To receive any questions relating to items on the Agenda from members of the public and replies thereto.
Note: A maximum of 30 minutes is allowed for this item.
Minutes:
Referring to item 10 on the agenda, Mrs M Dennis asked if a small amount of the income gained from the rates generated from all of the new build properties at Willand could be used towards the maintenance of play areas.
Referring to item 10 in the agenda, Cllr B Warren from Willand Parish Council, informed the Group that in January 2014 Willand Parish Council wrote to the Chief Executive offering to take over the ownership or lease of the Mid Devon owned half of the Parish Field and to maintain it. This would save Mid Devon money and give the Parish a much improved facility as we would provide more regular maintenance. We received no acknowledgement until we asked. We then heard no more until an intervention by one of our Ward Councillors and then there was a meeting with an officer which resulted in the Parish being offered some of the field provided it supported MDDC in a planning application to build housing on some of the field. This was declined by the Parish Council as there is already a shortfall of green public open space in Willand as confirmed by the MDDC commissioned report. Nothing further has been heard from officers on that point.
As part of our suggested package in relation to offering to take responsibility for some of the play areas in the Parish we included the Parish Field proposals. Apart from attaching our letter to the report, no mention, let alone a recommendation is made in relation to this part of the proposal after 22 months and in doing so potentially misleading Members as to the overall proposal.
Referring to agenda item 10, Mr K Grantham said that Willand Parish Council has sought to engage with officers and obtain clarification of certain issues ever since this process review and trying to close play areas started. In the absence of clear answers Members of Willand PC have appeared before this Committee on two occasions (March and June 2015) and asked public questions. These questions have not been fully answered. Two officers came and met with the Parish Council at which a number of members of the public and Ward Members were present but yet again some questions remained unanswered, particularly in relation to the future use of the land.
In the absence of answers and clear proposals from officers the Parish Council have tried to move the process forward with the submission of a complete proposal which is before you:- That proposal is detailed and clear and in paragraph 6 of the letter states “we feel that this option is a positive way forward but will not be viable if ‘tinkered with’.” In paragraph 1.1 of Appendix A it states: “The proposed offers are put forward as a complete package for the duration of the initial arrangement (3 years).”
What is not understood as to these two sentences? What is there to negotiate?
Referring to item 10 on the agenda, Mr R Ursell stated that his question referred in particular to recommendations contained in Annex 2, page 163.
Willand Parish Council has made a very clear and compelling case for MDDC to retain and maintain Chestnut Drive play area. That case points the way to future funding as well as the case for retention. The recommendations in the table will, if adopted by Committee, lead to the imminent closure of the area as the equipment is described as in poor condition and need of refurbishment.
Are MDDC prepared to retain and maintain the equipment in the area in a proper and serviceable manner, at least at its current level, to prevent it being closed or made unserviceable through lack of equipment?
Referring to item 10 on the agenda, Mrs S Taylor informed the Group that her question referred in particular to recommendations contained in Annex 2 on page 163.
Willand Parish Council has put forward firm proposals to officers in the absence of an alternative plan by them to close the areas at Mallow Court and Worcester Crescent. The proposals are part of the whole complete package which has support within the community.
What are the acceptable terms for the transfer of selected play areas to Willand Parish Council to be negotiated by the Head of Housing and Property Services? He has had ample opportunity before now to identify those terms and it is the lack of clear and unequivocal proposals from officers that led to Willand Parish Council submitting their proposals in an attempt to resolve the issues. What is there to negotiate?
The Chairman thanked the members of the public for their questions and explained that answers would be given either at the agenda item or at a meeting to be arranged with Willand Parish Council. The Chairman apologised to those that considered they had not received a satisfactory response and reiterated that there would be further negotiations.