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Crowland leaders disagree over new play equipment for Snowden Field




Plans to install new play equipment on Crowland's Snowden Field will go ahead, despite opposition from the parish council's chairman.

During a virtual meeting on Monday, councillors voted six-one, with one abstention, to go ahead with buying nine new pieces of equipment, including swings, slides and activity panels for the toddlers' play area, off Thorney Road.

Funding for the plans will come from developers' contributions as part of new homes built in Crowland and work to install the play equipment is due to start next February.

Parish councillors David Ringham (centre) and chairman David Kempton (right), with Jon Boor, disagreed over plans to install new play equipment on Crowland's Snowden Field. Photo: 180517-28
Parish councillors David Ringham (centre) and chairman David Kempton (right), with Jon Boor, disagreed over plans to install new play equipment on Crowland's Snowden Field. Photo: 180517-28

But Coun David Kempton, who voted against the plans, said: "Having examined the play equipment, I don't feel they're suitable for the area we're putting them in.

"It's not the principle of it and it's not the suppliers, it's the suitability of the equipment in that location."

Similar concerns were raised by the vice chairman, parish and district councillor Bryan Alcock, who abstained after saying that he was "not completely satisfied" about where the play equipment would go.

Plans for makeover of leisure sites in Crowland

But speaking on Tuesday, amenities committee chairman Coun David Ringham said: "I think it's right for us as the play equipment is for a toddlers' play area and I'm sure the kids will get a lot of fun out of it.

"I'm very happy that we've got to this stage because I showed our plans to several parents who said, 'When is the play equipment going in?'

"My idea is that they will be open in the spring, but I don't think you'll see a spade in the ground until February 2021."

. Santa sleigh run showed a 'community in action', says town leader

Firefighters and volunteers from Crowland Cares pause during their Santa run through the town. Photo supplied.
Firefighters and volunteers from Crowland Cares pause during their Santa run through the town. Photo supplied.

The successful staging of Crowland's annual Santa sleigh run, with help from a town business and parish councillors, has been described as a " community in action".

Staff from Crowland Cranes stepped in to organise the event over two nights, on Sunday and Monday, allowing families to wave at Santa and his helpers from their doorsteps.

The festive event was in doubt after firefighters in the town were told that they could not put on the run themselves due to COVID-19 restrictions.

But after taking advice from the parish council's safety and security committee, a team from Crowland Cranes stood in for the firefighters as the sleigh run passed through residential areas in the town.

Peter Issitt, owner and managing director of Crowland Cranes, said: "The firefighters normally do the Santa sleigh run themselves, but the fire service couldn't participate this year because the last thing they needed was for their crews to get infected.

"We were asked by volunteers in the town if we could help out and because it was a community thing, some of our people did it over the two nights.

"I was pretty impressed to see all the children at the window as the sleigh run went round the town and it was great to see everybody in good spirits."

The success of the event was brought up during Monday's parish council meeting and chairman Coun David Kempton said: "I was approached by the lead fire officer in Crowland who said they weren't allowed to the Santa sleigh run.

"Peter Issitt then approached the fire station and said if Crowland Cranes could borrow the sleigh, they would have a vehicle, the volunteers and insurance to cover it.

"We were pleased to be able to give them a little help, the event turned out well and it showed the Crowland community in action."

. First trustees appointed to run fitness and wellbeing centre

Trustees are being lined up to run a fitness and wellbeing centre on the same site as Crowland’s South View Community Primary School.

Parish councillors were told that three members of an eight-strong management trust to oversee the day-to-day running of the centre, off Postland Road, had been identified.

A “draft governing document” has also been drawn up, setting out the trustees’ responsibilities in managing the centre as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, or non-profit making body.

Coun Bryan Alcock said: "There are a lot of responsibilities that will be put on the trustees, but you wouldn't become a trustee if you didn't understand that you would have to deliver all the responsibilities.

. 'Desperate need' for repairs to sports pavilion

Repairs to a sports pavilion on Crowland’s Snowden Playing Field has become a “desperate need”, members have been told.

A list of works to be carried out on the building, used by sports clubs in the town, has been requested after concerns were raised about a leaking roof.

Coun David Kempton said: “The pavilion is in desperate need of some maintenance and I’d like to see a programme of essential works done to get an idea of the things that would reduce or stop its deterioration.”

. More time to agree deal for old allotments' site

Talks with potential developers of Crowland’s former allotments site in James Road are progressing, but more time is needed to conclude any deals.

Vice chairman Coun Bryan Alcock asked members to extend the deadline for contracts to be signed, allowing the land to be used for new housing, until the end of February 2021.

He said: "It's progressing but we're at a point where we need to ask the council to agree to an extension of the contract completion date to February 2021."

. Arrangements to live stream meetings are confirmed

Parish council meetings will continue to be shown on social media after arrangements were confirmed on Monday.

Some members had questioned whether the proper process had been followed in voting for live streaming to go on.

But it was agreed that all virtual meetings where decisions are made would be open to public viewing.



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