Skatepark Working Group Minutes
The Skatepark Working Group was set up by Council to help carry out its decision to create a Skate Park in the Recreation Ground.
The group consisted of all councillors, and two co-opted experts, Guy Rawlinson, a Landscape Architect and Nick Barber, a skateboarder with previous experience of the development and use of skateparks.
As with all our meetings, it was open to public observers, though none ever attended.
The group had no executive role, but provided a forum for detailed discussion and the consideration of alternatives. It then made recommendations to the council which were presented, discussed and formally decided at council meetings.
The Minutes were regarded only as a record for members and an 'aide memoire' for the decision making process at the council meetings. We have been persuaded that sharing those minutes might help those who have concerns that something improper might happen, to have more confidence in the process. Those minutes are appended here. The first minute is of a full council site meeting, not the Working Group
DS 10/10 2018
WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF SITE MEETING HELD
SATURDAY 20TH JANUARY 2018
10.30 AM RECREATION GROUND WOLSINGHAM
LOCATION OF PROPOSED SKATE PARK
PRESENT: Chair D. Sugden, , Mrs. Y. Bell, J. Norman, S. Palombella, , K. Tippins, J. Wilson
Landscape Architect : Guy Rawlinson
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Mrs. A. Savory
The site meeting had been called to select the location for the proposed skate park at the recreation ground.
Three areas were considered :
1: 'A' south west corner of the original play ground adjacent to the play area and down from the bowling green. The area of the skate park was marked out and would fit in the area without affecting , trees roadways or any other facilities , albeit could encroach on the parking area for the show folk , who use this area one week of the year in August/September.
A pipeline runs the length of the area and talks would have to be made with Northumbrian Water , as to how near the skate park could be, to the pipeline.
Other uses for this area were also discussed , tennis court and hockey pitch.
If this was agreed, maybe a more comprehensive planning application can be made to incorporate these ideas.
2: 'B' The second location was due south of the previous location between the football field and a copse of trees. Again the area was marked out and the facility could fit in this area. The same pipeline as above ran the length of the proposed location and similarly talks would have to be undertaken with Northumbrian Water. Although not as visible as location 1 it was beyond the tree line, an area which had been previously requested by two objectors to the proposal in the March 2017 consultation.
3: 'C' The third location was more to the west of the bottom field amongst a clearing of woodland, the ground was “ made up” ground from foundry waste from the local steelworks.
Nearby there were a street of houses and a cul de sac of 6 properties , who would no doubt object to the proposal. Because of the location and sub strata of this area , it was not thought to be a suitable site.
This left site one & two for consideration at the February meeting , to be held 13th FEBRUARY.
The topic would be placed first on the agenda and Guy Rawlinson would attend the meeting to advise.
WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF SKATE PARK WORKING GROUP
TUESDAY 15TH MAY 2018
6.30 PM TOWN HALL, WOLSINGHAM
PRESENT: Chair D. Sugden, R. George, Mrs. Y. Bell, A. Vipond J. Norman
APOLOGIES : Mrs. A. Nelson,
Cllr. Norman proposed that Cllr. K. Tippins be appointed Chair of this working group, and duly accepted, but unfortunately had to leave the meeting.
To secure the funding from North Pennines Dales Leader the final expression of interest form and planning application to be submitted by 14th September.
Three prospective contractors had expressed an interest, Freestyle, Canvass & Bendcrete
It was suggested that a Consultant/ Project Manager to advise on the project and to liaise with the contractor. Guy Rawlinson had offered his services at a previous site meeting, Rob George to speak to Guy and establish a plan going forward, and to co-opt to the working group, also to co-opt a skateboard expert who had recently moved into the town.
Before an outline could be submitted to contractors the location of the skate park needed to be identified, at the consultation event two sites had been proposed A or B, site C had been dismissed as the substrata was “ made up” ground from foundry waste . Cllr. Norman suggested that a further site D between the allotments and football pitch should be considered.
