Should vandalised swing be replaced (From Ledbury Reporter)
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Should vandalised swing be replaced
4:10pm Saturday 17th March 2012 in News
LEDBURY’S deputy mayor, Councillor Tony Bradford, is asking why public money should be used over and over again to replace the vandalised “bird’s nest swing” on the Recreation Ground.
The play feature has been replaced at least four times since 2009, and the town’s environment and leisure committee has voted to spend a further £600 to replace the last swing that was damaged.
Coun Bradford said: “Has anyone been banging on our door, asking to have the swing back?
“I believe the town council actually had a resolution to say we would not replace it, if it was damaged again.”
But Coun Martin Eager said the council had an undertaking to maintain all the equipment on the Recreation Ground.
The cheaper option of replacing the swing with a hanging tractor tyre, specially adapated for the purpose, was discussed by councillors.
This option would have cost the council £185, instead of £600.
But Coun Paul Winter said a tractor trye was an option that was “old hat and out of date”.
Coun Eager said: “I propose we take on the installation of the preferred equipment.”
This motion was carried by a vote.
Martin Eager says...
5:45pm Sat 17 Mar 12
Second, when it was installed by the Herefordshire Council via the Playbuilder grant, it was made clear at the time that any item installed was the responsibility of the Town Council, and that removal of any item would make the council liable to the equipment cost, this is why I have in the past insisted that it is maintained and made usable.
Third, I have established that due to a change of government thinking and the abandoment of the Playbuilder project, the Town Council is no longer liable to replacement costs of any equipment removed.
Finally, now that circumstances have changed I can no longer support any further funding on this equipment which is why my proposal to remove the swing was suppported at last Thursday's full council meeting.
So hopefully in the next few weeks this item of equipment will be gone.