utkintonandcotebrook.com€¦  · Web viewAn Email Trail covering Correspondence between: Utkinton and Cotebrook Parish Council. Chester Diocese. Tarporley Church. Utkinton St Paul’s

An Email Trail covering Correspondence between:Utkinton and Cotebrook Parish Council

Chester DioceseTarporley Church

Utkinton St Paul’s CofE primary Schoolthe PTA of the School

Cheshire West and Chester CouncilAntoinette Sandbach

and others

Related to

Proposals for a Childrens’ Play GroundQuarry bank

Utkinton

This email trail has been taken from archives of Francis Tunney (currently Chair of Utkinton and Cotebrook Parish Council.

It contains emails and extracts of emails between several parties and covers a period between January 2012 through to the current date. Wherever possible only relevant details and content have been used.

The rationale for this trail is to demonstrate how the Parish Council has attempted to act as a catalyst to creating this facility on behalf of the Parish and some of the hurdles and obstacles that it has overcome in trying to deliver a facility that it is mandated to do under the current Parish Plan (2013).

It hopes that the trail will demonstrate how it has attempted to work with all parties to bring this to fruition.

Francis TunneyChair – Utkinton and Cotebrook Parish Councilhttp://www.utkintonandcotebrook.comFT07860 917446

17 June 2016

From: [email protected] January 2012 08:00

I know when Ann Barnett was HT we tried to get out of hours village use for either the Playing Field opp. school or the playground but it was a no go area because of the insurance.

Maggie

----Original Message----

From: FTDate: 24/01/2012 14:14

To: "Graham & Maggie Stewart"<[email protected]>Subj: Fwd: Rural Grant Funding

Thought you ought to see this.F

Begin forwarded message:

From: "COMERIE, Jo" <[email protected]>Date: 24 January 2012 14:11:34 GMT

Subject: Rural Grant Funding

p.s. My suggestion is a play space for the children. Maybe a partnership approach between the school, Parish Council and CWaC to improve the school playing field and incorporate some play equipment (maybe similar to that at Tarporley School so that the school can use it in school time and local residents can use it after school hours?????

I can get some finger in the air costings from schemes in other areas if it's something the Parish Council want to consider.

Senior Project OfficerRegeneration DivisionCheshire West and Chester Council

From: Clerk to Utkinton and Cotebrook Parish Council

Judith Grant & Parish Council

Email Regarding Play Area

Dear Judith

Thank you for your email of 2nd November 2012 which the Parish Council discussed at their meeting on 13th November. Your comments were noted with interest during the discussion. As you maybe aware, the recent household survey did flag up that many residents wished for more recreation space within the village. However, there will be further consultation with residents before any firm decisions are taken.

Alex StubbsClerk to Utkinton and Cotebrook Parish Council

From: Margaret Stewart

To: Parish Council

6 August 2013

PC Meeting Thursday 8th August - Utkinton Village Hall

(Relating to application to develop Northgate field)•• The village is severely lacking amenities (playground for example) have you any plans to accommodate this and improve such amenities?•Frank

On 6 Aug 2013To UPC

Graham Stewart wrote:Hi Everyone - No doubt each of you may have questions you wish to put to Mr Rutherford …

Chair,Utkinton Parish Council

----- Original Message -----From: Michael Rutherford To:UPC Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2013Subject: Re: Affordable housing meeting with Utkinton Parish Council

Dear Utkinton Parish Council Thank you very much for meeting with me on the 8th August. I appreciate that you held an extraordinary pc meeting to dicuss this project, and was grateful that you made me feel welcome. We would like to hold a public consultation in the village hall one weekday evening in September. I will get in touch with some suggested dates in due course. We would have representations from the housing association Plus Dane, who will be able to talk about the tenures of the proposed homes, and give full details on rents and prices for any shared ownership properties that may be built. There would also be representations from MCI Developments and their planning consultants to answer technical questions. … There were many questions asked at the meeting on the 8th August. I will briefly answer them, where possible: …• MCI Developments would be prepared to make a contribution to playground

facilities (or similar) in lieu of a Section 106 Agreement. We would need to agree this with yourselves prior to submitting a planning application, and have it sanctioned by CWAC. The Option Agreement that we have with the landowner does not allow us to purchase land for any other purposes than for an affordable housing development, so unfortunately, we cannot accommodate a new playground as part of the proposed development. I may be able to help you find an alternative location, but I cannot guarantee this. To be discussed?

Best regards. Michael Rutherford Arcadian Estates (NorthWest) LtdUnit 2 Chaseley FarmOver PeoverKnutsfordCheshireWA16 9HL

From karen.l.plattTo: Parish Council21 August 2013

Hi Frank,

Like you, I agree that it is good that our questions have been answered however I find some of the answers very concerning. I agree that a major issue is that we face a 'fait acomplis' on this so it is important that we have a strategy - especially since one of the point that has been made by those outside the Parish Council is that we need to be prepared for this eventuality to occur - which it now has. May I use this opportunity to raise my concerns as per the reply below?• We are not going to get a play area out of this, just more 106 money but nowhere

to spend it (this will not go down well in the village)

Regards,

Karen.

From: FT

To KP

21 August 2013

Re Affordable Housing meeting with UPC

Thanks Karen,

On the basis that this may happen, I wonder whether there is any mileage in discussing the issue of a playground area with either/both the owner and developer as I read the 106 comment differently. I really don't want this area developed but if a more aggressive developer stepped in, we might be left high and dry with nowhere to go.

From: FT

To: UPC

23 August 2013

Affordable Housing Meeting with UPC

OK, for me its about a few things:

The use for the rest of the land?Does this qualify for 106 monies? In either case the village is in need of recreation facilities for young and old alike, will CWAC press for this to be included?Footpath access to the store and bus stops.Who will qualify and how will we know that they really do qualify?At what point will the development be seen as unviable and when that occurs, what will CWAC's position be?