Clerk to contact the prospective contractors and inform them we are ready to proceed, and hopefully gain some feedback on a design/ planning applications and timescales & costs.
It was agreed to have fortnightly meetings from Wednesday 30th May 6.30 pm at the Town Hall.
WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF SKATE PARK WORKING GROUP
MEETING HELD
WEDNESDAY 30TH MAY 2018
6.30 PM TOWN HALL, WOLSINGHAM
PRESENT: K. Tippins ( Chair) , D. Sugden, Mrs. Y. Bell, R. George, J. Norman A. Vipond
Guy Rawlinson, Nick Barber
Guy Rawlinson & Nick Barber were introduced to the group and were duly co-opted to the group. Guy is a landscape architect and has had dealings with projects going forward to planning, Nick is primarily a bicycle fan but has had dealings with skate parks.
Following the brief introductions the chair moved on to outline the objectives to be achieved.
The first objective was to select the location, previously site A & B had been explored and these two had been voted on at the consultation event, with site A being the favoured site ( 2 : 1).
Site D , an area next to the allotments and football pitch was explored but was not found to be acceptable as site A.
So site A it is. In choosing Site A the group were mindful that noise and lighting would need to be managed in respect to neighbouring properties.
In close proximity to site A there is a drainage pipe which would need to be scanned by the chosen contractor to make sure it will not affect the building and probably discussed further with Northumbrian Water.
As site A has been selected as the preferred site potential contractors to be invited to have a site visit and subsequently design, quality, costings and timescale for the project.
Contractors to be given a budget price for the project ( £92K) to include in brief, for Approx. area of 30m x 20m , lighting, bow top fencing, with two access points, benches/ seating, and a hard footpath /road to site. No WiFi connection needed.
A defects liability clause to be part of the final contract , with a first year guarantee and a 10% retention fee withheld for one year.
Multiple designs to be submitted from contractors, for user involvement , which could be multi use, ie skate boards, scooters , bicycles , roller skates,etc.
It was agreed to give a budget figure for the development and prospective contractors to supply a design and timescale for completion, the final decision on the tender for the contract to be based on the design, quality and cost.
The extra cost for lighting, fencing, hard road and benches were not included in the original estimate , so it may be advisable depending on finance to phase these developments into another financial year.
The above recommendations to be discussed at the full council meeting to be held 12th June.
Following the June meeting a planning application to be submitted, giving an outline plan at this stage further details to be submitted when available, from the preferred contractor.
Firms to be contacted regarding a site visit : Playcrete & Bendcrete Leisure Ltd. Freestyle Skateparks
Canvas Skateparks & Public Spaces.
Post meeting; Concreate Skateparks added
Next working group meeting Wednesday 13th June 6.30 pm Town Hall.
WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF SKATE PARK WORKING GROUP
MEETING HELD
WEDNESDAY 13TH JUNE 2018
6.30 PM TOWN HALL, WOLSINGHAM
PRESENT: R. George ( Chair) , D. Sugden, Mrs. Y. Bell, J. Norman A. Vipond
Guy Rawlinson, Nick Barber
APOLOGIES : K. Tippins, Mrs. A. Savory
Minutes of meeting held 30th May were read and agreed as a true record.
There were now 4 prospective contractors, Freestyle, Canvass, Bendcrete, & Skateparkstuff
Essential details, needed on time limit for build 4 – 6 weeks , a site visit and an offer.
The response to the tender could be scored, ie local workforce , design , quality cost.
As the location of the skate park was in a conservation area, full planning details needed to be submitted.
An aboricultural impact assessment on the trees was necessary so that any trees close to the site would be protected from any building works/ digging etc.
HGD to contact All About Trees to conduct a site survey
The design would be based around age groups, lighting ( minimum spill), a minimum of two designs per contractor.( being careful not to accept any design liability) should be for multi use and for the younger element.
Guy R. to prepare a tender document, date of return , to highlight construction time , start and completion date
When brief and aboricultural survey to hand submit to prospective contractors, appoint contractor, have detailed design drawn up and submit planning application.
