Villages

Published date14 April 2021
PLAY PARK PROJECT. East Leake parish council have confirmed the good news that they have employed a contractor to repair the surface of the play park.

In a statement to the village the council, whose chairman is Coun. Kevin Shaw, say they would like to thank everyone for their patience thus far. "We do understand how frustrating the wait has been," as the unsafe surface prevented use of the hugely popular facility.

The council say the contractor, one of four who were contacted by the council as they stepped up their effort to get the work in hand, has been instructed to commence work as soon as possible.

The announcement from the parish council adds: "Please could we take this opportunity to reiterate that the playground is out of bounds. It has been brought to our attention on several occasions that parents are lifting their children over the fence to play in there. This is unsafe and we ask that you do not do this."

East Leake parish council have been progressing for some time with the plans to have the repairs carried out to the surface of the playground on the Gotham road site.

Four firms put in proposals to the council for the required work with the one being favoured giving an assurance that existing equipment on the site would not be removed to allow the work to go ahead, but would be worked around.

Although the council kept the costs involved under wraps at their meeting it was

stated that the costs would go over budget, and it may be necessary to move set aside for other projects to be moved to cover the costs for the surface scheme.

MEADOW PARK VOLUNTEERS. The work of volunteers involved at East Leake's Meadow Park has again been highlighted during the continuing difficulties caused by the COVID-19 situation throughout the UK.

Brenda Lewis, Publicity Secretary for the Friends of Meadow Park group, says all seems to be going as well as it

can for Meadow Park in the current circumstances. "I have lost count of the number of people who have told me how much they have valued having a facility like Meadow Park in the village".

In a report just issued by the officer, she says a good outline of what has been going on in the park since the new year is given in their report that looks at activities that have take lace in the period from January to April this year. "We are lucky to have so many dedicated volunteers and such a generous membership both of which has enabled our on-going work such as planting bulbs, hedge-laying etc to continue," says Brenda.

But she continues: "Sadly for our membership numbers we have not been able to have our usual 'raising awareness' events like Meet Your Village in April or the summer carnival.

" Leaflets recruiting members have been given out on an ad hoc basis with reasonable results," she says, adding that if anyone knows someone who would be interested in becoming a FoMP they would be welcomed. A membership

form, which gives information about the park and an easier to print, black and white word document membership form is readily available and they can of course also be emailed.

Brenda says she has A5 leaflets/membership forms which she would be delighted to drop offto anyone interested or to existing members for them to give to friends/neighbours who may be interested in joining them.

"If you would like me to drop off, say 20 leaflets, for distribution please just let me know and I will pop them through your door." is Brenda's message.

The village group are supporting the Hedgehog Street online petition aimed at trying to persuade the government to increase protection for hedgehogs and advise anyone can follow the link https://petition.

parliament.uk/ petitions/550379 which is described as being very straightforward and which takes only a minute or two to complete.

Brenda says the petition already has over 100,000 signatories, but more wouldn't go amiss. "If you

want to know more about hedgehog street see https://www. hedgehogstreet.org/ environment-billamendment/ Brenda says FoMP put together a slide presentation of a walk in the park last spring, and it I hoped it will be put on the village web site on their pages. "We hope to have a link to it from our Facebook page. You will enjoy the presentation."

PRIMARY SCHOOL PLAN.

With housing development still taking place at a pace in East Leake, the news that plans for a new primary

school in the village have been submitted to Nottinghamshire County Council has been welcomed.

A total of 235 new homes are to be built on a site offRempstone Road and the school is required to support new housing in that area.

The new school project is intended to serve the new housing developments to the edge of East Leake adjacent the site and the village itself.

In a statement to Notts County Council they are told: "The school has been located on the southern piece of land to give a closer relationship to the adjacent housing development.

"It is also anticipated that the building can then be located at a similar level to the adjacent housing."

The full proposal put to the County is: Outline application (with some matters reserved) for the erection of a Primary School for up to 2-forms of entry (in phases), plus 26 place nursery with associated car parking. Associated areas of soft play, hard play, grass playing field with landscaping works.

Erection of 2m high security fencing and gates to perimeter and sprinkler tank. Provision of bound surface and lit 3m shared pedestrian and cycle path on route of Public Footpath East Leake FP5. Bound surface and lit path and bridge between Sheepwash Way and Public Footpath East Leake FP5.

PAVILION UPGRADE. East Leake Parish Council, in collaboration with East Leake Playing Field Charity, are moving forward with plans for the upgrading of the Costock Road Pavilion.

A statement issued to the last meeting of the parish

council says they have revised their approach into two separate phases, a new pavilion building and refurbishment of the brick block.

The statement from form parish clerk Neil Lambert and the project manager said the parish council had engaged Welland Procurement service to conduct the tendering process and tenders were invited from 11 contractors who had visited the site in order to submit prices. Costs will be separated between the two phases to assist allocating funding available and identify the shortfall.

An application to the Football Foundation will be completed by April 23 and include a firm construction cost in order for them to decide whether they will invest up to £375,000 in the new pavilion (Phase 1) at their July panel meeting.

Mr Lambert said regrettably their application to Severn Trent Community Fund for £126,183, specifically for phase 2, refurbishment of the brick building was unsuccessful.

The Playing Field Charity applied to GF Tomlinson for support under their Partnership Programme, which mainly provides advice and ideas, but also materials and funding under some circumstances. The Charity also had details for Landfill Tax grants of up to £75k, but a third-party funder will have to provide 10% of the sum.

The report by Mr Lambert said Section 106 funding,-- approx £280k, -- can be spread across the two phases, so there should be a balance remaining after phase one available towards phase two.

The cost of furniture and equipment will be the local fundraising target.

Plans for the new car park, on the north side of Costock Road, are also progressing, with this to be funded by the parish council reserves and should relieve traffic congestion at weekends.

A detailed report will be

presented to the April 27 meeting of the parish council. including latest updates, including planning, the outcome of tender evaluation for both phases, a funding news and budget review and handover arrangements from Project Manager.

RAPID COVID TESTS. Households with primary

school, secondary school and college age children, including childcare and...

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