September 2026 Draft Minutes
DRAFT
Market Deeping Town Council – Amenities and Open Spaces Committee
Minutes of a meeting held on Wednesday 9th September 2026 at 6.45 pm held in the Council Chambers, Market Deeping. Cllr Broughton presided over Cllr Debbie Jones and Cllr Jean Sked, also present was the Town & Assistant Clerks.
12. Chairman’s Welcome and Introductions
Cllr. Broughton extended a very warm welcome to all to the meeting.
13. To note apologies and accept valid reason for Absence
Cllr Paul Hanson had sent his apologises ahead of the meeting and these were accepted.
14. Declarations of Interest under the Localism Act 2011
There were none
15. Minutes of a previous AOS meeting held on the 15th July 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.
16. 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 9th September 2026
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John Eve field
BMX Track
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Town Centre
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Clerk’s Report
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Cherry Tree Park
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Charter Avenue Children’s Play Area
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Charter Avenue Allotments
Charter Avenue Green Space
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Welland Gardens
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Riverside Park
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Cemetery Driveway
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Members discussed the Clerk’s and Park Keeper’s report with a specific interest in the levels of vandalism and anti-social behaviour that has occurred on Council owned land or assets. Members discussed the possibility of installing CCTV and agreed to explore this as a possible option further, the outcomes of which will be recorded in due course.
17. Correspondence to be noted and resolved upon
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Correspondence – Amenities & Open Spaces – 9th September 2026 Agenda item 6 |
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No. |
Received from |
Date Received |
Subject |
Committee Response |
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1. |
The Deepings Lions |
22/7/26 |
Email: Request to raise a banner on the J.E Field promoting the Duck Race, charity fund raiser for Cardia Ris in the Young & Parkinson’s UK |
Approved by Clerks |
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2. |
SKDC |
22/7/26 |
Email: Request to raise a banner on the J.E Field promoting a BMX Skillz event |
Approved by Clerks |
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3. |
Judy Stevens |
13/8/26 |
Email: Request to raise a banner on the J.E Field promoting a Pre-Loved Art Sale in support of St James Signal Box |
Approved by Clerks |
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4. |
Sue Ryder |
27/8/26 |
Email and Face to Face: Request to raise a banner on the J.E Field promoting Star Light Hike Your Way |
Approved by Clerks |
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Correspondence to be Acted Upon – Received up to 9th September 2026
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No. |
Received from |
Date Received |
Subject |
Committee Response |
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1. |
Lincolnshire Police |
23/7/26 |
Email: Email response to crimes (vandalism / ASB) that has occurred in the Council’s Children’s Play Area’s, in Charter Avenue and Cherry Tree Park. Police Occurrence Numbers have been issued |
Committee Response: Members noted the email response and it is expected that a meeting will be held with Lincolnshire Police in due course |
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18. Omega Reports (year to date)
The Omega reports had been distributed ahead of the meeting to members. The Clerk presented the information detailed in the reports. The Chairman asked if there were any questions, there were none.
19. RoSPA – Overview of findings from August assessment and next steps
The Chairman asked the Clerk to present information to the committee members. The Clerk shared the following;
A total of 98 areas were assessed by RoSPA for the annual checks and these occurred in;
John Eve Field
BMX Track
Cherry Tree Park
Charter Avenue Play Area
Areas assessed as;
- 14% Very Low Risk
- 64% Low Risk
- 20% Medium Risk
- 1% High Risk
Overall, this was a good RoSPA Assessment. The High-Risk item. Which relates to a see-saw in Charter Avenue Children’s Play area has been removed, and the Chairman is working with a local charity in Bourne who is kindly giving their skills and time to help restore the see-saw with additional work being carried out on the see-saw by the Chairman and Park Keepers in the near future, before returning to Charter Avenue Children’s Play Area.
The remainder Mediums and Low Risk areas will be incorporated into the Winter Work Schedule 2026/27. Where possible these tasks will be completed by our Park-Keepers.
20. 5-Year Plan for AOS to include objectives the Committee wishes to achieve in the next 5 Years and will need to include a replacement works Wagon.
The Clerk presented a ‘draft’ report which has been circulated ahead of the meeting. Members debated and discussed their objectives for the next 5 Years and agreed on the following to be included in their plans for the next 5 Years;
- Purchase of a new Truck. It is expected that the existing truck will need to be replaced in the next 5 years, the year yet to be determined, but to be replaced whilst the present truck would still have some part exchange value. Anticipated costs between 20k – 30k.
- Replacement Tractor. It is expected that the existing tractor will need to be replaced in the next 5 years, the year yet to be determined, but to be replaced whilst the present tractor would still have some part exchange value. Anticipated costs between 10k – 15k.
Asset Acquisition.
