MPC(22)97
Pavilion Project Update
The Pavilion is now all but finished bar a few snagging issues listed below.
Activities w/c 7th Nov:
- Playground fencing installed and Heras fencing will be removed.
- New access ‘road’ being completed – sign off from Building Control will be issued shortly.
- Make good the temporary access road and area where the site huts etc were once the hedge cut takes place on the 10th
Activities w/c 14th Nov:
- Batteries being installed
- Door manifestations
Awaiting a date:
- Fit cabin hooks to the doors.
- CCTV re-siting
We are also contesting who is responsible for the damaged cooker hood which Mixbrow are claiming was damaged after handover. However this is a minor cosmetic defect and does not impact the performance.
The solar panels are not currently covered by a CCTV camera. There have been a series of conversations with the CCTV company and they are proposing moving one of the cameras and placing it on a right angled bracket, at a cost of £621.50. I am informed that this is because the bracket can only be manufactured by a specialist company as it needs to be able to withstand high wind speeds.
Kit Out
Most items have been purchased and delivered. There are currently 20 padded chairs and 6 tables. Additional chairs (some with arms) and tables may need to be purchased. The kit out fund has around £70 remaining.
Defib
It is proposed that a defib is installed on the outside of the Pavilion. This could be part funded through grants and the bequest given to the council by a former resident.
Pathway Lighting
Solar powered lights are being installed along the tennis courts to light the pathway. They are motion activated. It was felt this was a simple and cost-effective solution rather than installing another wired system.
Budget
There are sufficient funds in the Pavilion EMR to cover the build costs, the access road and architect fees. Estimated that around £10k will remain in the EMR to cover remaining kit out costs. A saving was made on the temporary access road, which means that the build costs is around £266k against the original budget of £268k.
Hire Enquiries
We have had several hire requests, including exercise classes for the elderly, Tai Chi, yoga, sewing classes and cafes. It is also hoped that the Pavilion could be used as a warm room, potentially run by the Melton Good Neighbour Scheme. It is envisaged that most regular hires will start in January 2023 but there might be some ad hoc hires from late November.
We have received a request for a café to run from the Pavilion, initially at weekends, with a view to extending the number of days. However, there are potentially business rate implications and this would prevent the Pavilion being hired for other purposes on a number of days. It has already been noted that the Car Boot Sale organisers wish to hire the Pavilion on car boot sale days and it would not be available for hire on the day of the fete.
Public Toilet
The public toilet will be open from 8am to 4pm (Nov to March) and 8am to 8pm (April to September) and works on a timer clock. There will be a daily clean in the evening which will identify any vandalism and prevent the door being propped open overnight.
Opening Event
It is proposed that the grand opening event takes place in early Spring, when hopefully the weather will be better, it isn’t so dark and it gives time to prepare for the event. Press would be invited and the format would be similar to that originally proposed (open event session for the members of public early afternoon followed by an invitation event later in the afternoon). A dedication plaque would be unveiled by Cllr Porter.
It is also proposed that the annual Christmas/Fete thank you party (not happened in recent years due to Covid) could take place in the Pavilion in December. A date, organiser and guest list would have to be agreed but am conscious that we are running out of time. Cllr Porter would like to use the Christmas event to unveil the plaque rather than waiting until the Spring.
Recommendations
Members are asked to:
- Decide if they wish to proceed with installing the CCTV camera to view the solar panels at an additional cost of £621.50
- Decide if they wish to purchase and install a defib at the Pavilion
- Decide if they wish to allow a café to run from the Pavilion and the hours/days of operation
- Decide on the arrangements for the opening event, if a Christmas party should take place at the Pavilion and if the plaque should be unveiled in 2022 or 2023.
Pip Alder
Clerk and Executive Officer to the Council
November 2022