FT

From: FT

To Judith Grant

Attached discussion Document

6 April 2014

Thank you again Judith,

The option of utilising a part of the playing field has been discussed many times and we, as the PC, are looking at whether we can put a children’s playground on it as well as some hard standing for teachers’ parking. It is not our intention to let it go. The point raised by some respondents is that it is rarely used today and the same goes for the all weather facility at the back of the Village Hall - intended as a tennis court but very under utilised.

From FT

To: UPC

11 May 2014

Proposed Northgate Development

Other areas for consideration have to be:Services in Tarporley are already stretched - doctors, dentists, schools and parkingUtkinton school, whilst current under 'roll' has limited capacityThis development will add c. 7% to the housing stock of UtkintonPlayground and recreation facilities dependent on the mix of families

Areas of potential benefit could be (tenuous I know):Extra custom for the Rose Farm tradersSchool roll - securing the future

From Karen Platt

To UPC

11 may 2014

Proposed Northgate Development

… My thoughts are we should object as much as possible but also point out if it goes ahead there should be a good sized children's play area on the site and a high proportion of starter homes and bungalows.

From: Karen Platt

To FT

2 Sept. 2015

Play Equipment

Hi Frank

At the last meeting you asked us to have a think about a piece of play equipment that we think may be a good idea for behind the village hall.

I suggest something like (but not necessarily): http://www.climbingframesuk.com/climbing-frames/wake-climbing-frame/

Reason:

1) Swings scare me - children fall off them and get hit by other children swinging on them. Children also don't get any exercise or really learn anything doing it and they need their parents to use them. Plus arguments about how long each child has been on it,2) Children get exercise going up and down and around something like this, they can take turns and they can play with it imaginatively, making dens etc. They can also play independently of their parent, thus gaining confidence. It can also be used by a group of children playing together,

Hope that this helps,

Thanks,

Karen.

From: Karen Platt

To FT

1 October 2015

Conversation with Lorna (Head Teacher – St Paul’s CofE School)

Hi Frank,

Had a really interesting chat to Lorna, the school headmistress today following our tour of the school. She is very anxious that we should go forward with the plan to make better use of the school field and asked me what the hold up had been. I told her that we had firstly been trying to establish who we needed to approach about the field and then had to wait until the new vicar in Tarporley was in situ. She is very keen that this should be used better although some of this may be due to the fact that they have also had a problem recently with some new plastic goal posts that they had put on the field being damaged and litter being left about. To try and solve the problem they had put a bin on the field but this had been knocked over and the contents scattered. Hence I don't think her desire is completely altruistic but I do think that it is worth taking this forward. She mentioned that she has the paperwork at the moment that confirms who owns the land. She suggested that the change of ownership of the house next to the field will have removed our biggest obstacle,

She also mentioned that a family with 3 children that had moved to a house around BigField Lane is leaving the village. She implied that this was because of lack of facilities such as play areas. I told her that from our experience it was usually more to do with the lack of public transport infrastructure. Lorna seemed surprised to learn that their was no bus service to the village,

FYI she was very excited about the extension to the school and didn't mention the parking spaces being shelved.

I mentioned about asking the parents to fill in a questionnaire about play areas in the village and she was willing to help ( I have drafted the questionnaire) but I am not sure if it is relevant any more. What I will do is write a short resume of the current state of play,

Regards,

Karen.

From: Karen Platt

To: FT

1 October 2015

Conversation with Lorna

Think that it would be a good idea for you to have a conversation with Lorna. I have been writing the brief about the play area which has freshened my recollection is that we weren't sure who owned the land and wanted to make sure that if we put equipment on the field that, at some point in the future, we wouldn't be lumbered with a massive bill for the upkeep of the whole field or some such liability. I think that finding out about the ownership from Lorna would be a step in the right direction, and then we will need to pursue discussions with the owner (didn't we think it was Chester Diocese hence we were waiting for the new vicar in Tarporley to get settled?),

Great news about the area behind the village hall. I will try to finish this brief this weekend so I can pass it to you to add in any bits of information about this area,

Thanks,

Karen.

From Karen Platt

To: FT

6 October 2015

Play equipment

Hi Frank,

I have attached the short briefing note that I have constructed about play areas. It contains links to web sites of interest. I will also forward you another email with some correspondence with a play equipment company about costs,

My thoughts at the moment are that we should try to proceed with the toddler area behind the Village Hall if we can come to an agreement with the Sports Club so that the area would be open to all the village. The cost would be around £5000 however we could bid for funding from WREN that, if my understanding is correct, would cover 90% of the costs,

The costs to put equipment on the school field would be similar ( if we went for the HPA equipment we could make it as much or as little as we wanted and maybe put it in in stages) however we could not bid for WREN funding because the field is a school field so we would need an alternative funding stream or streams - maybe talk to the school or see if Evleigh would contribute and we would put something towards it, or see if the school is aware of a funding stream that we could put a joint bid into. Alternatively we could try and find an alternative site in the village - I have never been to the Quarry - could that area be of use?

Please feel free to edit the document to ass in any further information that you have or your thoughts,

Hope that this is of use,

Regards,

Karen.

Play equipment for Utkinton

Problem: No designated children’s play area in Utkinton with appropriate play equipment.

The school field is used by some children outside school hours as a play area and there is a tennis court behind Utkinton Village Hall available, but only to members.

As a result, some children play in the road. This is not entirely acceptable.

Solution: There are a number of pieces of land where play equipment could be sited

1) The school field. This is currently used by children outside school hours with the schools agreement. The school is happy for this to happen and for us to put equipment on the land.

2) The tennis courts. Membership is low at the moment so passing the area over to the PC may be an option, at which point some small play equipment for smaller children may be able to be added to the area.

3) The field next to Rose Farm Shop. The owner has recently tried to sell the land for building and may be willing to come to an arrangement however has been reticent about talking to the PC and would probably be unwilling to donate the land,

4) Land above the school that forms its playground. There is some play equipment and a hardcourt football pitch here however it is approached via a locked gate and I would suggest that for security and child protection reasons the school would be unwilling to open this equipment up outside school hours.

