Agenda item

Report of Corporate Manager, Finance and Asset Management (copy herewith)

Mr C Grethe commented that any measures undertaken needed to make the Park safer for people to use. 

Mr P Varnsverry commented that the Cabinet were aware of the position of the Delapre Action Group. 

Councillor Glynane commented that the Delapre Consultation Group, in the context of the Abbey, had been a great success and had involved a wide variety of different community groups.  However, in connection with the bund, the opposite was true and that many mistakes had been made.  Motions presented to Council on the bund had received cross-party support.  He noted that there had been no cost to the Council for the installation of the bund but that its removal would necessitate expenditure and he queried on what basis the figures reported had been arrived at.  Residents wanted the removal of the bund at the smallest possible cost.  He reiterated previous suggestions that the infill from the bunding could be used by English Partnerships.

The Asset Manager submitted a report that advised on progress towards removal of the park bund.  He commented that discussions had taken place with English Partnerships Director of Engineering who had indicated that they would be prepared to use the infill material if it was suitable for their purposes.  English Partnerships would have no responsibility for reinstating the ground or subsequent re-seeding.  The costings reported had derived from indicative costs given by a civil engineering contractor.  The costs in respect of the bollards as an alternative security measure had been taken from the recent Far Cotton Recreation Ground Scheme.  Councillor Hadland commented that the £290,000 reported represented the worse case scenario with all of the costs falling upon the Council and £148,000 as being the best situation. 

Councillor Palethorpe commented that it was important that no blame was attached to the Planning Committee who had made their decision on the basis of the best information that was available to them.

The Asset Manager commented that whilst English Partnerships had planning permissions for developing Ransome Road and the Cross Valley Link Road they did not have a contractor in place to carry out the works.

The Communications Manager commented that in respect of the public consultation, four hundred and fifteen residents living near the Park, or who had previously expressed an interest in the issue, and three hundred other residents picked at ramdom from across Town were to receive a questionnaire.

RESOLVED: (1) That a further report be submitted to Cabinet after the consultation results are available and funding investigations have been completed.

                        (2) That the grant of planning permission on 22 November 2006 for the removal of the bund (excluding the Golf Club bund) be noted.

                        (3) That the progress in respect of the costs and methodology of the potential removal of the bunding be noted.

                        (4) That the options for alternative measures to prevent unauthorised vehicle entry on to Delapre Park be noted.

                        (5) That the progress of the consultation with local residents concerning views about the potential removal of the Park bund and the prevention of unauthorised vehicular access be noted.