AT the April meeting of Sandford Parish Council, six parents spoke during the Open Forum to address matters relating to the Play Area on the Sandford King George’s Field.

These issues included the future of the Play Area and what plans the Parish Council had to replace play equipment??At the same time they raised their concerns over current safety issues they felt needed to be addressed at the Play Area. It was felt there was a lack of equipment on the main play area and the area was not attractive.?The whole of the Play Area, prior to the construction of the Sports Pavilion, had been fenced off but at present there was no fencing on the Pavilion side.

The chairman advised that the Parish Council had already received one estimate to re-fence this side and the matter was still being discussed. It was agreed to pursue a suggestion to see whether short-term temporary fencing could be provided??There was discussion about why the new Sports Pavilion toilet facilities were not open for use by the public.

There was also disappointment that the pavilion was rarely open.

The chairman pointed out that the Pavilion was managed on behalf of the Parish Council by Sandford AFC. In the past the public toilets had been vandalised and there had been a problem to find a cleaner.?The chairman advised that the Parish Council presently had £6,000 funding towards the future refurbishment.

In addition £60,000 of Section 106 funding had been earmarked for new play equipment and enquiries would be made to establish possible sources of funding.

The clerk pointed out that the Sports Pavilion would be one year old in July 2018 and suggested that maybe a fundraising event could be arranged on this date.

The organisers of the Sandford Festival had also offered to make a contribution to the funding needed.?A representative from Sovereign Play was visiting on April 20, to come up with the first scheme and an estimate for a refurbishment.?Other suggestions for the play area had included the provision of a Skate Park, although a location would need to be identified.

The Parish Council were not in agreement to one suggestion, made by letter, to dismantle the Tennis Court for lack of use as a new committee had recently been formed and usage would no doubt increase. The provision of Adult Exercise Equipment was also suggested.?Following discussion with the parents present, and the Parish Council, it was agreed to pursue matters as a joint initiative between the council and parents’ and it was agreed interested parents could be co-opted to the Parish Council play area committee.?A suggestion was made to form a Self Help Working Party to meet and “tidy up” the play area in the short-term.?Victoria Albrighton acted as spokesperson for the Sandford Parents’ and agreed to act as future contact point between parents and the Parish Council.?Parish Comment Book - It was decided NOT to pursue a suggestion to place a Notice Board adjacent to the Allotments as this was private land.?Concerns had been expressed regarding safety issues surrounding skate boarding and the use of scooters on the highway. Since the meeting the Community Police had agreed to monitor this matter.?A Village Litter Pick was arranged for Saturday, May 12, meeting at the Sports Pavilion at 10am.

The Parish Council was unhappy with the proposed Mid Devon District Council “Any Bin will Do” for dog poo to go into general refuse bins. It was felt this would cause health issues.

The Parish Council was pleased that the current dog bins in the Parish would remain in use.

On the subject of dog bins a parishioner had written asking if the dog bin at the top of Rose and Crown Hill could be re-located, due to the problem of smell to neighbouring properties and this request had been forwarded to Mid Devon District Council.?The date of the next meeting of the council will be May 3, from 7.30pm, at Sandford Community Sports Pavilion.

MJV