5) Other small pockets of land around the village (e.g. could something be put at the Quarry?)

Next Steps:

Suggest that we concentrate on the most promising options:

1) The school field (probably a better area for older (7+) children)

Ascertain for certain who owns the land. This can be done easily at the moment because the headmistress has the relevant paperwork,

Come to an agreement with the school about how much of the land they would be willing for us to put play equipment on,

Draw up a legal agreement with the land owner defining our future liabilities

Play equipment (such as a selection of http://www.hags-smp.co.uk/products/play/trail-play/eco-timber-trail-play/sloping-balance-walk-pd3000-20/ ) would be around £2,500 plus fitting (cost unknown) and safety surface (£22 per meter by 1.5meter http://www.technix-rubber.com/safety-surfacing/grass-mats)

Alternative funding source would be required because WREN funding is unavailable for school land

May be worth approaching the headmistress to see if she is aware of any funding routes,

2) The area behind the village hall (probably an area for smaller (toddler and infant age) children),

Come to an agreement with the Sports Club – WREN funding (90% of costs) is available if the equipment open to the public (http://www.wren.org.uk/apply/wren-grant-scheme),

Broach the topic with neighbours,

Costs in the region of £2,000 to £3,500 for one piece of equipment plus £500 to £893 fitting, plus safety surface (between £817 and £1118 if equipment is going to be put on a grass surface) (and http://www.hags-smp.co.uk/products/play/early-years/timber-multiplay-units/)

Need to prove for WREN funding that the community wants the equipment,

Other points of interest:

WREN funding cannot be used to purchase land,

The next round of applications for WREN funding opens mid-October,

From: Karen Platt

To FT

6 October 2015

Re Price Request for Tothill plus …

Hi Frank,

Please see quote for safe surface and play equipment further down the email chain,

Regards,

Karen.----Original message----From : Paul McLellan at PlaydaleDate : 06/10/2015To : Karen Platt Subject : RE: Price Request for Tothill Plus, Eccup Plus and Playframe

Hi Karen, Many thanks for your reply, if the units are going onto a grassed area we would recommend the Grasslock Tiles (rubber tiles with small holes where the grass can grow through) , the indicative costs ,subject to a site survey , for each of these units are: Tothill: 19 sq mtrs x £43 = £817Eccup: 26 sq mtrs x £43 = £1,118Playframe: 67 sq mtrs x £37 = £2,479 You could possibly use just a ‘wear and tear’ amount of Grasslok around the main entry/exit points of the Tothill or Eccup (6 sq mtrs x 43 = £258) , you would require the full sq mtrs for the Playframe due to the free height of fall being 2.5 mtrs. I hope the above helps.

Best regards Paul McLellanSales CoordinatorPlaydale Playgrounds Ltd From: Karen Platt Sent: 05 October 2015To: Paul McLellanSubject: Re: Price Request for Tothill Plus, Eccup Plus and Playframe

Hi Paul, Many thanks for this information. As of yet we are still at an early stage of assessing the viability of this scheme. As you can imagine much of this will depend on cost and funding routes available to us as well as the competing merits of other capital schemes, Would it be possible for you to give me a rough estimation of the cost of safety surfacing for the toddler play equipment that I can report back to our next Parish Council meeting? We would only need enough for one piece of equipment I should imagine. We perfectly understand that the price could alter when you see the site, Many thanks for your help, Karen.----Original message----

From : [email protected] : 05/10/2015 - 10:27 (GMTDT)To : [email protected] : Price Request for Tothill Plus, Eccup Plus and PlayframeDear Karen,Thank you for your enquiry please find the prices below:

Tothill Plus (Plastic Slide)Unit Cost:

£1,999Delivery &

Installation: £500

Tothill Plus (SS Slide) 2,579 645

Eccup Plus (Plastic Slide) 3,109 777

Eccup Plus (SS Slide) 3,572 893

PLAYFRAME(STEEL CORED ROPE) 2,745 1,043

PLAYFRAME-TYRE TRAVERSE(STEEL CORE ROPE) 2,845 1,053The above prices do not include vat or any safety surfacing if required. Any delivery and installation cost given is subject to a full site survey (a site survey is free of charge).If you would like me to put together a full written quotation or would like me to arrange a site visit ( if you would like us to install the unit and quote for any safety surfacing) please let me know and I will be able to arrange this for you.I look forward to hearing from youBest regards Paul MclellanSales Co-ordinatorPlaydale Playgrounds Ltd

Tel: +44 (0)15395 39744 | Fax: +44 (0)15395 31539

From: FT

To Kirsty Gill (Chester Diocese)

12 October 2015

Good Afternoon Kirsty,

Thank you for taking my call. As I explained, the Parish Council has a number of objectives in terms of the two villages of Cotebrook and Utkinton, one of which is to seek to provide safe and secure areas where children of all ages are able to play and have recreational facilities. Over recent months we have had discussions with Lorna Pleavin in relation to the use of the school playing field that is leased from the Diocese by Cheshire West and Chester and the possibility of siting some play equipment on the field - we haven’t got so far as to a location but that would be our next step.

Clause 1.3 of the lease is related to ‘permitted use’ and it is this that we would like to explore further.

One final question is whether the Diocese is able to offer help with funding streams for such equipment - we are a tiny Parish and our precept is between £5,000 and £6,000 per annum, much of which is taken up by maintaining the Parish.

Francis TunneyChair - Utkinton & Cotebrook Parish CouncilTel 07860 917446FT

From: Kirsty GillTo FT23 October 2015

Dear Francis

Thank you for your patience while I sought advice about your email.

The land is leased to the Diocesan Board of Finance, which is a separate entity to the Board of Education.I have therefore passed your enquiry on to the Board of Finance, who will make contact with you in due course.

Regarding your question about funding, as I intimated in our telephone conversation, unfortunately this isn't something which we are able to assist with.

