Asset Management, Culture & Housing Cabinet Member – Minutes – 13 November 2014

118      (20) NORMANBY HALL COUNTRY PARK – NEW PLAY FACILITIES – The Director of Places submitted a report seeking approval for further investment towards new play facilities at Normanby Hall Country Park.

The council had made a number of improvements to the visitor experience at Normanby Hall Country Park in recent years. These included the purchase of a new tractor train, provision of new woodland paths, new outdoor cafe furniture, new website, provision of a woodland reading area, improvements to the existing play area, the new Changing Places facility and the Normanby at War exhibition.

Regular feedback had been received from customers about the services and ways to improve what was offered at Normanby Hall Country Park.  Discussions were continually held on possible further ways to improve the park facilities for the benefit of customers. The council had looked at the possibility of introducing a water play feature aimed at children.

Officers had explored the possibility of providing a water splash pad play facility. These were available in a range of different designs.

One of the key advantages of a ‘splash pad’ feature over a more traditional paddling pool type facility was that out of season, the facility could be utilised as an additional dry play area, making all year round use of the various elements of play equipment possible with or without the added attraction of using the water features.

In keeping with the rural nature of the country park and its links to farming and agriculture, a facility based on a farming theme was favoured. It is suggested that a budget of around £300,000 would be required to deliver this project.

The area suggested for locating a water play facility was shown on the plan attached to the report.

Resolved – (a) That the proposal to take forward the project set out at paragraph 2.3 of the report during the current financial year, be approved; (b) that the proposal to use the underspends within the current approved capital programme to fund the project, be approved, and (c) that the revenue implications of providing the new facility as part of the forthcoming budget process be considered.

The corresponding report of the following item (Minute 119 refers) contains exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

119      (19) PROPERTY TRANSACTION SCHEDULE – The Director of Places submitted a report for consideration, and where necessary, approval of a schedule containing the terms of all recently negotiated property transactions.

The schedule covered both operational and commercial property.

Resolved That the schedule appended to the report be approved.

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Where there is no report this is because it is exempt, as it contains information which is considered to be of a confidential nature, as detailed in the Local Government (Access to Information) Act.