Kindly written and sent to me by Carol Smyth
This is my account of the meeting held this evening.
Apologies: Cllr Chris Dale
Agenda
Intro by Cllr Harrison
Questions/queries
At the last PC meeting there were issues about construction of the play area.
There has been information on the http://www.facebook.com/l/24d5e;bishopthorpe.net site and also Facebook.
For 5 months there have been discussions at PC meetings from parishioners.
After the last PC meeting (23/3) a Facebook site was formed by supporters of the park as it is now.
The constitution says that the PC can revisit decisions made.
Decisions taken tonight will be final, they include
Fencing
Gating
Opening hours
Repositioning the slide
The Jungle Climber
Fencing - will be 1.8 metres and is being installed
Gating- will be installed next week and will be manned by the volunteers
Opening/closing hours
Mon-Fri 9-7.30
Sat 10-7.30
Sun 10.30 -7.30
Slide - change design or reposition
Jungle Climber
- resiting in the park is too expensive
- a large number (the Facebook site) want it to remain
- PC revisiting the decision made at the last PC meeting
Meeting open to questions/comments
Resident Keble Park North (KPN)
No plan or consultation from PC, have no objections to the park, have requested fencing to ensure privacy and security gates.
Resident Copmanthorpe Lane
Fencing and security gates happening.
Resident Beech Ave
Last PC meeting agreed on repositioning slide and moving Jungle Climber to Ferry Lane
Resident KPN
1.8 metre fence makes no difference
Resident KPN
Aerial slide at rear of property, no interference from children.
Resident Beech Ave
Evening noise, no time for privacy/peace
Cllr Harrison - Police should be called
Resident KPN
No problems with kids.
Moved from Copmanthorpe where they had fences, cameras and wardens to monitor the park.
Resident KP
Noise issues and older children will lessen
Resident Coda Ave
A lesson for the PC.
We need to respect one another.
Many gardens have neighbours and people have to get on with them.
Cllr S Harrison
Comments have been taken on board.
Minutes are published.
We cannot do a leaflet drop for every occasion.
Circulation of the Link Magazine is 1000 (approx 50% of village)
(Missed information for one speaker)
Resident Lang Road
People want to see this go ahead.
It's somewhere for kids to play.
Fencing and gating will go ahead- .
The situation should be monitored and given time.
Cllr Harrison
The park will be checked.
Park usage will be monitored.
There will be no ball games allowed.
There will be a code of conduct ( created and agreed by the children).
The PC want it to work for the children of the village. The project wasn't started to upset people.
Resident Simbalk Lane
Crime figures?
PS A Haigh
No crimes committed, but 10 incidences of anti social behaviour for which it's not always possible to attend. Some local youths have selected the park but are being dealt with. None are banned from the village or on bail. Crime levels have dropped.
It has not been a good start, gating and security should improve this, report any incidents.
Resident Montague Ave
Rubbish - has been collected by volunteers. Litter bins need to be approved by the Ward Committee.
Resident Coda Ave
Many people have noise in their gardens from other properties.
7.30 closing is reasonable.
Adults should pick up on kids bad behaviour.
Resident KPN
The park is fantastic.It's always been a park - listed on the OS maps (1981)
Resident/and her mother - KPN and Canon's Court
The play area was needed
Appreciate the concerns of residents, but it's always been a play area.
Her 10 year child cannot go into the park due to threats from other children who come from outside the village- being beaten up.
She has seen used condoms and sanitary towels on the site.
The youths are known to the Police.
Cllr Harrison
Parents should intervene.
Resident KPS
With the problems about privacy, what about the fencing?
Cllr Harrison
The fencing is in place we must wait and see, we cannot go any further. There are measures for gating and locking up and privacy for the evening.
Resident Keble Drive
Has 15, 13, 6 and 5 year olds who use the park - it's a holiday. Get real - houses are overlooked.
Cllr Mrs Thornton
The PC is able to change it's decision re the climbing frame
- there is no option to move the climbing frame within the park
- if the climbing frame is taken down it cannot be kept
- people have come to support the decision on the climbing frame
- some residents will be affected by this
-the PC will have to take some measures
Proposed - reversal of decision taken at the last PC meeting, seconded/ voted unanimously by PC members present.
So the Jungle Climbing frame will stay where it is.
Hope you find this is a fair account of the meeting.
I am just a resident suffering from the parish council's incompetence.
Regards
Carol Smyth
Did nobody realise that the park is supposed to be temporary closed until further notice?
I was at the meeting on Wednesday 21st April. Unfortunately I didn't get my chance to let you know my feelings on the play area. I'm all for it. I think it's great for the children of Bishopthorpe.
I myself have a 4 year old, who loves spending time there with friends and family from the village and outside. They have been so positive about the park and have made frequent visits since.
I fully understand the views of the residents who back onto the park. I live on Beech Avenue, but on the other side of the road. The reasonable measures you are making to make their gardens (and lives) more private are great. Providing the park shuts at 7.30pm 7 days a week and is correctly policed I really can't see too many issues arising. We are at the end of the day dealing with children, they are noisy, get carried away and do get upto mischief at times, but providing it's nipped in the bud quickly, everyone will be happy.
Thank you
Alex