- Greensland. To explore the possibility of taking over this area of green space. It is expected that tentative discussions are likely to be held within the next 12 to 18 months.
- Tattershall Drive (Green space areas either side of Tattershall Drive toward Towngate West). To explore the possibility of taking over this area of green space. It is expected that tentative discussions are likely to be held within the next 12 to 18 months.
Additional Areas.
- BMX Track. Very popular and much used community asset which does require regular maintenance, however, the track will require periodically substantial work in order to keep this asset in good working order, so included in the 5year plan specifically for major overhaul work which is likely to be required. Anticipated costs between 15k and 20k.
- The Millfield. Requested to be included in the 5-year plan, at this stage, with a view to at some point in the future exploring the possibility of taking over this land, no tentative discussions are in the immediate plans.
- Cherry Tree Park. Specifically, the concrete area, with a view to alter this area to tarmac with a children’s design on the ground (painted) for small children to follow a path/route. Costs are expected to be substantial; costs will need to be obtained and then to be included into the 5-year plan
21. Precept Planning – First stages; for members to discuss and agree outline areas to enable precept planning for AOS
Members discussed including the following into their precept for next year.
John Eve Chidlren’s Play Park; Priority to replace the old and worn Eco bubble with green matting, a site assessment is required to decide which area to be replaced next year, as well as obtaining costs for this work (action Clerks).
Goal Posts/Goal Mouth; Old goal posts have rotten and need replacing, estimated costs are circa 1K, the goal mouth needs maintenance of the ground area. Estimated total costs 1.6K.
No new purchase of play equipment is expected for the John Eve Children’s Play Area next year due to new equipment has been purchased and installed over the past 3 years.
BMX Track; Yearly maintenance is required for this well used and popular track and is anticipated to include repairs, ground works and maintenance of the Bund. Costs for this work to be obtained (action Clerks).
Cherry Tree Park; No purchase of play equipment required for next year due to new play equipment being installed this year. An allocation of funding is required for planting to maintain this area. Expected costs to be circa £500.
Welland Gardens; An assessment will be made of the existing iron fencing, to understand if any sections need replacing, if so, these costs will be included into the precept of next year (action Clerks).
Riverside Park; As assessment will be made of the existing area to understand the extent of the rat holes, and if necessary, any corrective actions with costs that maybe required (action Clerks).
Costings will be obtained for the next meeting so that these can be incorporated into the precept requirements for AOS.
22. Maintenance work required on the John Eve/Glebe Fields with the filling if deep rivets and holes, in order to maintain the areas Park Keepers need to hire equipment to complete these tasks. For members to discuss and agree costs for the hire of equipment at £351.00
Members discussed and unanimously RESOLVED to agree the costs of £351.00 to hire the equipment.
23. Riverside: For members to discuss and agree the next steps for a Tablet to be installed alongside the tree planting to celebrate the Accession of King Charles, costs expected to be £1,000 assigned from EMR333 or EMR332 (Omega)
Members discussed and unanimously RESOLVED to agree the costs of £1000 for the Tablet with inscription.
[7.15pm Cllr Dick Hughes arrived]
24. Charter Avenue Play Area; For members to discuss and agree next steps for the following;
- A) Goal Posts – Estimated at £1,000 for two goal posts
Due to the anticipated level of work that will be going ahead on this area over the next 12 months, this item will be ‘parked’ and will be reviewed at a later date.
- B) See-saw has been highlighted by the RoSPA report and further investigations are continuing
The See-saw was identified as a High Priority in the latest RoSPA report and was removed from site. See also Agenda item 5.
Charter Avenue Green Space Area;
- C) Landscaping the Green Space Area located in Charter Avenue work will be carried out voluntarily and a concept has been prepared by our volunteer for members to consider in principle, estimated overall project costs are 15K
Four possible design features had been circulated ahead of the meeting to give some ideas as to what could be installed in the green space area. Members expressed their gratitude for the ideas and commented on the creativity of the individual who had created the documents. Members discussed further and decided that the best way to move design concepts forward is to meet up with the volunteer, along with the Chairman to discuss further.
Charter Avenue Allotments;
- D) For members to consider the concept of forming a Residents Association to facilitate the day to day running and management of the Allotments
Members considered the concept of forming a Residents Association to facilitate the day to day running and management of Allotments. Members discussed and unanimously RESOLVED to forming a Residents Association for the Allotments.
The Chairman stated that he is willing to be the Chairman for a period of six months, until the newly formed Residents Association has ‘‘found its feet’’.
The Clerk will arrange a separate meeting, specifically relating to the Allotments to progress this work further.
25. For members to consider and discuss any points raised in the Open Session
There were none.
26. 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 11th November 2026 at 6.45pm meet in the Council Chambers, Town Hall, Market Deeping
Meeting Closed: 7.20pm
CHAIRMAN’S SIGNATURE……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
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