Apologies for not being able to assist further with this one, but you can expect to hear back from the Board of Finance in time.

With kind regardsKirsty GillSchool Assets Assistant

Chester Diocesan Board of Education01928 718834 ext 248

From: KPTo: FT27 October 2015Questionnaire ref Play Areas

Hi Frank,

Please find attached a first stab at a questionnaire to be circulated to parents of children in the village via the school. Please feel free to edit as you wish. As I think I said, I had mentioned that we may want to do this to Lorna Pleavin,

Regards,

Karen

From; KPTo: FTRef; Questionnaire ref play areas

Hi Frank,Thanks for the changes -they help clarify the document. When I was at the school I mentioned the possibility of a questionnaire to Lorna and she was happy to help by distributing it and receiving back completed forms. Would you like me to email her to broach this again?

Roger has spoken to his contact at Tarporley Rotary about funding and passed on to me his contacts email address so I will take this forward to see if this is a possible funding stream - it could be useful for the play area on the school field,Regards,Karen.

From: KPTo Andrew Wallace (Tarporley Rotary), FT30 October 2015Utkinton Play Area

Hi Andrew,I hope that you don't mind me contacting you - Roger Barnes gave me your contact details.

As I think Roger may have told you, Utkinton and Cotebrook Parish Council are investigating the feasibility of creating a play area in Utkinton. At the moment we don't have any public play equipment in the village. When we recently surveyed the Parish for our Parish Plan this was identified as something that we needed to rectify. While we appreciate what a lovely place Utkinton is to live in, it can also be isolated and isolating especially if you don't have access to a car. We have heard of how difficult it can be for families in the village and while play equipment will not solve all the problems it may help provide some entertainment. We are investigating the feasibility of providing a toddlers area (behind the Village hall) and an area for older children near the Village school, which is the scheme that were hoping that you could help us with.

The Parish Council has been in communication with the village school who are happy for us to put some equipment on their field (on the opposite side of Quarry Bank to the school) - the headmistress understands some of the problems facing families in the village. The field is owned by the Church who we have been in communication with. We are also communicating with CWAC to understand our liabilities. Our thoughts are to put trail type play equipment (for example like the equipment at The Goshawk pub at Mouldsworth) on the field that would appeal to infant and junior age children but will still leave most of the field free for the school to use. We have not yet invited any quotes however given the information available we think costs will be in the region of £5,000.

Roger suggested that Rotary may be able to help us fund this scheme. We and the Parish would be very grateful for the help. The Parish is small with a correspondingly small precept and many demands such as road safety schemes in Cotebrook (which includes the A49 at Luddington Hill) so we need to come up with a way to pay for the scheme.

So I have some sort of idea, do you think it is likely that Rotary will be able to help us? Are there likely to be any conditions? What percentage of the costs are you likely to cover? As I mentioned we haven't yet got any firm quotations so that is one of our next steps but is there anything else that Rotary would want us to do?

Many thanks for your help,Regards,Karen PlattUtkinton and Cotebrook Parish Council

From: Andrew MarshallTo: KP3 November 2015Re Utkinton School Play Area

Karen Thanks for the email requesting some funding towards the proposed new play area. I will speak to Rotary tonight and see what response I get. Rotary will NOT be able to pay for the whole project, but as we do collect in Utkinton on our Christmas Santa Float I am sure a small contribution may be possible. I will also copy your email to Tarporley 41 Club (formerly Round Table) as I am also a member of that organisation. AKW

From KPTO Lorna Pleavin, FT4 November 2015Play Area Update

Hi Lorna,I thought that it may be useful for me to drop you a quick note to update you on how we are progressing with the scheme to put some play equipment on the school field.First, we have been in contact with the Diocese to get their permission for the scheme and clarify the lease arrangements,We have also done a bit of desk based investigation into the costs of the scheme. We have based this on trail type equipment (like the equipment at the Goshawk pub at Mouldsworth). This would take up a minimal amount of the field, preserving most of it for your use. Do you have any views on this? We are thinking that the costs may be about £5,000 but we would need to get some proper quotes to be sure. We hope to start to do this soon. Have you had any dealings with equipment providers that you would recommend?We have also been investigating funding streams and starting to put out feelers to contacts who may be able to help with grants. We have noticed that some grant organisations require applicants to demonstrate that there is a demand in the vicinity for the equipment. When we spoke at the school a few weeks ago I mentioned that we may want to distribute such a questionnaire and you very kindly offered to do this for us and collect completed forms back. Would you still be able to do this for us? If so we would be very grateful,Many thanks,Karen Platt.

From: FTTo Kirsty Gill13 December 2015

Good morning Kirsty,

Its been a while since we communicated on this and I have heard nothing - can you update us please.

From KPTo FT13 December 2015School Questionnaire

Hi Frank,

Just to let you know, I picked the questionnaire responses from the school on Friday. There were 14 of them, representing 26 children - very encouraging, I thought and showing a real desire for a play facility in the village I will try to pull the responses together so that we can analyse the answers better,

Regards,

Karen.

From: KPTo FT21 Feb 2016Word Doc (Playground analysis)

Brief Analysis of responses to playground questionnaire

We received back 14 responses covering 27 children, 13 girls and 14 boys. The children covered by the responses had an average age of 7 ½ with the youngest being 2 and the oldest 18.

Over half (64%) or the returned questionnaires were from families living in the Parish, with 3 of the questionnaires coming from people living in the neighbouring Parishes and one looking to move to the Parish. The respondent who lived furthest away came from Winsford.

All respondents stated that they would make use of play equipment in the village. Respondents mentioned play equipment in Tarporley, Tarvin, Chester Park,

Cuddington and Dodleston however the most popular are Kelsall (12 respondents mention it) and Ashton Hayes (5).

Suggested potential locations for the siting of any play equipment include:

Location Number of suggestions

School field 7

Village Hall 6

Farm Shop 4

Behind Lilly and Elliot’s house 1

When asked if they would prefer one large play area or a number of small areas suited to different aged children the response was mixed. Most (7) preferred one large area, 3 thought smaller areas better but 4 had no preference.

