Report of Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) to follow

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) concerning the removal of the post and rail at Southchurch Park Lake which had been referred back to the Cabinet by the Place Scrutiny Committee held on 30 January 2023.

Resolved:

That the replacement of the post and rail at Southchurch Park to the eastern section at a cost of £25,000 to be funded by Community Infrastructure Levy (£10,000), and £15,000 from the General Fund Revenue budget, be approved.

Reasons for decision:

To fund the replacement of the post and rail at Southchurch Park at a cost of £25,000.

Other options:

None

Note: This is an Executive Function

Not eligible for call-in as the matter has previously been the subject of call-in.

Cabinet Member: Cllr Mulroney

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) concerning the removal of the post and rail at Southchurch Park Lake which had been referred back to the Cabinet by the Place Scrutiny Committee held on 30 January 2023.

Resolved:

That the replacement of the post and rail at Southchurch Park to the eastern section at a cost of £25,000 to be funded by Community Infrastructure Levy (£10,000), and £15,000 from the General Fund Revenue budget, be approved.

Reasons for decision:

To fund the replacement of the post and rail at Southchurch Park at a cost of £25,000.

Other options:

None

Note: This is an Executive Function

Not eligible for call-in as the matter has previously been the subject of call-in.

Cabinet Member: Cllr Mulroney

Minute No. 624 (Cabinet Book 5, Agenda Item No. 17 refers)

Called-in by Councillors Cox and Davidson

The Committee considered Minute No, 624 of Cabinet held on 12^th January 2023, which had been called-in to scrutiny, together with the report of Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) seeking approval to replace small sections of the shin rail around the eastern section of the lake in Southchurch Park based on an agreed risk assessment.

The Committee discussed the matter in some detail and asked a number of questions that were responded to by the Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture & Planning and the Council’s Head of Parks and Open Spaces.

In response to questions regarding the breakdown of the cost of replacing the fencing in terms of the labour and material costs, the Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Tourism undertook to circulate the details after the meeting.

In response to questions regarding the possibility of allocating £15,000 capital funding to the scheme, the Cabinet Member undertook to speak with the Executive Director (Finance & Resources) on this matter.

Resolved:-

That the matter be referred back to Cabinet for reconsideration to enable discussions between the Cabinet Member and the Executive Director (Finance & Resources) to take place on the possibility of allocating capital funding to enable the fencing to be installed around the lake.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member: Cllr Mulroney

Report of Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment)

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) seeking approval to replace small sections of the shin rail around the eastern section of the lake in Southchurch Park based on an agreed risk assessment.

Resolved:

1. That the replacement of small sections of shin rail, with appropriate signage introduced, as identified from a risk assessment of areas of higher risk (e.g duck feeding station and end of path junctions on the eastern section), be approved.

2, That it be noted that the western section of the lake does not have a shin rail and is used by the local model boating club.

Reasons for Decision:

The shin rail fence had reached the end of its useful life and research has shown that elsewhere, in similar circumstances, such barriers are no longer deemed essential.

Other Options

1. Replace the entire eastern section with a new shin rail fence at a cost of   approximately £25,000

2. Leave the entire eastern section open. This is however, not recommended, based on the attached risk assessment.

3. To use £10,000 of CIL money for the lake to be wholly fenced (as indicated by Ward Councillors).

Note: This is an Executive Function

Eligible for call-in to: Place Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet Member: Cllr Mulroney

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) seeking approval to replace small sections of the shin rail around the eastern section of the lake in Southchurch Park based on an agreed risk assessment.

Resolved:

1. That the replacement of small sections of shin rail, with appropriate signage introduced, as identified from a risk assessment of areas of higher risk (e.g duck feeding station and end of path junctions on the eastern section), be approved.

2, That it be noted that the western section of the lake does not have a shin rail and is used by the local model boating club.

Reasons for Decision:

The shin rail fence had reached the end of its useful life and research has shown that elsewhere, in similar circumstances, such barriers are no longer deemed essential.

Other Options

1. Replace the entire eastern section with a new shin rail fence at a cost of   approximately £25,000

2. Leave the entire eastern section open. This is however, not recommended, based on the attached risk assessment.

3. To use £10,000 of CIL money for the lake to be wholly fenced (as indicated by Ward Councillors).

Note: This is an Executive Function

Called-in to: Place Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet Member: Cllr Mulroney