2025 Minutes (Amenities and Open Spaces Committee)

Market Deeping Town Council – Amenities and Open Spaces Committee

Minutes of a meeting held on Wednesday 26th November 2025 at 1.30 pm held in the Town Hall Chambers, Market Deeping.  Cllr Broughton presided over Cllr Mrs D Jones, Cllr Dick Hughes, Cllr Paul Hanson and also present was the Clerk.  

37.  Chairman’s Welcome and Introductions

Cllr. Broughton welcomed members to the meeting.

38.  To note apologies and accept valid reason for Absence

Apologies for Absence were accepted from Cllr Jayne Reid and Cllr Jean Sked.

39.   Declarations of Interest under the Localism Act 2011 

There were no Declarations of Interest. 

40.  Minutes of a previous AOS meeting held on the 10th September 2025

It was RESOLVED unanimously to accept the minutes of the meeting as a true and accurate record of the meeting.  The Chairman signed the minutes.   

41.  Clerk’s report and update on work of the Park-Keepers

Members had received a copy of the report prior to the meeting.

                                                               Agenda Item 5 

Clerk’s and Park Keeper’s report 26th November 2025 

42.  Correspondence to be noted and resolved upon

Correspondence – Amenities & Open Spaces – 26th November 2025 

43.  Omega Reports

The Omega report had been circulated ahead of the meeting.  The Chairman asked members if they had any questions, there were none.

44. You to Me swing John Eve Field Play Area – For members to consider the benefits and the costs

The Clerk presented information to members on the costs involved for a You to Me swing to be installed at the John Eve Field children’s play area, which is the same design as new equipment to be installed at Cherry Tree Park and Charter Avenue children’s play area.  Total costs including installation and ground works are £4,594.75.  Members discussed and RESOLVED unanimously to accept the costs and instructed the Clerk to proceed.  

45. Remove a large Ash tree to 1 ft below hedge height, located in Cherry Tree Park – For members to consider the benefits and the costs and agree the next steps

Members discussed the current state of the Ash tree which had been pollarded many times over the years, and stated that the overall condition of the tree is in poor health.  Members unanimously RESOLVED and instructed the Clerk to make contact with contractors to ensure that the tree receives attention and reduce the Ash to 1 ft below hedge height.  

46. Park Keepers Wagon – An independent mechanic has advised that the truck needs replacement discs – For members to consider the benefits and the costs and agree the next steps

Members were advised that estimated costs are around £300 for a full set of front or rear discs with an estimated fitting cost of £100 plus VAT.  Members discussed an unanimously RESOLVED that the Park Keepers Wagon be booked in for replacement discs.

47. Vandalism on the outer perimeter fence of the Charter Avenue Allotments, a 3m x 2m mesh panel has been damaged and need replacing, estimated costs to replace range from £184.94 to £297.64 – For members to consider the benefits and costs and agree the next steps 

Members discussed and unanimously RESOLVED to replace the vandalised fence panel.

48. Vandalism on the outer perimeter and inside permitter of the children’s play area John Eve Field.  Extensive damaged caused to the hooped fencing and needs replacing, incident has been reported to 101 – For members to consider the benefits and costs and agree the next steps

Members were advised that the extent of the damage to the hooped fencing was substantial and had occurred very close to the small children’s play area.  Members discussed further and unanimously RESOLVED that replacement hopped fencing be installed as soon as possible, in order to secure the area. 

49. Precept planning for 2026/7

A head of the meeting members had been given draft copies of the proposed precept costs for 2026/2027.  In addition to the regular line items for budget planning were two additional budget lines, 1) Allotments – An allocation to set aside funds to enable a process to begin to organise a process and system for Allotment management and 2) Play equipment – An allocation to set aside funds to install hooped fencing around the children’s play area located in Charter Avenue.

The total proposed budget is £127,638.00 for Amenities and Open Spaces 2026/2027.  Members unanimously RESOLVED for this amount to be submitted to Full Council.     

50. For members to discuss any points raised in Open session

There were none.

To consider items for inclusion on the agenda for the next meeting of Amenities and Open Spaces Committee, to be held in the Town Hall Chambers on Wednesday 14th 

January 2026 at 7.00 pm, meet in the Town Hall Chambers, Market Deeping.

The Clerk was requested to include on the January agenda the following;

1. Consideration for a bench to be installed between the Glebe and John Eve Fields.

The Chairman thanked members for their attendance, the meeting closed at 1.45pm.