Frome Town Council agree to improve Stonebridge play areas (updated)

As you may know, late last year Mendip District Council proposed to install new childrens play equipment in several play areas across the district which are in need of refurbishment, including in Frome in Stonebridge at the Hawksworth Close and Blackbird Way play areas (see here). This was triggered by the feedback I had received from over two dozen parents in Stonebridge, about the need to improve Hawksworth Close play area for younger children within walking distance of home, and the sort of equipment you wanted to see there.

There was enough evidence from residents that an upgrade to the Hawksworth Close play area was needed. However, as this legally required Frome Town Council’s approval to spend funds from section 106 agreements (from housing developments) in Frome, a meeting between the two council teams took place on 31st January to agree the way forward, which also involved Mendip District councillors Janine Nash (Frome Berkley Down) and Heather Shearer (MDC Cabinet member) and town cllrs Sara Butler, Andy Jones and Tracey Ashford. At the meeting concerns were raised about the decision making process, the Town Council not being consulted before equipment was purchased, and about the equipment not being inclusive, but as it had already been bought, it was agreed that the existing MDC plans to upgrade both play areas will be brought to the next Frome Town Council meeting on 22nd February for approval. FTC councillors accepted the need to proceed with the MDC spending proposals.

It was also agreed that MDC and FTC will explore placing new benches in both play areas and the Brunel Way open space, and that there should be greater collaboration between councils on planning future play projects and in relation to Section 106 funds.

UPDATE, 20th FEBRUARY:

As I said, Frome Town Council is meeting next Wednesday 22nd February to decide whether to approve the funding (obtained by Mendip District Council from housing developments) for new playground equipment at the Hawksworth Close and Blackbird Way childrens play areas. The report can be found as ITEM 6 HERE.

However the FTC officers’ report is not positive about the idea and states, ‘… it’s the opinion of FTC staff that investing s106 budgets in these two sites is misplaced and it would be much better to invest in the Brunel Way open space…. ‘.

The meeting between Frome Town Council and Mendip District Council officers and councillors on 31st January did conclude with the three Town Councillors for College ward agreeing that although there are problems with Mendip’s approach, and it is not entirely in line with FTC’s long-term adopted Play Strategy, on this occasion it would be better to support the installation of the new play equipment in these areas. At the meeting I discussed the feedback I had received from 25 residents about what improvements you wanted to see at Hawksworth Close playground (see table below) and this helped make the case that there is local community support for improvements there.

It is now up to all 17 Frome Town Councillors to vote on the proposals on Wednesday evening. If it is approved by the Town Council, the new play equipment will be installed in the next few months.

But what do you think? Do you want to see Hawkworth Close and Blackbird Way play areas improved as MDC proposes? (see https://adamboyden.mycouncillor.org.uk/2023/02/04/stonebridge-play-areas/) or do you agree with FTC officers that should be a rethink and that it would be better to work out a plan for a new play area at Brunel Way open space (which would take some time)?

If you can, please come along to the meeting of Frome Town Council, on Wednesday 22 February 2023, 7.00pm at Frome Town Hall in person and via Zoom. If attending on Zoom please register in advance at: https://bit.ly/3xiOshx. The Agenda and reports for the meeting can be found here: https://www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/event/council-41/. These also include a vote of no confidence in our MP, and a report on repairs needed to the Old Showfield play area.

You may also wish to contact Frome Town Councillors in advance of the meeting, please see here: https://www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/council/frome-town-council/councillors

UPDATE, 23rd February:

The good news is that last night, after half an hour’s discussion, Frome Town Councillors agreed to support the funding (from local developments) for play equipment at two open spaces – Hawksworth Close and Blackbird Way, despite the concerns some councillors and officers raised about inclusivity and the way the decision had been made by Mendip District Council’s officers. I was anxious not to let the ‘perfect be the enemy of the good’ so I said a few words just in time.

Hawksworth Close and Blackbird Way play areas will both have a multi-purpose unit (climbing and a slide). Hawksworth Close will also have a twister roundabout. Blackbird Way will also have a pair of junior swings. I will let you know when these playgrounds will be improved, hopefully soon!

You can see the discussion and vote at the meeting on Youtube, from 43 minutes in until 1 hour 10 minutes here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJkjqYxHj2Y and FTC’s report of the meeting here https://www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/latest-from-the-chamber-vote-of-no-confidence-in-mp/

Thanks for your input to this, thanks to you the playgrounds will be much more fun for the children of the Stonebridge area.