FOLLOWING a meeting of Thame Town Council’s Culture, Leisure and Recreation committee on Tuesday evening (08/040, here is a round up of news arising, including youth issues:-
* Grants are being sought from the FA and others for re-seeding of the grass play area at Churchill Crescent, and for the provision of a better, all-weather surface for the hard-standing play area.
* SKATE PARK – The company that installed the ramps has not been responding to letters from the council about their responsibility to re-paint the ramp. The council has therefore obtained some paint from another source and after applying some to a small area, is monitoring its durability. In the meantime, the council is looking for another specialist company to take on the maintenance of the skate park which apparently, only has a life span of about 10 years. Councillors agreed that they need to be looking towards having to replace what Cllr David Laver called: “..this worthwhile and well used” facility.
* GRASS CUTTING – The council has taken over all grass cutting on the town side of the by-pass that is within the 30mph limit, and is asking residents to report to them any areas it may miss.
* YOUTH ISSUES – The committee’s recently formed Youth Issues Working Group is to distribute work sheets to groups likes the Scouts and Guides, Youth Theatre, Rugby Club, Youth Centre etc, to gain information and feedback about issues effecting young people. The YIWG’s Terms of Reference are:
“….to look at ways of bridging the gap between the Town Council and young people in the core age range of (11-18 yrs) in the community.
“The bridge should be developed as a two-way structure, enabling councillors to be proactive in contacting young people and for young people to be involved in community projects of all kinds.
“The ultimate aim is to form a widely represented strong and effective Youth Council for Thame or Forum where regular communiction between the parties can take place, influencing the decisions made by the Town Council.”
The group has previously met with the Thame Youth Worker, Nicola Francis and some young people at the skate park.
Cllr Nigel Champken-Woods said that the council needed to get to the ‘disaffected’ as well as those already in organised groups.
* YOUTH SHELTER – Five years after a Youth Shelter was promised, and a subsequent consultation exercise came up with prefered sites, i.e. Queen Elizabeth circle and the Southern Road recreation ground, the YIWG is to make a youth shelter its priority. (There was opposition from some residents in both areas)
“You will get some opposition from the vociferous few wherever it goes,” said Cllr Champken-Woods. “We just have to grasp the nettle.”
Cllr Mike Dyer said: “We should ask the young people themselves how they are going to police it!”
Cllr Beatrice Dobie said that circumstances had changed since Southern Road was looked at, in that the residents had accepted an enlarged guide hut. “A youth shelter may be a bridge too far,” she said.
The CLR committee agreed that the WIWG should go away and come back with recommendations as to where, what costs, what funding is available, what style of shelter etc.
* FRIENDS OF ELM PARK – Following a meeting with the Neighbourhood Action Group, it seems that Elms Park is the biggest problem for the police with regard to drink, anti-social behaviour and drugs. The group apparently feels that the whole area needs re-designing to include new fencing, more planting and more equipment for older, young people.
The possibility of a Park Warden is being looked into and possible sources of funding such as “Parks For People.” The council are also considering locking the gates at night.
* CUTTLEBROOK – printing of a new leaflet going forward. Duke of Edinburgh Award students from Lord Williams’s school have been involved in work parties but the Management need for volunteers.
* FISHING LAKE – The Town Clerk is to look into where the council is with this scheme which has gone quiet lately.
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