Playing Field Minutes November 17
th
2022

Present. Chair Councillor Woodcock
Council Miller, Councillor Roberts, Councillor Elmer, councillor Hockley.

Welcome and Apologises.
Councillor Rothwell, Councillor Cathcart, Councillor Mills.
Declaration of Interests.
None.
Minutes of August 25
th

Approved.
Matters Arising.
Chairman confirmed the new ROSPA inspection report imminent.
Budget 2023/24
The chairman pointed out that there are approximately £12,000 in this year’s budget that is
currently ‘in the pipeline’.
The committee agreed to slightly reduce the previous 2022/23 budget in the Playing fields sections
and allow new Gandish road playground equipment in the 2023/4 budget.
A further addition is a Petanque court to be built in the East End playing field by the Community,
with materials paid for by the PC.

The Sports Council has not yet used all their 2022/23 finances as at the date of the meeting, and it
was decided that any expenditure required in 2023/34 could come out of reserves.
One new addition was to install and low ‘catchment fence (50cm?)’ to prevent cricket balls being lost
during games.
The overall budget was agreed at a total of £24,950, a reduction of £4,618 (15%) from 2022/23.

Playground maintenance.
The chairman reported that when the new ROSPA report is received, some remedial work will be
required. If there is some Wicksteed equipment to be repaired, the 10 year guarantee should apply
as the playground was re equipped in 2015.

The budget for next year allows a children’s trim trail to be installed by Kompan.

The chairman reported that Kompan hope to install the new Spica (twister) before Christmas.
A grant application has been submitted to Babergh, which may net approx. £1000.

Sports Council News.
The chairman reported that the utilities bill from British Gas has increased from £250 per month to
£1750 per month.
The sports council were looking at savings and a means of isolating a reading for the tennis floodlight
usage. The Sports council agreed to pay the charges until January 2023 whist remedies and
alternatives were explored.
It was also decided that if the sports pavilion and the future of games were jeopardised by the new
Utility tariffs, an emergency payment might be taken from this year’s pavilion budget of £4k.
The sports council are liaising with the Constable Hall to see if a joint project is possible.
The problem of dog fouling in the sports field, and it was a greed the Chairman would write an item
in the Parish magazine explaining the possibility of dogs being kept on leads, or banned entirely from
the sports areas. More signage would also convey this message.
Broom Knoll Community news.
The chairman reported the community group had organised another successful Firework display
again this year.
The committee also agreed that fencing around the play equipment perimeter should proceed, to
increase children’s safety and exclude dog walkers. C&W Fencing have quoted £2,650 to carry out
the work.
The Broom Knoll committee also asked if a Boules Court could be built, which would benefit families
playing, neighbourhood bonding, and perhaps matches against other local teams. The playing field
committee agreed to include £2k in the budget for next year.
Urgent Communications.
None.

The meeting closed at 8.15pm and the next meeting was proposed for January 19
th
2023.