Decision details

Decision to approve capital expenditure for the delivery of Phase 1 of the Keynsham Memorial Park Capital Project

Decision Maker: Corporate Director (Place)

Decision status: Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

This project will use developer’s contributions from CIL and S106 to fund the development of a new masterplan for Keynsham Memorial Park and some essential site improvements. The park is an important destination park for the district and its role in supporting improvements on the High Street, providing access to new transport routes, promoting healthy lifestyles and addressing the Climate and ecological emergencies requires that the Council invest in understanding current uses and needs affecting the space to inform new facilities and landscapes to prepare for the future.

Decision:

Approve capital expenditure of £238k for the delivery of Phase 1 of the programme

Alternative options considered:

Alternative options include:

• Not producing a masterplan and instead proceeding with a like for like replacement of facilities using the available budget
• Not investing in facilities and scaling back the level of service and provision in the park.

These options were dismissed because:
• Community consultation and the production of a masterplan are required to review and update priorities for the park.
• Having a good body of evidence and a masterplan will also help make a stronger case for additional investment (the amounts of fund held from developer's contributions are insufficient for all of the investment required in the park); and the masterplan will be used to help make the case for external funding (associated with strategic green infrastructure).
• Not investing in the facilities of such an important park would be politically and publicly unacceptable.

Publication date: 15/11/2021

Date of decision: 15/11/2021