Report for Parks and Cemetery Superintendent

22^nd January 2024

 

Grass Roots Football

The Town Council have been approached by three local grassroots football teams asking to use Areley Kings Recreation Ground, Stourport and the War Memorial Park for their home pitches.  I have met with two of the clubs but the third club only contacted us in the last few days.

The first request received have enquired if there is a possibility that their team would be able to use the War Memorial Park.  Their current pitch is pretty much unplayable for most of the Winter and their players are mostly from Stourport and the surrounding area.  They are looking for a ground they can rent and call their own for the youth team.

The main requirements are: 

• A football pitch
• Storage of equipment, i.e. goal posts, goal nets and line marking machine
• Toilet facilities
• Car parking

They have stated changing rooms are not essential.  Current storage at Stourport Community centre could potentially accommodate this.

They have four teams and would look to be able to play matches Saturday mornings and Sunday mornings and afternoons but games would not be every week.  They would be willing to do the marking out of the pitch and be happy to agree a fixed price for the use of the pitch over a fixed time but they have stipulated they would like to be the sole user of the pitch to limit overuse and excessive wear to the grass.

The current grass cutting service may not change dramatically and toilets and parking are already in place.

The second request received have expressed an interest in using Areley Kings Recreational Ground, Stourport as their home ground.  They have to currently share their ground with other teams.  They are also looking for a place they can call their home and have put together some information of what they would like. They have four teams and would want to play Saturdays and Sundays.

Goal posts are already in place at Areley Kings Recreational Ground but the site has no current storage and toilet facilities.

Having spoken to some of the committee members of the club and once they know if it is possible to rent the pitch, they are willing to fundraise to purchase a container for storage and hire toilets if necessary.  They are also happy to do their own marking out and minor maintenance.  In addition, they are happy to pay a fixed rental price for the use of the ground but would also want it exclusive to themselves.

Both teams estimate between 15 and 20 cars on site per game.

It would be good to promote the multi-use of our open spaces and could see an income for the Council. 

Bedding Plants and Baskets

Quotations have been received for this Summer’s flower beds and baskets.  The proposal is to stay with the current supplier as he is local and flexible and although there were a few issues last year over consistency and watering, this has been discussed and this is still the best option for plants this Summer.  The quotation for bedding plants is £1,219.80.

The quotation for hanging baskets for 2024 is £1,770.00 which includes 12 extra half baskets for Stourport bridge and 14 extra 14-inch round hanging baskets for Villeneuve Gardens which have already been purchased at a reduced price.  Currently, 22 of the half baskets (52 in total), which the Council have been using for a number of years belong to the nursery that supplies the plants.  The Council now have the option to purchase these at a cost of £5 each, i.e. £110.

Creation of a feature for one of the beds at the War Memorial Park to commemorate the anniversary of D-Day80 is a possibility.

Watering

Watering of the baskets was a concern during 2023 and it might be preferable for the watering to be done inhouse by the Parks staff.  However, the Council do not own a water bowser.  The quotation received from the supplier for watering the baskets for 2024 is £720.  The cost to the Council to purchase their own machine would be approximately £3,000 for a new machine or approximately £1,200 for a second hand machine.

Christmas Lights

The Council have been more involved with the erecting of the Christmas lights last Christmas, working closely with the Stourport Light Brigade volunteers who give up a lot of their own time for the town.  However, to continue the support of this, there is training required. 

Online training for working at heights and manual handling can be arranged through Worknest (the Council’s Health & Safety provider) at no cost.  However, for the main qualification that enables the use of MEWP’s (Mobile Elevating Work Platforms) and cherry pickers, quotations have been received at a cost of £215 plus VAT per person.  This provides a certificate for five years and it is recommended that four people be sufficient to cover the work, two from the parks team and two from the light brigade team.

Grants

Contact has been made with Natural Network Grants for Worcestershire who give conservation advice and discuss ideas for open spaces.  This could potentially lead to grant funding to help cover the costs for any project the Council wish to do, i.e. wildflower seeding and maintenance at Lloyds Meadow and advice on other improvements that may be possible in the War Memorial Park and Areley Kings Recreational Ground.

Equipment

There is one piece of equipment which would be advantageous to purchase – a cylinder mower at a cost of £300 (second hand from one of our current suppliers).  This would be used around the flower beds without causing damage to the edges.