BOVEY Tracey Town Council has confirmed its determination to improve community facilities in Heathfield by setting aside sufficient reserves to deliver a £60,000 children’s play park.
The authority is also continuing to hold talks with Teignbridge District Council about taking ownership of the existing park in Prince Rupert Way where the better equipment would be installed.
The renewed commitment was expressed by members of the Finance, Resources and General Purposes Committee (FRGP) when they met at The Riverside Centre.
Town Clerk Mark Wells talked through the council’s Capital Investment Programme, in which the play park scheme had been listed.
The meeting heard that although the Prince Rupert Way site had yet to be acquired, in a bid to save time, contractors had already been approached and had come up with a scheme costing £36,000.
But a second more ambitious project costing an estimated £60,000 had also been tabled and it was that which found favour with members.
A report from Ward Member Cllr Lisa Robillard-Webb which backed the enhanced proposal was shared with them. It read: ‘Heathfield does not have easily accessible pedestrian access to the wider facilities that BTTC has invested in for Bovey Tracey.
‘A good quality play park will offer local children the opportunity to play, rest and get fresh
air in a well thought out, safe, fun and welcoming space.’
Mayor Cllr Sheila Brooke, serving as Vice Chair of FRGP, welcomed her colleague’s recommendation and said: ‘It’s vital that we improve the quality of services in Heathfield as matter of urgency and I’m all in favour of the better scheme. I wouldn’t even mind if it ended up costing slightly more than that once the formal tenders are in, although we’ll ensure that council tax payers receive the best possible value for money.’
Mr Wells stated that Section 106 cash from developers would add more than £26,000 to the pot with the Town Council left to find the remaining £34,000.
Members voted unanimously in favour.
The meeting also discussed the ongoing attempts to provide better youth services for Heathfield, although members learned that a shortage of trained workers was a challenge they had yet to overcome.
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