Agenda item

The Sub-Committee is asked to consider the options for improvements at Alice Park taking into consideration how the Trust would fund any revenue consequences of development.

The Sub-Committee considered a report presenting more detailed proposals for the expenditure of £97k on a skate park and also broader investment in the park infrastructure (including play).

Officers explained that the Council has allocated £97k within its capital programme for the development of a skate park in the East of Bath.  Alice Park was the only location deemed suitable.  The Sub-Committee could request that the Council considers fully allocating this funding for the development of a skate park, request that the Council considers allocating the funding to alternative improvements to the park or could decide not to request capital funding from the Council at all.

The report set out detailed proposals for a skate park and also suggestions for facility improvements in the park such as a circular path and play area improvements.

Councillor Appleyard stated that he was happy with the detailed skate park proposals which gave context and scale to the project showing that it would not be dominant.  He noted that the park needed refurbishment as there had been a lack of investment, however, this could be considered at a future meeting.  He stated that the Council had allocated funds specifically for a skate park and that the Trust should accept the offer of £97k or there was a risk that this investment in the park could be lost.  There was currently very little in the park for older children and teenagers and the skate park would provide this.

Councillor Appleyard expressed some concern regarding potential conflicts of interest for sub-committee members and stressed the importance of being able to consider issues with an open mind.  Councillor Patterson supported this view.  The Legal Services Manager confirmed that independent co-opted members had signed up to avoiding conflicts of interest when they joined the sub-committee.

Councillor Ward was surprised that the debate on this issue was so polarised.  He agreed that the park was dated and needed investment but felt that future plans for the park should be considered as a whole with the skate park proposal forming part of these considerations.  The Trust should take into account financial implications, maintenance and facilities required.  He had some concerns regarding the consultation that had taken place because it had not set out all the options but had only made reference to a skate park.  It was important to consider the sustainability of a skate park and he proposed that wider consultation should take place regarding future plans for Alice Park.  This consultation should set out all the available options.

Sujata McNab felt that the proposals were difficult to navigate and wanted to understand how these fitted into the wider strategy for the park.  Some details were missing such as the budget required going forward.  She also had some concerns about the consultation process.

Councillor Patterson stated that the skate park proposal was not new and that it had been under consideration for a number of years.  She stated that the funding from the Council was ring-fenced and that she did not want further delay.  She had concerns that any delay could lead to the funding being lost altogether.

The Finance Manager explained that although the funding was currently ring-fenced the Trust Sub-Committee could request that it be reallocated to fund alternative improvements to the park.  She also explained that the Trust would ultimately be responsible for the maintenance costs of the skate park if they wished to pursue this option.  The £97k that had been allocated was capital funding and so could not be used for revenue purposes.

Paul Hooper felt that a contingency fund would be required in case the project ended up costing more than the allocated £97k.  He also pointed out that “through life funding” had to be considered because there were no funds allocated from the Council towards maintenance.

Councillor Appleyard proposed that the Sub-Committee accept the offer from the Council and with external funding look to find a solution to provide the necessary revenue funding.  He felt that the Trust should work with the community to monitor the skate park and receive regular updates.  This was supported by Councillor Patterson.

Councillor Norton explained that the Sub-Committee could request that the Council reallocate the funds to provide other facilities for the park if it wished.  He did not feel in a position to make an informed decision on the provision of a skate park at this meeting and felt that members should consider the park as a whole.

Councillor Patterson pointed out that there was a great deal of support for a skate park and that it would be counter-productive to ask for further consultation.  She felt that the Council had let down Alice Park and that it should have plans for future investment in the park.  She did not feel that the consultation process had been flawed in any way.

Councillor Norton stated that he could see the advantages of a skate park but that other options also needed to be explored in more detail. 

Councillor Appleyard put forward a proposal that he and Councillor Patterson undertake further consultation with local residents and interested parties and report the outcome to the next meeting of the Sub-Committee.

There was also a suggestion that the Bath City Forum could carry out further consultation on this issue.  A balanced view was required to assist the Sub-Committee in its deliberations.  The wording of any further consultation should be agreed in advance by the Sub-Committee.

RESOLVED that the Sub-Committee determine that a skate park development is in line with the Trust’s objectives and determine that, in principle, the skate park be progressed subject to:

(1)  Further information, analysis and reassurance on viability.

(2)  Establishing whether the Council will permit alternative use of the allocated funds.