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Contractors will be starting work on the Bleadon playground today, Tuesday 15 November at 8am, to “install the new adventure trail”
SUMMARY DEC22: BPC received a grant from NSC but no amount was minuted for £4,987.50 until Dec 22 Min 358.7.5) no contract or conditions were published, intallation quotation was £9,975 (Oct 22 Min 356.7.5) given to Homefront noted in expenses (Nov 22 Min 357.8.113)
UPDATE 19NOV22: The contractors worked hard through the rain to complete the work in three days.
Questions have subsequently arisen as to whether BPC considered its ‘Plastic Free Bleadon’ resolution and its ‘Environmental Policy’when it chose to install plastic matting, rather than bark chippings as have been used in the rest of the playground?
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The parish council anticipates “it taking 3 days to complete, and disruption will be kept to a minimum. The playground will remain open for visitors to use the areas where no work is taking place”.
What the ‘adventure trail’ will look like remains a mystery as the parish council hasn't officially released exactly what is being done – nor has it published its Invitation to Tender/Specification; nor its ‘Playground Questionnaire/Survey' or related responses; nor has it recorded how much the grant agreement with North Somerset is for, or how it intends to match fund this grant as its not in this year’s budget?
More transparent financial and related accountability information is needed from BPC as the Bleadon Playground Charity Trustees, to assist residents understanding of what is being undertaken on their behalf.
A recording of the decision making for the two October Playground agenda items can be found here.
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Last month BPC resolved to "formally sign North Somerset’s Project Grant Agreement in respect to the Improving Play Spaces Fund”. However, BPC hasn’t recorded how much the grant was for or how it intends to match fund it. (Oct 22 Min 356.7.4 (This was part of the reason why one councillor voted against signing at this stage, and another abstained, though unminuted).
Councillors have previously discussed but not recorded using the following for grant fund matching:
- the remaining Neighbourhood Development Plan grant money (stated to be £3,121 in the amended AGAR information. BPC do not publish its Reserve amounts in the monthly minutes, only after the year has ended?). Q2 financial report states £135 has been spent (presumably on its separate NDP website) The October minutes indicate that the Grant Funder has asked for the money back instead? (Oct Min 356.4.13).
- the CIL money received via the Toll Road house build last year, which according to Q2 financial report is for £2,387.
- the Playground money – The AGAR Amended Reserve information stated £2K. The Q2 report states that there is no Playground Special Project budget or EMR and that £1,528 has already been spent. There is also a £750 equipment budget • So where is the grant fund match money coming from, and how much is required in total?
Last month BPC also resolved to “accept Cllrs Garrett & Williams recommendation as to the proposed installing company” for £9,975 exclusive of VAT, but BPC did not record who was awarded the contract? (Oct 22 Min 356.7.5) Again two councillors abstained due to a lack of information, but this was not recorded in the minutes. Is this the total amount required for the project i.e. £10K? Is the grant and match funding therefore £5K and if so, where is this officially recorded?
Previous Park Alterations
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See also:
NOTES FROM BPC MINUTES
Feb 2022
(Public section) "District Councillors T Porter & M Solomon. They took a number of questions relating to the ongoing speed reduction works on the A370. The Chairman expressed her pleasure in noting after 18 months’ work had started on the collapsed rhyne bank. Councillor Solomon indicated that he was hopeful in securing match funding for villages like Bleadon where inclusive play area equipment could be funded. Time however was of the essence as the window for such funding was closing on the 31st March 2022"
March, April & May – no comments
Jun 2022 (Min 354.7.5) "To Resolve to apply for match funding from North Somerset’s “Improving Play Spaces Fund”. Resolved to seek match funding from North Somerset’s “Improving Play Spaces Funds” at a level that current ERMs could be made available"
July 2022 (NB No projector used in the meeting for the public to understand what was being discussed)
(Min 355.4.14) "NS Improving Play Spaces Match Funding Cllrs. S. Garrett & G Williams confirmed that they had completed the match funding grant application in due time with North Somerset."
(Min 355.9.e) "Play Area Cllrs. Sara Garrett and Gill Williams advised the meeting of the equipment they were hoping to secure through the NS match funding and potential location in the Play Area."
August & Sept 2022 – no comment
October 2022
(Min 356.7.4) "To resolve to formally sign North Somerset’s Project Grant Agreement in respect to the Improving Play Spaces Fund. Following some discussion, it was agreed: To formally sign North Somerset’s Project Grant Agreement in respect to the Improving Play Spaces Fund. Cllr. Mrs I D Clarke voting against"
(Min 356.7.5). To resolve to accept Cllrs Garrett & Williams recommendation as to the proposed installing company. All quotes exclusive of VAT Quote A £9,992.86 B £9.975.00* C £9,249.84 Resolved to accept Quotation B as recommended by Cllrs Garrett and Williams"
November 2022
(Agenda 357.8) "Financial 1. To note the payments for the months of July August & September ... (113) Home Front Play Area - 50% Deposit £4,987.50 and £997.50"
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