Oakham Town Council and the Skate Park

Letchworth Town Council
1st Dec 2010:The Council set a zero council tax precept for 2011/2012 at its meeting on Tuesday 30th November 2010.

Could we see this happen at Oakham Town Council? I say yes

Many people tell me they can not see the point of this Council.

The recent chance for those local people to bring about change has come and gone.

There are 12 seats on Oakham Town Council and only 6 will be filled after May 5th with all 6 candidates includiing myself being elected unopposed not very democratic.

Before this time arrives much will happen amongst the other 5 members to try and find six friends to co-opt after May 9th.

Can I suggest if you are one of those people who can not see the point of this very expensive town council you put yourself forward for co-option and after you are appointed you make a legal resolution to disolve the council. I will support this resolution.

Councillor Dewis said the old boys club is closed, lets see it closed completely for the benefit of all local tax payers.

Oakham Town Council has for far to long held the view its job is to collect tax from hardworking people and spend as they please.

The  project to replace benches will cost thousands and is not needed.

At the last Council meeting the Clerk tried to direct £5,400 of public money towards another of his chums.
Fortunately  those members who attended realised this could not happen.

The Clerk asked for Standing Order 13(a) to be waived so the council did not have to get tenders for work on the skate park.

The Clerk kept reminding members we have the money in the budget,  which was wrong, his own recommendation clearly said they would have to find a large sum. This time he was not getting his own way.

Work on the Skate park will be tendered. The original contractor asked by the Clerk to provide a quote, the contractor spoke to the young people and drew up a very vague quote based on what work may be required and what the young people wanted. In the past this would not have been questioned. I am pleased it was and use this as an example of the issues relating to your money at Oakham Town Council.

The Clerks friend Cllr Sharon Spencer who is currently busy shredding documents before stepping down refused to vote.



The Clerks recommendation Appendices F(i)

Item 15- Skate Park

Recommendation to Members

The quotation for work to the skatepark (Appendix F) is for £4,500

Members are aware that there is £3445

(What follows shows very clearly the councils recently accepted budget is a pointless piece of paper you will see this from the next statement of the recommendation. I did not notice a budget heading marked cash to find later.)

available for such work made up of an earmarked reserve of £2445 and £1000 from current budget. As such additional funding of £1055 will have to be found if members agree to the recommendation.

The Clerk met with the builder and designer of the facility, Chris Straw of Flo SK8-PARKS, on site Tuesday 29th March. The Clerk say Mr Straw knows the facility better than anyone, having initially consulting on its design and then by building it.

Mr Straw has talked extensively to the users of the park and his quotation is for the work necessary to incorporate all the changes that have been suggested to them.

These are:

Removal of "flat bank" on the eastern side of the skate park and to replace with a "transition" which will mean that end of the park is the same as the other, ie one continuous curve.

Removal of box at side of the park

Extension if the middle "spine ramp" all the way across the skate park.

In addition, all the existing surfaces will be removed in order that the underlying plywood panels be replaced

(the next part puzzled members because there are no current issues and with the underlying plywood or cross beams and the clerk could only say if replacement was required there would be no extra cost. This suggest to me and them the contractor is over charging or being very kind and providing major works for free.)
 
While this work is being done the cross beams will then all be checked and replaced if necessary. The existing surfacing will then be reaffixed onto the new plywood. The work will also see the transition at the bottom of the rams completely replaced as these are starting to show signs of wear.

(Looking at the skate park I would suggest this is the only work that is really required all the rest appears to be work creation to me)

Mr Straw estimates that this work will take 2 people two weeks to complete. The price includes the removal from site of all waste and the erection of safety fencing whilst the work takes place.

Once the work is complete, Mr Straw estimates that no other work, apart from essential maintenance should be needed for another 3 or 4 years.

Since its construction in October 2007 very little maintenance work has been necessary at the facility. this is despite two harsh winters in the last two years. However, it now requires attention and by authorising this work, members will ensure that it remains safe as well as providing new challenges for all those who use it.

The recommendation to members is:

(i) That they waive Standing Order 13(a) which states that all expenditure shall be in accordance with the Council's Financial Regulation.

It surprises me it can be so easy for these rules to be scrapped. I am pleased members ignored his request sadly they allowed it for the reprinting of the heritage leaflets)

(ii) That they authorise the expenditure of £4500 for the works detailed and that the contract be awarded, without competition, to Flo SK8-Parks. The additional funds required are to be provided from the Council's General Fund.   (he forgot to the addition of VAT)

(Councils General Fund what is that? surplus money?)


Appendix F

Quote

Flo-Skateparks

March 31, 2011


Manor Farm
Manor Lane
Langham
Rutand
United Kingdom
LE15 6JL

VAT 909 8929 65

Phone 07980 982 745  01572 770455

Chris@flo-skateparks.com

To Oakham Town Council

FLO-SK8

Maintain and Repair skatepark
Replace 3 damaged sheets and fix transition x 4
Remove flat bank and replace with transition
Extend spine 8' (2.4)
2 new copings for spine

£4500
Vat £900
|£5400