Next meeting 27th June
WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF SKATE PARK WORKING GROUP
HELD
WEDNESDAY 27TH JUNE 2018
6.30 PM TOWN HALL, WOLSINGHAM
Present: R. .George, J. Norman, A. Vipond, D. Sugden, Y. Bell,
Guy Rawlinson, Nick Barber
- APOLOGIES: A. Savory, Sam Palombella , K. Tippins
- MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 13TH JUNE agreed as a true record. With addition of score for use of local labour/ materials.
- DESIGN & BUILD BRIEF FOR CONSIDERATION presented by Guy Rawlinson,
Children & young people age range 10 plus Standard notice for skate parks to be displayed giving age range.
Budget £92k exclusive of VAT
Access and drainage
Construction traffic in relation to play park , park to be open , Risk Assessment to be undertaken, Method statement for closure and use.
Contract requirements , photographs of site before construction, for reinstatement evaluation
10% retention of contract price to be held for twelve months agreed.
A construction design management brief to be submitted.
Following construction an inspection by ROSPA.
To be included in submission, breakdown of costs, method statement, and at least 2 designs.
Evidence of Public Liability Insurance ,
Details of construction and play industry accreditations .
Added Value in quality scoring % for use of local labour/ materials.
The design & Build brief to be amended by Guy , noting the above points.
4 QUOTATION FOR TREE SURVEY ALL ABOUT TREES
Aboricultural Tree Constraints Assessment £420
Aboricultural Impact Assessment & Tree Protection Plan £180
Aboricultural Method Statement £80
Should trees have TPO then an additional £25 per copy would be charged.
The above quotations were accepted and to instruct All About Trees to commence with Aboricultural Tree Constraints Assessment soonest and to be returned by 11th July
When above survey to hand , together with Design & Build Brief with site plan to be submitted to prospective contractors: Also to include pre application advice from Local Authority
Bendcrete, Freestyle, Canvass, & Skateparkstuff
Tender Issued 13th July 2018
Tenders Returned 10th August 2018
Tenders evaluated 15th August 2018
Contractor appointed 22nd August 2018
Completion on site 7th April 2019
WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF SKATE PARK WORKING GROUP
HELD
WEDNESDAY 25TH JULY 2018
6.30 PM St. Anne’s Centre, WOLSINGHAM
PRESENT: J. Norman, A. Vipond, Y. Bell, Guy Rawlinson,
APOLOGIES: A. Savory, Sam Palombella , K. Tippins, R. George ( Late) D. Sugden
- MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 17TH JUNE agreed as a true record.
No meeting had been held on 11th July , so this meeting was convened to give an update.
Three potential contractors had responded by e mail and one other had made a telephone call.
Whereas two responders had been positive on the deadline, and timescales one was awaiting an invite to tender . Because of the apparent confusion it was decided to write to all contractors outlining the timescale expected.
If any questions were raised , which were not included in the draft then all contractors to be given the same information
A site meeting had been requested by Bendcrete for Friday 27th July , but as yet no time was given.
Next meeting Wednesday 15th August 6.30 pm at the Town Hall
WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF SKATE PARK WORKING GROUP
HELD
WEDNESDAY 15th August 2018
6.30 PM Town Hall,WOLSINGHAM
Present: R. George, J. Norman, A. Vipond , D. Sugden
Guy Rawlinson, Nick Barber
APOLOGIES: Mrs. Y. Bell, K. Tippins,
- MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 25TH July agreed as a true record.
- Three prospective contractors had submitted design and costings by the due date: Freestyle, Bendcrete & Concreate.
Freestyle cost without lighting £90000
Bendcrete cost without lighting £92000
Concreate cost without lighting £92000
The three contractors were given the same brief to design and install a skate park for a maximum budget cost of £92000.
The three submissions were looked at in detail and with some minor variations it was concluded that all contractors met the criteria, so it came down to design and the general consensus was that the preferred contractor be Concreate.
Their design/ version 1 to be the preferred design.
Nick Barber to discuss minor variations to design, with Concreate.
