AGENDA ITEM 5

BOROUGH OF POOLE

Alderney & Branksome EAST & WEST Area Committee

WEDNESDAY 16th MARCH 2011

REPORT OF THE HEAD OF LEISURE SERVICES

ITEM FOR INFORMATION

Branksome recreation ground OUTDOOR fitness trail

1 / Purpose of Report
1.1 / To provide information to the Area Committee on the installation of new outdoor fitness equipment, spread along a 1-mile route around Branksome Recreation Ground, using Planning Obligations (developer contributions) funding.
2 / Introduction
2.1 / Prior to the Town & Village Green (TVG) application being received in 2009, Leisure Services had consulted with the public on different types of fitness equipment and where to locate them on Branksome recreation ground. This work was put on hold whilst the TVG was being appraised and is now being resurrected.
2.2 / The scheme is consistent with the Borough of Poole’s Corporate Objective: Promoting Health and Wellbeing, Supporting Children & Young people, Strengthening our Communities.
3 / Information
3.1 / It is proposed that the running/jogging route will be 1 mile long around the recreation ground marked with distance markers. Four clusters containing a total of approximately 15 pieces of fitness equipment will be installed providing various exercises such as stretching, balancing and muscle building. The equipment will be accessible for all abilities and is designed for over 16 year olds.
3.2 / Consultation in 2009 took place on site, with Branksome Residents Action Group and the Friends of Branksome Recreation Ground to identify the needs of the local users regarding the type of the fitness equipment they would like to have installed.
3.3 / Following this Area Committee, Leisure Services will draw up final designs for the type and location of fitness equipment and these will be publicised on
3.4 / £40,000 of funding is to be requested from Planning Obligations (Developer Contributions) Branksome West Casual Play and Amenity Open Space Fund of the £70,899 currently available.
3.5 / However, it is possible that external funding from the Primary Care Trust (PCT) for Outdoor Fitness Equipment at a range of sites across the Borough may be forthcoming and could fund this scheme in its entirety. Confirmation is still required and if this funding does become available any Planning Obligations funds will be returned to the ward pot.
4 / Conclusion
4.1 / Should the PCT funding not become available feedback from this Area Committee meeting will be reported to a future Planning Obligations Sub Group.
4.2 / The new fitness equipment and trail will be installed Summer/Autumn 2011.

CLIVE SMITH

HEAD OF LEISURE SERVICES

Contact Officer:

Martin Whitchurch, Greenspace Development Officer

Tel No: (01202) 261323

Background Papers:

None