SPECIAL MEETING OF MAIDEN NEWTON PARISH COUNCIL

July 16 2006 in the Skittle Alley of the Chalk & Cheese,

Maiden Newton

Meeting opened at 7.30pm. All councillors were present and 16 members of the public.

Apologies were received from Franz Atkinson, Lesley Eve and Sue Reeford, all with messages of support. Mr Atkinson said that Greenford School would welcome the MUGA, as the school field was badly drained and often unusable.

The Chairman said that meeting had been arranged to discuss the possible installation of a MUGA (Multi-use Games Area) on the playing field in Maiden Newton. This had not been on the agenda at the last Parish Council Meeting, so no decision had yet been made, and the present meeting had been called to gauge public opinion on the subject.

From the floor, Paul Valinski explained the situation. £50,000 had been offered by WDDC to Maiden Newton for a sports scheme. The MUGA had been chosen because it could cater for the broadest possible interests of the greatest number of people in the village. The various stages of application had been gone through, and the money offered. Mr Valinski urged the Council, who would be involved both financially and with the administration, to 'go with it'. He said that the various user groups had all nominated a representative to serve on the committee.

Chairman said that the football and possibly the rugby pitch would have to be moved to the north, but would still be available. The MUGA would be for all the community. It would be ideal for wheelchair tennis, and the Football Club would use it as a training pitch in winter. The Junior Football Club would use it when the ground became too wet for outdoor play. The Tennis Club, too, would be glad to use it as their grass courts are often water-logged. Mr Valinski added that at present the Youth Club has no outdoor facilities, not even for a basketball net. They can only play sport on the field, which is often too wet and cannot be used on winter evenings.

Cllr Patmore of WDDC said that it was a rare opportunity. The village would be given most of the funding. It was an offer which might never recur. Cllr Wood warned that there was a negative side. He said that the rugby pitch could not be fitted in, and he had doubts about whether the football pitch could be, either. Cll Watts also expressed concern about the future of the rugby pitch. It was pointed out, however, that - unlike all other interested parties - no representative of the rugby club was present.

There was some discussion about the best use of the rest of the field. Cllr Chaffey said that there was no provision for changing rooms. It was remarked that this was not a problem for the Football Club, and there was unlikely to be any rugby.

Further to the financing of the MUGA, Chairman said that if the offer was accepted, Barclays Bank would donate another £20,000 over three years, and more money would follow from this. Mr Valinski said it was possible that at some future date it would be necessary for the Parish Council to charge users, but not at the start. They had chosen a low-maintenance scheme, with tarmac. This should last for 7 - 10 years. Floodlighting could be added later, if necessary. Mr Valinski added that the MUGA had been paced out and there was a dead area at the top of the field so the football pitch could be moved up. The Club at the moment had the use of a field in Cattistock, but if they wished they could come back. Cllr Patmore noted that some rugby teams do play on MUGAs.

Cllr Mrs Johns had been to see the MUGA at Somerton, which she said was very successful. She said that the scheme would benefit the school as well as the village. Cllr Bryant objected that there had been no firm specification or quote. Chairman produced the quotation, which she said had been circulated. Mr Valinski said that the Groundwork Trust were handling the application. He assured Cllr Bryant that this was at no cost to the Parish Council. The estimate was £48,000, and WDDC had provided a cushion of £5,000.

At 8pm, Chairman formally convened the Parish Council meeting. She proposed that the MUGA should go ahead. Seconded Cllr Mrs Johns.

Three for, one against and two abstentions. The proposal was passed.

Meeting closed at 8.05pm.