News

Public Report Number HPC/08/03

10 September 2008

VILLAGE HALL CAR PARK

SUMMARY:
This report outlines options for enhancements to the village hall car park from within Section 106 monies.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION:
The Parish Council will be asked to prioritise projects to be provided from Section 106 monies. This project has been identified by the Parish Council and as several options are available, the Parish Council is required to indicate in principle which is its preferred option.

RECOMMENDATIONS
1. To receive and note the report.
2. To agree in principle the preferred option of the Parish Council for provision from within Section 106 monies.
3. To proceed with a computer assisted design of the preferred scheme.

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 On 13 February 2008, minute 572, the Parish Council resolved to produce an overall strategy for the provision for community and youth facilities using section 106 monies. Two pots of money are available; transportation funds (£100,000) and Community funds (£255,000). This was done in conjunction with The Parish Council approving its Aims and Objectives for 2008/11.

1.2 The Parish Council agreed to the release of £7,000 towards the De Havilland Close footpath and £3,000 towards the Pritchard Drive footpath. This leaves a current pot of £244,000 in the community funds pot.

1.3. The Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Clerk have been progressing the projects identified by the Parish Council at the extra-ordinary meeting in July 2007. Discussions have been held with Shepway District Council officers and it is anticipated that a full and detailed report will be placed before the Parish Council at its meeting in October when the Parish Council will be asked to prioritise the various schemes, the car park being one. The Parish Council will be required to balance the priority of enhancing the car park against the provision of other recreational facilities. Other funding streams from the sale of the Leisuredrome, the funding held by Shepway District Council for the provision of changing facilities at the football ground and any available grant funding will also form part of the report.


2. VILLAGE HALL CAR PARK

2.1 BACKGROUND

The Village Hall car park was highlighted as one of the priorities for the Parish Council and discussions have identified that improvements can be made using funds from the community pot. The results of a consultation carried out at the Hawkinge Fun Day in 2007, relating to the route of the footpath to be provided through the car park were reported to the Parish Council on 10 October 2007, minute 501 and it was resolved to extend the existing footpath and cycle path along the edge of the village hall car park joining Canterbury Road. The surface of the car park is currently maintained by way of the potholes being filled on an annual basis from within the existing budget. Other issues of concern relate to pedestrians walking through the middle of the car park, lighting and general maintenance.

The Chairman, Vice Chairman and the Clerk have sought advice from the District Council’s Engineer and met him on site to obtain a view and estimated cost of the project. No alterations are proposed for the access to the car park.

The Parish Council is asked to consider various options for the enhancement of the car park including the less expensive option and the more costly option. Detailed costs have not been officially requested as at this stage it would be possible to have either the less or more expensive option included in the bid from the section 106 monies.

Both options are shown on the sketch plan attached to this report.

2.2. OPTION 1

This is the least expensive option and involves improvements as follows, but does not include the complete resurfacing of the existing car park, a ball park figure for these works is £15,000:

• Creation of a 3 meter wide combined footpath/cyclepath connecting the existing path at the Community Centre to Canterbury Road, with a chicane at the Canterbury Road junction. Tree to be retained.
• Waist height column lighting poles down the side of the footpath.
• Close off rear end of footpath which currently runs down the side of the village hall.
• Bumper fencing around the car park (like that at the Community Centre).
• A height restriction barrier and gate to shut off the car park if required.
• The removal of the large white notice board on the grass verge and replacement with a triangular board to include Parish Council logo.
• The incorporation of the grass verge at the rear and front of the car park within the Parish Maintenance contract.
• New signs to be included.

The benefits of this option include:
• Reduces costs for both initial renovation and future maintenance.
• Stops bikers and skaters from using it as a make shift sports park at night.
• Reduces the likelihood of undesirables using it as a long term stay over

The disadvantages include:
• Increased risk of slips, trips and falls.

2.3 OPTION 2

This is the more expensive option and includes the complete resurfacing, with tarmac of the whole car park, a ball park figure for these works is £50,000:

• Includes all of the above plus
• The complete surface being tarmaced
• The provision of marked disabled bays.

The benefits of this option include:
• Reduced likelihood of trips, slips and falls.

The disadvantages include:
• Increases the costs for both initial renovation and possibly future maintenance.
• May encourage bikers and skaters to use it as a make shift sports park at night.

Future maintenance costs of both options still need to be considered and included within future budget and further information is being sought.

3. CONCLUSION

The Parish Council is asked to indicate in principle which option it wishes to pursue, to enable a computer assisted design to be produced and to use this as a base for a more detailed proposal to be put forward.

4. CONTACT OFFICER AND BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS

If you have any queries about this report please contact The Responsible Finance Officer of the Council
Tel: 01304 242704, 01303 893681 or email: Clerk@Hawkingepc.org.uk prior to the meeting.

Background Documents: Village hall car park file.