Frustration over the continuing wait for “vital” play area safety improvements in Highbridge has this week prompted town councillors to consider recruiting their own project manager to get the work done.
They are unhappy that Sedgemoor District Council says its work to overhaul the aging Talbot Close and Stilings Close play areas cannot begin until 2014 at the earliest because neither site has a high enough priority and no council staff are available to undertake the job.
This comes despite thousands of pounds of cash already being earmarked for the projects using RLT2 community funding contributed by property developers.
At a meeting in Burnham last night (Monday), town councillors confirmed they want some of the RLT2 cash to be set aside so that a short-term staff member can be recruited to get the work underway. However, they also want Sedgemoor District Council to manage the person – something it does not want to do.
“We want this to move forward, but the Town Council shouldn’t take on the project management itself at any cost – that would be ridiculous,” Mayor Ken Smout told the meeting.
“We are no experts ourselves and are not in a position to take on the health and safety responsibilities of play areas.”
Cllr Martin Cox agreed: “Play areas are Sedgemoor’s responsibility, not ours. It would set a dangerous precedent for the future if we were to take on this role.”
And Cllr Helen Groves added: “Sedgemoor should own the maintenance and delivery of the facilities.”
Town Clerk Eileen Shaw added that the Town Council had reached a “frustrating stalemate” on the matter, with the impasse being escalated to Sedgemoor’s portfolio holder for further discussion.
Angry residents have hit out at the district council over the lengthy delays – including Tina Gray from Highbridge Residents Association, pictured above at the Talbot Close play area, who wants the repairs to the aging equipment to go ahead as soon as possible.
Pictured: Top, Tina Gray from Highbridge Residents Association at the Talbot Close play area and, above, the town council in its meeting
