipment (£10,000.00) £5,000.00 £0.00 £5,000.00 £ 0.00 2.5 Ricketts Lane Buggy Refuge (£6,000.00) £6,000.00 £0.00 £0.00 £ 0.00 2.6 Mill repairs (£11,000.00) £5,000.00 £0.00 £0.00 (£6,000.00) 3.1 Paths at former creamery (£500.00) £500.00 £0.00 £0.00 £ 0.00 3.2 Open space at former creamery (£500.00) £500.00 £0.00 £0.00 £ 0.00 3.3 Trailway section (£500.00) £500.00 £0.00 £0.00 £ 0.00 3.4 Stour Meadows (£500.00) £500.00 £0.00 £0.00 £ 0.00 (£145,049.00) £55,060.00 £9,500.00 £82,000.00 £1,511.00 Totals Amenities Smaller Projects Earmarked Reserve As at 1 April 2013 Committed as at 4 Nov. 2013 £24,000.00 Balance £0.00 £24,000.00 9|Page