Decision details

To consider a petition asking the Council to invest in effective securiny at Old Dean Recreation Ground. Further details on the petition can be viewed here:

https://petitions.surreyheath.gov.uk/OldDeanRecSec/

The Executive receive a presentation from Mr Trefor Hogg, chairman of the Old Dean Community Group (ODCOG), on a petition submitted concerning Old Dean Recreation Ground. The petition asked the Council to invest in better lighting that was able to resist vandalism and invest in CCTV to protect the playground area at Old Dean Recreation Ground so that the asset remained fully usable by the community. The petition had been available for signing on the Council’s website between 9 July and 9 October 2020 and had received 520 signatures.

Mr Hogg presented the petition, highlighting the recent investment by the Council, Accent Housing, and ODCOG to the play area. Members were informed about vandalism and deliberate damage to the play equipment, along with other anti-social behaviour at the site. He asked the Executive to consider the following measures to help address these issues:

1.    Install lighting that worked and was robust, in order to make the footpaths safer and to deter misuse of the area at night;

2.    Install CCTV recording; and

3.    Install an alarm system in the pavilion. 

Members considered the petition and agreed to support its aim. It was agreed that a report would be brought to an Executive meeting within the next 3 months, addressing each of the points raised by the petitioner. It was also agreed to look at reports that the pavilion was not currently in use as part of this work.

The Places & Strategy Portfolio Holder also undertook to discuss with officers issues raised concerning the durability of play equipment.

RESOLVED that

(i)        the petition be supported;

(ii)      a further report be brought to the Executive within 3 months, setting out options for

(a)      replacing the lighting on the paths;

(b)      CCTV recording;

(c)      an alarm scheme at the pavilion; and

(d)      bringing the pavilion back into use.

Note: The following declarations were made in connection with this item:

(i)            in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct, Councillors Rodney Bates and Shaun Garrett declared that they were trustees of the Old Dean Community Group; and

(ii)          it was noted for the record that Councillor Rebecca Jennings-Evans declared that she had met with the petitioner.