Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Lesley Cooper, Community Safety.

The Chair welcomed those present and introductions were made.

The Cabinet Member referred to a number of letters received from residents both for and against the play area and gave a background report on the issue.

Reference was made to anti-social behaviour problems throughout the Borough, the lack of a clear decision from the Parish Council on their view of the situation and what facility they would prefer to have on the estate, the issue of funding alternative options and the need to engage with youths on the estate.

It was felt the issue appeared to be the open space that was attracting youths rather than the play area.

Councillors J. Hamilton, Hodgkiss and R. S. Russell reported individually on their involvement in this matter, giving their views for a solution and an indication of the views of local residents both for and against the removal of the play area. 

The planning process was referred to at the time the siting of the play area had originally been agreed and particular reference was made to letters sent to local residents in 2000.  Five sites had been put forward for consideration at that time.

Comments centred around:-

-                       Youth nuisance / anti-social behaviour / confrontational issues involving residents and youths

-                       Involvement of Police and Neighbourhood Wardens

-                       Disturbance/disruption to residents/sleep disruption to children

-                       Supervision of children

-                       Possibility of a Youth Shelter

-                       Youths from other areas of the Borough

-                       Use of motor scooters and ball games

-                       Re-siting of the play area

The point was made that most of the youth nuisance occurred after Youth Workers had ceased working and into the early hours of the morning.

The meeting considered the following letters/reports in addition to those contained in the agenda:-

-                      Letter from South Yorkshire Police

-                      Photographs

-                      Note on the current evening provision from the Youth Service

-                      Note from Lesley Cooper, Community Safety Unit

-                      E mail correspondence to Cabinet Member

The meeting considered a report of the Green Spaces Manager which set out the following options:-

-                       Intensive site monitoring

-                       Retain existing play area with new measures to prevent/tackle nuisance

-                       Relocate the play area

-                       Funding

Councillor Hill reported that Brampton Parish Council had not discussed the matter and had no official view.

The problem was not uncommon in other council/private estates within the Borough and the Parish Council had received several complaints from the neighbourhood.

The Parish Council was not in a position to fund changes to Leewood Close and was presently seeking to attract funding for an area a distance away within the boundaries of OId Brampton at the side of the Parish Hall.  This would be too far away to be of any benefit to residents of Leewood Close.

The meeting was informed of the extent of the youth work on the estate over the past months and of the feelings of young people in terms of a lack of facilities for them.

The play area was respected by local youths and there is very little vandalism on the park.

If the play area is taken away it would leave an empty area which would need to be used appropriately.

The Youth Service would prefer to work with a group of young people to obtain their views with regard to their needs on the estate, and facilities to keep them safe.

The meeting was informed that there had been no vandalism on the play area site and that signage remained intact.

It was agreed that there was a lack of facilities for older children.

Reference was made to practical considerations in relation to costs in addressing options to solve nuisance behaviour.  Any relocation of the play area would possibly require planning permission and other areas on the estate had already been investigated several years ago.

The developer had been contacted to inform them that the Council was considering a different course of action and a response was presently awaited.  The developer did recognise that the site is provided for public access.

Mopeds appeared from photographs not to have been taken into the play area and there was no evidence of illegal use of motor bikes.

It was felt to be a case of looking at current arrangements for residents, children and young people and exploring all options.

A temporary youth shelter at Thurcroft had worked very well and had stopped nuisance in the area.  The next trial of the youth shelter was to be in Maltby.

The meeting was informed of the cost associated with the erection of a Youth Shelter, which would only be for pathways and lighting.  The safety of young people was an issue and a well-lit area must be a feature of any facility.

To close the play area and remove it would cost in the region of £58,000, plus costs for other designs.

Feedback from some residents had been more about concerns for after hours use of the play area.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the option of removing the play area be not pursued.

(2) That the option of a youth shelter be further explored, possibly using the temporary shelter currently being used at Maltby.

(3)    That Officers investigate possible sources of funding for lighting and pathways for a youth shelter, through the Parish Council, Area Assembly, Police Authority, Housing Market Renewal and Capital Programme.

(4)   That officers commence the process of engaging young people in an endeavour to identify a location for a youth shelter on an ‘informal’ play area adjacent to the estate.  This is to be done with the assistance of youth workers within the Youth Service.

(5)   That the Head of Culture and Leisure contact the developer to ascertain their view on the proposal.

(6)  That the Democratic Services Officer write to Ward Councillors and Parish Councillors to inform them of the decisions of this meeting.