Clerk to inform Concreate they are the preferred contractor, subject to the above alterations to design, also on the understanding that the project will only go ahead providing funding is in place and secure and the planning application, (to be submitted by Concreate ) is approved.
Concreate to include the detail of lighting design in the planning application. The lighting to give a low “wash” , be LED, and directional.
Provision to be made , with ducting etc. for a power supply and lighting to be installed at a later date.
To gain maximum skate park for the budget sum allowed it was agreed that at this stage lighting would not be installed
A special council meeting would be convened for Tuesday 21st August 2018 @7.00pm at the Town Hall, to consider the recommendations
WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF SKATE PARK WORKING GROUP
HELD
MONDAY 17th September 2018
6.0 PM St. Anne’s Centre ,Wolsingham
PRESENT: R. George, J. Norman, A. Vipond , D. Sugden, K. Tippins, Mrs. Y. Bell
APOLOGIES: None
Concreate had recently submitted scaled drawings of the skate park and concern had been raised, that in some places the height was almost 2 metres , albeit the overall installation would be sunk to a depth of 300mm.
It was agreed to ask the contractor to lower the depth by another 500 mm, so that the overall view of the skate park would not look so obtrusive.
Also mentioned was that the highest point should be located to the west near the tree line.
No site location was yet to hand showing the setting of the skate park within the recreation area, this to be asked for with the amended drawings.
It was also agreed that a “ poppy” bench be purchased for siting in the recreation ground as a commemoration of the centenary of the ending of WW1
Cost would be £549 + delivery + fixings, 5% of the sales to go to Royal British Legion funds.
Another bench was also proposed for the Market Place , a brochure to be asked for to select an appropriate bench, which would fit in with the existing street furniture.
WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD
MONDAY 15TH APRIL 2019
5.00 PM Recreation Ground
PRESENT: J. Norman, A. Vipond, R. George, S. Palombella, Mrs. Y. Bell
D. Briggs , sun contractor for Concreate
Guy Rawlinson : Project Administrator Skate Park
Mrs. M. Bell , 19 West End
APOLOGIES: Mrs. A. Savory , D. Sugden
The site meeting had been arranged for the main contractor to mark out the proposed site of the skate park, but was unable to attend , as he was in the Isle Of Man . He had contacted David Briggs a local contractor to mark out the site. The plans , drawings submitted to Mr. Briggs were wrong so the clerk had given Mr.Briggs the agreed design to work from.
The first point to establish was the 50 m limit from Mr. Bell’s house, accordingly Mr. Briggs contacted Mrs. Bell to measure the distance from the house, which is why Mrs. Bell was in attendance.
The previous markings, especially the “ blue line” was still evident and so the limiting factor was ascertained and could be worked on. Various other measurements were taken to get the best fit, bearing in mind that a double tennis court had been mentioned for this location also.
Mr. Briggs agreed to “pin out “ the proposed site Wednesday 17th April. And it would then be up to the Parish Council to agree the site before work commences, which had been intimated at Monday 22nd April, but as this was Easter Monday the work , in all probability would not commence until the Tuesday.
Because of the lack of confidence that Concreate could deliver the project and other outstanding documentation required from Concreate , a signed contract, and access plans for the works, a contingency had been sought from another skate park builder, namely Freestyle, who had quoted for the work originally , but had not been chosen.
Mr. Elliott Hamilton , Freestyle Project Manager had written expressing his view on the chosen contractor, and if he could not deliver the project , then they, Freestyle could, and would have a team ready to start in 4 – 6 weeks , with a completion by the summer holidays.
With this in mind a strongly worded letter would be drafted ( J. Norman) outlining the dismay of the Parish Council to Concreate on lack of progress and documentation , giving a time limit, a signed contract to hand, start date and work schedule, with all required documentation to be supplied as requested, within a specified time limit. Failure to provide the requested information would lead to the termination of the contract.
Clerk to advise DCC , the grass cutting contractor, of the pegs in the ground for the location of the skate park.