When asked what type of equipment their children enjoyed playing on the suggestions were mentioned:

Type of equipment Times mentioned Type of equipment Times mentioned

Climbing frame 10 cycle / scooter path 2

swings 10

slides 10 trampolines 1

monkey bars 4 rotating seesaw 1

roundabout 4 balance equipment 1

zip wires 3 all 1

football pitch 2 tennis court 1

obstacles 2 bridges 1

From: FTTo: LP25 February 2016Utkinton Play Area

Good morning Lorna,

Following up on the good work done by Karen Platt with reference to playground(s) in Utkinton I am trying to arrange a meeting, sometime on Monday 7th March, with a possible supplier and would like to be able to look at the playing field as well as one or two other areas. Would you, or Gavin, be available for half an hour? If not can we take a look ourselves.

Needless to say we are still in discussion with the Diocese (it is taking a long time) as well as potential providers and funders and there is no outcome as yet.

From FT To Kirsty Gill3 February 2016

Good morning Kirsty

I am a tad concerned as this appears to have been consigned to the back boiler and I have heard nothing from the Diocesan Board. Can you please give me a contact number for someone I can talk to.

Thanks in advance

From Kirsty GillTo FT

Dear Francis The best person to speak to would be the Diocesan Secretary, George , .The telephone number is 01928 718834, and his extension is 247. I have checked with George’s PA, who confirmed that he is aware of your enquiry, and I’m sure he’d be happy to discuss it with you. Many thanks Kirsty Kirsty GillSchool Assets Assistant Chester Diocesan Board of Education01928 718834 ext 248

From FTTo George Colville (Chester Diocese)25 February 2016Playing Field at Quarry Bank Utkinton

Good morning George,

Thank you for taking my call. I’d like to explain the proposal and rationale so we can, at least, open a dialogue.

Some time ago (November 2013) Utkinton and Cotebrook Parish Council published its ‘Parish Plan’ and a part of this referred to the desire by residents for us to have recreational facilities for the younger children of the Parish - the nearest being the Community Centre in Tarporley and one in Duddon. So, for the past year or so we have been exploring a number of options, one of which was to utilise a part of the playing field that sits adjacent to St Paul’s CofE School on Quarry Bank in Utkinton. Use of this is currently restricted to the school and to children of residents between certain hours.

So, our quest is to find possible locations around the village - hence our enquiry of the Diocese. At this stage we don’t actually have a proposal in mind so have nothing concrete to put to you but would like to explore the possibilities for locating, say, a couple of permanent pieces of playground equipment on the playing field. As yet we haven’t determined what or where, or even sources of funding - and that is before we get to planning with CWAC.

Can I. therefore ask you to raise this at your next committee meeting and let us know the outcome. In the meantime we are having exploratory meetings with potential providers about this and one other location in the village.

From FTTo Jo Comerie1 March 2016-06-16Ref 106 Available

Good morning Jo,

If this seems a tad late, my apologies, your note appeared in my inbox a week or so ago and I was a bit flummoxed as to know what to do about it. We (the Parish Council and the Village Hall Committee) are, as you know, attempting to find space and equipment for a playground in the village but have not, yet, got to the point of determining where it might go, what it might look like or even how much it would cost. Thus far Karen Platt (who was a councillor until a month ago) has undertaken a survey amongst the parents of the primary school and that shows a requirement, we have identified a couple of areas (behind the Village Hall and on the school playing field) and about to enter discussions with a possible supplier who has access to funding.

One we have jumped through all of those hoops, then we may well be in touch to see if you could assist us in completing the application, thank you for the offer.

Francis TunneyChair - Utkinton and Cotebrook Parish CouncilWebsite07860 917446FT

On 22 Apr 2013, at 16:36, COMERIE, Jo <[email protected]> wrote:Just thought the Parish Council might want to know that there is a 106 amount sitting in the CWaC account of £821. This is from the farm development on Wood Lane. It states that there is £508 for play space and £313 for public open space. The process to get hold of the money would be to get agreement from the ward councillor and it would then go to a capital programmes meeting to be agreed that the parish council can have it. What I suggest (having regularly read the minutes as my house seems to feature in them a lot) is that you look for other funding streams. Two that spring to mind is the Rural Support Grant run by CWaC and Wren which is a funding programme set up through landfill tax which Utkinton would be eligible for. If you managed to get funding from each of these you would have a decent amount of money to develop the play/open space. Wren are very keen to see community consultation carried out

which you have from the household surveys you have just completed. Let me know if you want to go ahead and claim the 106 money, as I can help you with an application. Jo (3 Rowlands View) Programme OfficerRegeneration DivisionCheshire West and Chester Council

From: Jo ComerieTo FT1 March 2016Ref 106 Available

Good afternoon Francis, I noticed the email was from 3 years ago so things have moved on from then. The council are in the process of pulling together a play strategy at the minute. This looks in detail at all play areas in the borough. What needs building from scratch, upgrading or in some cases decommissioning. Consultants by the name of Ethos have been conducting the study. They have been consulting with parish councils and I wonder whether you have heard anything from them as part of the consultation? The consultation work was carried out last year and there will also be a ratification process carried out shortly, lasting for 8 weeks. This is where Utkinton will have an opportunity to comment. Once the study is complete then CWaC will start to carry out the upgrades etc. I have asked my colleague to look to see whether Utkinton has had any representation as part of the study. I’ll be in touch as soon as he gets back to me. Regards jo Jo ComerieSenior Programme OfficerCulture and EconomyCheshire West and Chester Council

From: FTTo: Ron Pulford (Chair – Bunbury PC)11 April 2016Playground Equipment

Good morning Ron,

As per our brief conversation this morning I would like to confirm our interest at Utkinton and Cotebrook. We have a site and are, currently looking to buy a set of playground equipment and I will raise this at our PC Meeting tomorrow night.

