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May 29, 2008
Metheringham Playing Fields
Playing Fields
Slowly negotiations with the County Council over land issues move forward and the Parish Council now has a basic document, which sets out the terms for the School use of the Star and Garter Field. This would give full control of the main playing field back to the Parish and we could then move ahead with plans to build the new pavilion and changing rooms adjacent to the Swimming Pool.
After years of discussion we seem to be very close to reaching a compromise with the County Council over our proposed developments for the sports field although there is still an issue over access to the School site. The main provisions are;
1. There is no change in the use of the playing field by the community.
2. The main field will not be fenced and will be free for community use at all times.
3. The County Council will fence the Star & Garter Field and the School will have exclusive use during term time. The field will be available for use by organized groups at all other times.
4. Maintenance of the main field will be the responsibility of the Parish Council but maintenance of the Star & Garter Field will be shared with the County Council. This includes fencing, except that maintained by the District Council.
5. The Parish Council will be free to build the new pavilion and any other development on the main field.
6. The community will still have full use of the existing changing rooms and the pavilion until such time as the new facilities are built. At this time the freehold of the pavilion will be surrendered to the County Council.
7. The County Council will surrender the current lease on the main field and in exchange the Parish Council will grant a lease on the Star & Garter Field to the County Council. The new lease will run to the remainder of the exisiting term of the current lease, but if the School ceases to exist the lease reverts to the Parish Council.
8. The freehold of the small area outside the existing pavilion will be transferred to the County Council.
The above arrangements rationalize the land issues relating to the playing fields and double the area under the full control of the Parish Council. This will allow long overdue new changing rooms to be built for both the swimming pool and for other users of the playing fields. It also provides an opportunity for other developments such as a hard surface multi use games area and other facilities for young people. Of major importance to the School, it will provide them with a secure games area.
Two issues still remain to be resolved. These cover access to the School site which is a problem for the Football Club, who need to recover footballs from what is now becoming a secure area and transfer of the swimming pool assets. The swimming pool is built on what is currently land owned by the Parish but leased to the County Council and we need formal agreement that the fixed assets of the pool will be transferred to the Parish when the new agreement comes into force.
New Changing Rooms and Pavilion
In view of the progress with County Council the Parish Council need to establish that there is still support to move this project forward and if so form a number of working groups to share the workload. The Parish Council will be approaching the organizations who are likely to be closely involved to discuss how best to move forward but we also need people to join us to work on this major new development for the Village.
Suggested working groups;
1. Fund raising to cover the business plan, grants and donations from outside bodies,
2. Building development to cover, fitness for purpose, energy considerations, eco-friendly/low carbon footprint, speed of completion, architectural needs.
3. Publicity to cover regular newsletters, news releases and contact with the media.
4. Management committee to develop an ongoing strategy for self-sufficiency of the pavilion and changing rooms and to review possible charitable status.
Each working group would need a chairman to progress objectives at an acceptable pace and members who would be a mix of Councillors and parishioners. If you are interested in joining one of the above groups or have any comments on any of the developments in the Village please contact the Clerk Tel: 0800 6343307 or e-mail: clerk@metheringham.org.uk.
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