2026 Minutes (Amenities and Open Spaces Committee)

DRAFT

Market Deeping Town Council – Amenities and Open Spaces Committee

Minutes of a meeting held on Wednesday 13th May 2026 at 6.45 pm held in the Town Hall Chambers, Market Deeping.  Cllr Broughton presided over Cllr Debbie Jones, Cllr Dick Hughes, Cllr Paul Hanson, Cllr Jayne Reed, Cllr Jean Sked and also present was the Clerk. 

72.  Chairman’s Welcome and Introductions

Cllr. Broughton extended a very warm welcome to all to the meeting.

73.  To note apologies and accept valid reason for Absence

There were none.

74.   Declarations of Interest under the Localism Act 2011

Cllr Bob Broughton – Agenda Item 14, Prejudicial Interest

75.  Minutes of a previous AOS meeting held on the 11th March 2026

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.   

76.  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 13th May 2026

16.  Correspondence to be noted and resolved upon

77.  Omega Reports

Omega Reports had been distributed ahead of the meeting.  The Chairman asked if there were any questions, there were none.

78.   Welland Gardens: For members to discuss a request that has been received by the Round Table to install a bench in Welland Gardens

Members discussed and unanimously RESOLVED to agree to a bench and instructed the Clerk to make contact with the Round Table to invite them to meet with the Chairman at Welland Gardens to discuss the location of where a bench could be sited.

79. John Eve Field:  For members to consider a possible installation of new activity equipment; one suggestion made has been for a concrete table tennis table 

Members discussed and agreed at this point in time that they did not wish to install a concrete table tennis table in the John Eve Field, and that the installation of any new amenity equipment will be kept under review.  The Clerk was instructed to contact the resident who had raised a request for the possible installation of a concrete table tennis table to update them and to thank them for their suggestion.

80. Purchase of a third Lawnmower: For members to discuss and consider the cost of £650.00 ex VAT to purchase a Stihl RM 4.1 RT Petrol Mulching Lawn Mower for use in the fields and to enable both Park Keepers and Cemetery Keeper to all be able to use a mower at the same time

Members discussed and unanimously RESOLVED for the purchase of a third Lawnmower.

81. Possible location of a Defibrillator: For members to discuss and agree the next steps for moving the location of a previously acquired defibrillator away from the Green School to a possible new location at the end of Tattershall Drive, located on the green space area

Members discussed and unanimously RESOLVED to explore re-locating a purchased/donated Defibrillator to a different location subject to ensuring a sufficient power supply and relevant permissions.

82. Deepings raft Race:  For members to consider a request for the Public Toilets to be open on the day of the Raft Race, and also the use of Riverside Park

Members discussed and unanimously RESOLVED for the Raft Race to have use of the Public Toilets and Riverside Park   

83. Riverside Park: A recent councillor inspection has reported that there are nine areas listed on this noticeboard that are out of date.  For members to consider having the information updated and having the noticeboard cleaned

Members discussed and unanimously RESOLVED to arrange to have the noticeboard cleaned and the information updated and advised The Clerk to contact Deeping Heritage who may wish to be involved

84. Allotments: For members to discuss quotes received to screen off the area for allotments (on side fencing) facing the children’s play area

The Clerk explained that three suppliers had been contacted and asked to quote for work to provide a fence between the children’s play area and the Allotments.  One supplier did not respond, two suppliers did respond and both of these made site visits to measure up the area, in order to provide quotes.  The two quotes were presented to committee as supplier (2) and supplier (3).  Members discussed and by majority vote (one abstention) RESOLVED to accept supplier (2) quote at £5480.00 

85. Allotments: For members to discuss and agree the next steps regarding planning for the allotment site, to also include policies, procedures, risk assessment & children’s play area by installing hooped fencing to secure the area for play, members to discuss and agree next steps 

The Chairman informed members that an offer has been made by the young Explorers to help support the council by offering their services to help clear the existing tarmac paths of weeds, as well as cutting back of foliage.  Their offer has been accepted and are expected to join us in June this year.  In addition, the Clerk updated members and described two areas of work that need to be undertaken before the Allotments can reach the stage off offering plots to residents, these are; the ringfencing (hooped) fencing of the small children’s area to keep children safe whilst playing in the area, and the creation of a handbook that will detail all procedures, policies and risk assessments associated with Allotments.  Members discussed further and agreed for the Clerk and Chairman to make contact with other Councils who operate Allotments using a management committee.        

86. For members to consider and discuss any points in the Open session

There were none

87. To consider items for inclusion on the agenda for the next meeting of Amenities and Open Spaces committee, to be held at the Town Hall Chambers on Wednesday 15th July 2026 starting at 06.45pm to meet on the John Eve Field, Market Deeping.

To be included in the next Agenda:  Cherry Tree Park - Water Supply (options)

Meeting Closed: 7.20pm

CHAIRMAN’S SIGNATURE……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

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