Issue - meetings

AGREED that Cabinet:

a)       formally supports the development of the scheme as set out in the report and appendices, and in line with the cost plan;

b)       agrees that Section 106 monies from the Arkwood development on Lord Hawke Way are allocated to the scheme;

c)        approve the Capital Programme budget of £520,400 financed by Section 106, Shared Prosperity Fund, Capital Receipt and Newark Town Council Contribution;

d)       supports a short period of public consultation in the new year, to ensure the plans align with community feedback and aspirations for the site; and

e)       subject to no material changes being required from the consultation exercise, the scheme and its packages are formally tendered and the scheme is progressed through to delivery.

The Director – Communities & Environment presented a report which put forward proposals that would lead to significant investment and improvement in Sherwood Avenue Park in Newark.  In the absence of the Portfolio Holder, the Director – Communities & Environment read a statement indicating her support for the exciting vision for the park and the excellent partnership work behind the scheme proposals. The concept design and detail were set out in the report and appendices along with the breakdown of the different funding elements.

AGREED      (unanimously) that Cabinet:

a)            formally supports the development of the scheme as set out in the report and appendices and in line with the cost plan;

b)            agrees that Section 106 monies from the Arkwood development on Lord Hawke Way are allocated to the scheme;

c)             approve the Capital Programme budget of £520,400 financed by Section 106, Shared Prosperity Fund, Capital Receipt and Newark Town Council Contribution;

d)            supports a short period of public consultation in the New Year, to ensure the plans align with community feedback and aspirations for the site; and

e)            subject to no material changes being required from the consultation exercise, the scheme and its packages are formally tendered and the scheme is progressed through to delivery.

Reasons for Decision:

The recommendations align with the Community Plan objectives in relation to health and wellbeing and the environment and in response to resident feedback as evidenced through the latest resident survey, which placed growing emphasis on parks and play areas. It is also in line with the strategy for increased town centre living, whilst the park and all of its proposed improvements are free to access.

Options Considered:

Given the age of the park, its prominence in the town centre and the links to the Council’s Community Plan objectives, doing nothing is not deemed to be a viable alternative. Scope does exist to reduce the scope of the intervention, but this is not deemed desirable given the funding package that has been put together and the community desire for improvement that has been expressed to date.