It may well be that we wish to come and take a look and get some quotes for removing and reinstalling it.

From FTTO Ron Pulford14 April 2016Bunbury Playground Equipment

I mentioned the Bunbury equipment at our Parish Council and was asked to pursue the possibilities with you. In terms of funding we have a small ‘Section 806’ amount as well a promise of support from Tarporley Rotary and also Eveleigh Moore Dutton will look at what funds might become available.

So, please accept this as a formal ‘Expression of Interest’ on behalf of Utkinton and Cotebrook Parish Council.

From: RPTo FT14 April 2016Bunbury Playground Equipment

This was raised at our meeting last night and the good news is that we will not be charging anything for the equipment, we just want it to ‘go to a good home.’There are two other interested parties and I will be in touch shortly to arrange a viewing. Regards,Ron Ron PulfordChairman Bunbury Parish Council01829 261002 / 07540 [email protected]

From Alan Kempster-Down (Chester Diocese)To FT, Georgina Watmore15 April 2016Utkinton St Pauls CofE Primary School – Playing Field

Francis Further to your email late last year regarding the above. This has recently been passed to the Surveyors Department.Can I firstly apologise for how long this has taken to be responded to. The request to permit play equipment on the field would as you point out be in contravention of Clause 1.3 of the Lease and I also note you wish the Diocese to consider part funding this project. Due to the nature of your request it will need to be considered by the Housing and Glebe Committee that meets next on the 12th May. I will ensure you receive a response quickly after that meeting. Regards Alan Kempster-Down Property ManagerSurveyors DepartmentDiocese of Chester

From: S WilsonTo FT2 May 2016Feedback from UCPC Website

Dear Frank,

Further to our emails below, please could we on behalf of the parents of young children in Utkinton, have a more detailed idea of what is happening with the proposed playground?

We have seen in Tarporley Talk that there is real progress but haven't heard anything further.

There are a few of us keen to be involved and were wondering if it would be possible to see the plans? We would be more than happy to help physically too when the time comes.

Where we lived previously, 3 options of playground were proposed and the parents and children could vote for which they felt was the most suitable. We think this would be a good idea for Utkinton too.

We would really appreciate some consultation as the playground would be better used and supported if local parents were on board with the plans.

Also, please could you confirm the location, who will be maintaining the playground and if it is on the school field how that will impact our school children's PE lessons and playtime on the field if it then becomes a public park.

I look forward to hearing from you and would be happy to meet, chat further to put local families more in the picture.

Many thanks & kind regardsSusie WilsonTel. 07887568958

Subject: Re: Feedback from UCPC WebsiteFrom :FT Date: Wed, 9 Mar

I will write to let you know what is happening.

On 9 Mar 2016, at 11:12, Susie & Steve Wilson wrote:

Name: Susie & Steve Wilson

Comment: We have 2 children aged 5&7, we live on Northgate, Utkinton and both children attend the village school.We would be interested in helping with anything to do with the new proposed playground in the village which we support.

Thanks

From: FTTo S Wilson2 may 2016Feedback from UCPC Website

Hello Susie,

Of course we are happy to involve you. Everything we have done so far has been built on the consultation that Karen Platt did in conjunction with the school and parents. No decisions have yet been made although progress is being made. We have a costing from a playground supplier but no plan and also the possibility of some equipment (foc) from Bunbury. However, we have yet to get to the start line as we are awaiting the agreement of the Diocese of Chester (the owners) who lease the playing field to CWaC who rent it to the school - we hope to have some clarity after their meeting next week.

We hope to get a plan from the playground supplier in a week or so and once that and the Diocese are dealt with the hard work will begin. At that point we would like to pull together a working group to decide exactly the direction we go.

So, if you are happy to bear with us for a short while longer then we will convene a session to progress things.

The hardest part of all this has been the labyrinthine ownership of the school field is concerned. We did look at the space between the village hall and the tennis court but that proved too small.

Thanks for being in touch, I will call so we can meet up

From: FTTo Alan Kempster-Down9 May 2016Utkinton St Pauls CofE Primary School Playing Field

Good afternoon Alan,

Forgive me for resending this but I am never certain whether a mail has been delivered or not. Just to clarify; Utkinton and Cotebrook Parish Council is NOT seeking funding for this venture, but we would wish to have permission granted for the location of a playground on the playing field adjacent to (or rather opposite to) Utkinton St Paul’s CofE Primary School.

In order to give you an overviw of where it might be located I am attaching a graphic. The Containers show are already there and used by the school to house sports equipment.

From – Alan Kempster-DownTo FT17 May 2016Utkinton St Pauls CofE Primary School Playing Field proposed play area

Francis Further to recent emails re the above.Unfortunately this was unable to be discussed at the Houses Meeting on the 12th May.I have however already made it an agenda item for the next meeting on the 9th June.Please accept my apologies for this delay.I have however sought opinion from some members of the Committee prior to formal consideration and I regret to advise that initial thoughts appear to be that the request to alter the Clause within the Lease and allow the installation of permanent play equipment will not be approved.Formal discussion will take place on the 9th but I thought it only fair to indicate the current position. Regards Alan Kempster-Down Property ManagerSurveyors DepartmentDiocese of Chester

From: R PulfordTo FT24 may 2016Bunbury Playground Equipment

Hello Francis, Your request for the playground equipment was one of the original two that we received and the other council is now not in a position to proceed, so I am happy to offer the equipment to your Parish Council.If you could please confirm that you are still interested we can discuss further. Regards,Ron Ron PulfordChairman Bunbury Parish Council

From FTTo Alan Kempster-Down27 May 2016Utkinton St Pauls CofE Primary School Playing Field proposed play area

Good morning Alan,

I’ve just got back from holiday abroad and have been approached by a couple of interested parties regarding this issue. It may be that the Diocese regards the placement of playground equipment on the field as being a permanent structure and, to an extent they might be, but the Parish Council wishes to assuage the Diocese fears by committing to install it and, if it were required, to uninstall it at its own cost. It may be that, in the long-term, the Diocese might wish to sell the land for development if the school use declines and we would be happy to have a clause inserted in the lease arrangements to the effect that we, the Parish Council, would insure it for public liability, maintain it and also commit to removal and reinstatement at no cost to the diocese.

