Agenda item

Reporting Person – Douglas Spinks

Following the Executive on 28 June 2018, the Executive received the results of the public consultation which had been undertaken over the summer offering two options to improve play provision at West Byfleet Recreation Ground.  The Leader of the Council, Councillor Bittleston, expressed his shock, upset and disappointment at some of the nasty social media which had been directed at him, fellow Executive Members and Officers.  The Leader commented that most of the respondents to the consultation had behaved reasonably and courteously and it was hoped that in future, similar consultations would be responded to in a polite and proper matter.

The Leader welcomed Mrs Rebecca Bradshaw who had submitted a petition to the Council via Change.org regarding the West Byfleet Playground upgrade and which contained over 2,250 signatures.  It was noted that the petition was not considered to be valid by the Council as it was not possible to scrutinise the names and addresses in the petition.  However, the Leader considered it to be reasonable to allow a voice to those people who had gone to the trouble of signing the petition.  Mrs Bradshaw highlighted that a children’s petition had also been created containing some 500 signatures.  Copies of both petitions were tabled at the meeting.  Mrs Bradshaw welcomed the consultation outcome and looked forward to working with the Council to develop the playground.  The Executive thanked Mrs Bradshaw for attending the meeting and bringing the concerns of residents to the attention of the Executive.

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Cultural Services, Councillor Kemp, introduced the report on the consultation outcome and thanked Officers for their hard work on the consultation.  The Executive was advised that the consultation had resulted in a clear preference from the majority of respondents for Option A which was to extend and refurbish the existing play area.  Councillor Kemp therefore recommended that the Executive proceeded with Option A and that the scheme be completed by early Spring 2019.  Councillor Kemp explained that it was proposed that Officers would engage with Mrs Bradshaw and Mrs Slaymaker, the two local parents who had successfully applied for additional external funding from Surrey County Council, to agree the final project brief before sending it to potential suppliers.  The Executive was advised that Mrs Bradshaw and Mrs Slaymaker would be invited back to help review the proposals submitted by suppliers and to select a preferred supplier to progress the project.  Councillor Kemp informed the Executive that it was intended to give a short window of opportunity for the public to comment on the proposals.  If appropriate, small alterations would be made to the final design in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, Mrs Bradshaw and Mrs Slaymaker.  The Executive noted the very tight timescales to ensure delivery by early Spring 2019 and the requirement to follow the Council’s procurement rules.  Officers provided a commitment to complete the scheme as quickly as was practicable.  The Leader undertook to ensure that Ward Councillors were kept informed of progress.

The Executive agreed to proceed with Option A with the aim of implementing the scheme in early Spring 2019.

RESOLVED

That  (i)    proposals to extend and refurbish the existing play area at West Byfleet Recreation Ground (Option A) be implemented; and

          (ii)   Officers be authorised to finalise the details of the scheme, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, with a view to the scheme being completed by early Spring 2019.

Reason:   To improve play provision in accordance with the clearly expressed preference of those responding to the public consultation exercise.