Document Date
10/09/2025
Created by
Parish Clerk
Category
Meetings
Wollaston Parish Council
Wollaston Parish Council
Document Date
10/09/2025
Created by
Parish Clerk
Category
Meetings
WOLLASTON PARISH COUNCIL
PLAYING FIELD & PARKS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON
Wednesday 10th September 2025, 7pm
At The Village Hall, High Street, Wollaston
VOTING MEMBERS PRESENT
Hodson, Jones, Mitchell, Perry, Savage (Chair), Silsby and Mrs S. Grant (Clerk).
PUBLIC PRESENT
None
APOLOGIES
Apologies from Mr Atkinson, Mr Cotter and Mr Green.
MINUTES
The minutes of the last meeting from 9th July 2025 were agreed unanimously and signed as a correct record.
FINANCES
Finances to end of August 2025 had been circulated – no issues.
There will be a 5% increase on the bin waste charges with effect from 1st October 2025.
PLAY EQUIPMENT AND ADULT GYM INSPECTION/MAINTENANCE
Mr Savage confirmed he had inspected the equipment and handed the inspection sheet to the Clerk. The wooden balance log at St Mary’s has been damaged and two quotes have been obtained to replace this and the worn spinning disc with new equipment (Playground Supplies £3,439 and Wicksteed £3,125.45). The Hen Rocker at the Pyghtles Park has snapped and a new spring has been ordered at a cost of £631.00. It was agreed that the limit for insurance claims be set at £1,000.
There was an incident at the London Road Playing Fields play area on July 29th 2025 resulting in a child tripping on the surface resulting in an injury. This trip hazard was highlighted in the external audit carried out by Seagrave Inspections on June 4th 2025. The parents of the injured child have raised a personal injury claim which is being dealt with by our insurance company, Zurich. Due to this incident, all three external audit report’s highlighted issues will need to be assessed. Mr Savage to call Seagrave Inspections to discuss the way forward. Mr Savage to raise at the Parish Council meeting on 18th September a request for funding to cover the necessary work and the purchase of new equipment.
MUGA UPDATE
Continued problems with the mobile basketball units blowing over in the wind, a further 50kg of sand has been added to each unit. There is an issue with the height adjustment handles on the basketball units not being fit for purpose.
Clerk has ordered free of charge replacements, but it is not thought that this will solve the problem. A large amount of rubbish/water bottles are being left on the courts despite a bin being available. Clerk to chase The Playground Company for details for the annual maintenance programme for the MUGA courts.
POCKET PARK
Mr Thompson continues to work hard keeping the garden tidy.
SPORTS ASSOCIATION REPORT
The cricket season has almost finished, and it has been a successful year for all adult and youth teams. To comply with County requirements, an under 9’s girls team has been established. Youth presentation evening to be held this week.
Football – season has commenced with first home game this weekend. Good communication continues with the Youth regarding pitch availability. There is a Steering Group meeting at Wollaston Secondary School on 18th September to discuss the Football Development Plan, Mr Perry to update at the next meeting.
PURCHASES REQUIRED
The Tree Audit has been carried out at a cost of £1,325 and once the report has been received, 3 quotes to be obtained for the necessary work.
FIELD MAINTENANCE/MATTERS RELATING TO THE FIELD
Cess pit has been emptied this week and appears to be less frequent; this could be due to the dry summer.
Rabbiting control continues, thanks to Mr Green.
Clerk to draw up a thank you letter to Mr Ward for his volunteer work grass cutting the field as he is now stepping down. More recruitment is required for the grass cutting, 4 people are required, preferably from the football, Mr Cotter has kindly volunteered.
Car parking – continues to be an issue, particularly in April/May and August/September when football and cricket cross over. Mr Perry to draw up an A4 laminated sign to direct people to the temporary overflow carpark on the field on match days, as currently it is not visible. This should accommodate around 20 cars in a 10m space to alleviate the parking on the road. This is a temporary solution and going forward, fencing will potentially be required for safety issues. To be discussed over the winter.
End of Season pitch work – Mr Silsby has not received a response from Mr Allen, NNC for a discussion on S106 monies for the work required. The excess clay in the ground has resulted in major cracking of the surface. The Cricket Club will carry out the necessary annual work of scarifying and seeding at the end of September but going forward a two year staged element plan is required for the whole field for better grass coverage, fertilizer and a new type of hybrid wicket. Mr Silsby to approach Premier for this quote and Clerk to begin a business case for the S106 monies for this project.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Wednesday 8th October 2025 at 7pm at the Village Hall, High Street, Wollaston.
There being no further business the Chair thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8:35pm.