We would also like to have noted that we are not providing this as a truly public space but for the children of the village, many of who attend the Church of England Primary School.

My offer to attend still stands.

Kind regards

Francis Tunney

On 19 May 2016, at 15:06, Chester DBF Surveyors department wrote:

Frank Further to your email below.Let me speak with the Committee with regards your offer to present in person.If they would like to take you up on this I will come back to you.If they do not feel this is required I will ensure all the details you have supplied are presented to the Committee on the 9th June. Regards Alan Kempster-Down Property ManagerSurveyors DepartmentDiocese of Chester

From: Francis TunneySent: 18 May 2016 06:44To: Alan Kempster-DownCc: GWB; Alex Stubbs; [email protected]; Lorna Pleavin; [email protected]: Re: Re : Utkinton St Pauls CofE Primary School Playing Field proposed play area Dear Alan, Thank you for your response and the views of some of a number of members. I cannot disguise our initial disappointment and wonder whether we might be able to put our case in person. This 'development' aims to improve the village environment on behalf of the children of the village, many of whom attend the adjacent St Paul's CofE primary school and would use the proposed facility. The proposal has the full support of the School, the PTA, many of the Parish and the Parish Council. Frank TunneyChair - Utkinton and Cotebrook Parish Council

On 17 May 2016, at 17:58, Alan Kempster-Down wrote:Francis Further to recent emails re the above.Unfortunately this was unable to be discussed at the Houses Meeting on the 12th May.I have however already made it an agenda item for the next meeting on the 9th June.Please accept my apologies for this delay.I have however sought opinion from some members of the Committee prior to formal consideration and I regret to advise that initial thoughts appear to be that the request to alter the Clause within the Lease and allow the installation of permanent play equipment will not be approved.Formal discussion will take place on the 9th but I thought it only fair to indicate the current position. Regards Alan Kempster-Down Property ManagerSurveyors DepartmentDiocese of Chester

From AK-DTo FT27may2016

Francis Thank you for the additional information.I will ensure this is presented to the Housing Committee on the 9th June and then come back to you. Regards AKD Alan Kempster-Down Property ManagerSurveyors DepartmentDiocese of Chester Email : [email protected] Office : 01928 718834 ext 264Mobile : 07540 725112

From: Georgina WatmoreTo A K-D31 May 2016

Dear Mr Kempster-Down

Utkinton is one of the Villages that fall within the Parish of Tarporley.As you will know St Paul's Church (part of Tarporley Parish) closed in the 1990’s and became the local C of E primary school.I have very close links with the school and the Village.

Utkinton Village has very few amenities and the addition of a couple of swings and small climbing frame to the proposed site (all I believe that is being asked, and which would I understand be funded and insured by the local council) would give the young families in the area somewhere they could walk to (as opposed to the current car journey they have to undertake).I have not been a part of the long discussions that have taken place over this site, nor do I know the details of the lease or pretend to understand the complexity of the legal issues involved - however I would ask you and the committee to consider allowing local representatives to be present to state their case and be aware of the considerable upset that will be felt towards ‘the church’ if permission is not granted.

With grateful thanks for all you do to ensure and enable the ongoing work of the Church.

Georgina

Revd. Georgina WatmoreRector of Tarporley

The RectoryHigh StreetTarporleyCW6 0AG

01829 [email protected]

From: FTTo: Antoinette Sandbach MP5 June 2016Children’s Playground

Good evening Antoinette,

My apologies for getting in touch, out of the blue, so to speak.

I am writing as Chair of Utkinton and Cotebrook Parish council and we would like to enlist your help and support in convincing Chester Diocese to allow the Parish Council and the PTA to locate some playground equipment on the existing school playing field.

The issue is that we have been discussing this with the Diocese in one form or another for a few years and it is coming to a head on Thursday next (9th June) when the matter will be discussed by the ‘Housing and Glebe’ committee. We have been informed by Alan Kempster-Down (the property manager) that we are not permitted to put our case in person and that ‘some’ members have expressed concern and doubt in allowing this project to go ahead.

Ironically the equipment is being donated by Bunbury PC and will be used by the children who attend the CofE Primary School as well as other , younger, children in the village. The Parish Council has agreed to install, maintain, have ROSPA inspect and insure the equipment and, if necessary, remove it should the Diocese decide to dispense with the field. As far as we are aware - unless anything has changed recently, the School, CWaC and the PTA are all in agreement.

I realise that this is short notice and am including copies of two emails - from the Vicar and to me from Mr Kempster-Down. Perhaps we can discuss this on the phone.

From Antoinette Sandbach MPTo FT6 June 2016

Has there been a vote by the committee to establish the support for it? Am happy to do what I can to support. If you need me to email please make sure I know whose heads I need to knock together!!

From FTTo: Antoinette Sandbach MP6 June 2016

Good evening Antoinette,

Many thanks for the speedy response. I will try to shorten what has become a very

long story. The playground project started many years ago when it was felt that the children of the village and school had no amenities whatsoever and has continued, off and on up till today. The project has the unanimous support of the Parish Council, the school, the PTA, the parents and our Ward Councillor, Eveleigh Moore Dutton, plus latterly the vicar of Tarporley, Georgina Watmore. We had sought the approval of the school, Cheshire West and the Diocese, this latter body seeming to be unable to come to any decision over a somewhat extended period. The ownership and leasing is a complex affair with the Diocese owning the land (on Quarry Bank, Utkinton) and leasing it via CWaC to the School. We undertook some household surveys as a precursor to our Parish Plan that was published in 2013 and which included the desire by parents to have some amenities for the children of the village.

Having telephoned and written to the Diocese I finally got a response earlier this year from Mr Kempster-Down (Property Manager) saying that it would be put in front of the ‘Housing and Glebe Committee’, this was followed up by a note that said a number of the committee members had expressed doubt as to granting permission under the existing lease. I have tried to get an opportunity to present our case and been denied a couple of times and given that the meeting is on Wednesday 9th June, it seems unlikely that we will be able to do so. Our vicar, Georgina Watmore has also written but to no avail.

The two key individuals are, I believe, the Diocesan Secretary- George Colville, the Property Manager - Alan Kempster-Down.

We are somewhat perplexed as to why a Church of England body would deny the use of a piece of its land for the use of children who attend the CofE Primary school to which it is attached.

One of our problems is that we are loathe to publicise this prior to a decision being made as it might affect the outcome negatively but any support and assistance you were able to give would be gratefully received. For completeness I have included the vicar, the PTA and our Vice-chair. together with our ward councillor.

If you ever wish to visit the Parish, please let me know and we will do our best to host you.

From FTTo GWBUtkinton Play Area – Diocese Lease

After much archeology in the filing system I found the lease.

The broad headlines are that the Diocese leases the playground to CWaC for an annual sum of £300.00 with a rent review on 1 June 2016

CWaC then sublets it to the School (no sum or fee is mentioned.

The leases ran from 01 June 2011 through to 31 May 2021 (10-years)

I am not a legal beagle but there are two clauses that give me hope (1.1 and 1.3):

Although two dash my hopes:

From FTTo Lorna Pleavin8 June 2016

Good afternoon Lorna,

Just to keep you up to date - the proposals are likely to go before the ‘Housing and Glebe’ committee of the diocese on Thursday 9th June and quite a lot has gone on since we last talked. The PTA has been involved as have our Ward Councillor (Eveleigh Moore-Dutton) and, latterly our MP. We have also been offered (FOC) the existing playground equipment in Bunbury as they have put in a brand new, modern set that covers an extensive part of the playing field in the village.

We just wanted to ensure that you are still OK with this.

Kind regards

Francis Tunney07860 917446FT

From FTTo A K-D8 June 2016-06-16

Dear Alan,

I know its a bit late in the day but Lorna Pleavin, the Head of the School, has sent this letter in support for the meeting tomorrow.

From FTTo LPPlayground proposal13 June 2016-06-16

Good morning Lorna

I’m going to have a discussion with one or two of my colleagues, but before I do I would like to run something past you.

The clause I show below:

This appears to be the only ‘sticking point’, or at least it is the only one specifically mentioned by the Diocese (Alan Kempster-Down) and if the PC was able to purchase and install this equipment on behalf of the school, so that the school became the ‘owner’, then I cannot see how Clause 1.3 applies. My thoughts are that the PC takes on the responsibility of ‘purchase’ installation, maintenance and insurance and, if deemed necessary, the removal and reinstatement - would this work for the School and Governors plus the PTA. We’d have to raise some additional funds (we already have a small amount of ‘Section 106’ monies and a promise from Tarporley Rotary) and may have to look to the precept.All we would ask is that the equipment could be used by all children of a certain age group in the village, we’d even look for benches to be ‘donated'

There may also be ways for parents whose children might attend the school and use the equipment to lobby the diocese in advance of the next meeting - is that a reasonable thing to ask?

I am seeing Graham Stewart at 10 this morning so if you were able to respond before then it would be good.

Kind regards

Francis Tunney07860 917446FT

From: A K-DTo Antoinette Sandbach MP

Dear Antoinette Further to your email below.This matter was briefly discussed at the Houses Meeting last week.However, in view of your email, and reference to Bishop Peter, and further emails from Francis Tunney and Lorna Pleavin (Head Teacher) all received just before the meeting it was decided that this matter would be better discussed at the Bishops Staff Meeting, Chaired by Bishop Peter which is scheduled for next week on the 22nd June.Either myself, or the Diocesan Secretary, George Colville, will come back to you. Kind regards Alan Kempster-Down Property ManagerSurveyors DepartmentDiocese of Chester From: SANDBACH, Antoinette]Sent: 07 June 2016 08:32To: Chester DBF Surveyors departmentCc: FT, GW, Graham Stewart; S WilsonSubject: Utkinton play area Dear Mr Kempster-Down RE UTKINTON PLAY AREA I am writing on behalf of the parents and residents of Utkinton, there is a well established need in the village for a play area for local children. This has been evidenced to the Diocese by the Parish Council, the School, the Parent Teacher Association, the Local Ward Councillor, the local Vicar the Reverand Georgina Watmore and the results of the Parish Survey in 2013. I find it very hard to understand, given the aims of the Church in relation to the alleviation of poverty, and the general Charitable purposes upon which much Church land is held including education and wellbeing, why on earth the Diocesan land managers would not be supporting this application. Any possible liabilities have been accepted by the Parish Council who are willing to make sure that the equipment is insured, and is inspected. The Reverand Watmore, from her own personal knowledge has highlighted the fact that those in the village who do not have access to a car, will suffer the most from

any decision not to approve this application, and that it will decrease social isolation by allowing parents from all parts of the community to come together in a single location within the village. Something which is vital in a rural area such as Utkinton. In the days when the church is increasingly having to show why it is relevant to the daily lives of those communities in which it operates, some might say that it would be a short sighted approach of the Diocese to refuse this application. I would be very grateful if you could indicate the basis on which some members of the committee have “reservations” prior to tomorrow’s meeting – and provide me with the names of all the members of the committee as I will watch carefully the outcome of this case, so if necessary I can write to them all personally and highlight my concerns to the Bishop about the approach of the Diocese Could you also confirm the basis on which the land is held and whether or not it is subject to any charitable objects or purposes, as I understand that the Church receives very favourable tax treatment for a number of its land holdings on the basis of its charitable objects and aims. Yours sincerely Antoinette Sandbach MPMember of Parliament for Eddisbury

House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA Twitter: @asandbachmpwww.antoinettesandbach.org.uk