HAMP COMMUNITY FOCUS ON MANSFIELD PARK

Sedgemoor District Council are re-looking at their spending priorities in relation to Hamp following a meeting convened to focus on community demands for the much neglected Mansfield Park.



Park Campaigner Ben Harvey ( pictured presenting a cheque for Re-creation to Cllr Pat Parker Chair of the HCA) who attended the meeting said he had been consulting in the schools and around the Estate and the most common demand was for Childrens play facilities.

At an earlier meeting in the Black Horse, Labour councillors present urged campaigners to work in conjunction with the Hamp Community Association to make sure the whole community was working together and this was agreed

Following on from this meeting a further meeting at Edinburgh road ,drawing together Park campaigners with Play Rangers, HCA committe members, Councillors and SDC parks and leisure officers was held to focus on the Community demands.

The Play Rangers present spoke of immediate action to get some provision on the park such as climbing in the form of a large dead tree - which was a popular option elsewhere or a play equipment pod -which would require a key holder. Ben Harvey said he was planning a Mansfield Park 'FunDay' event on Saturday 8th May which could be used as a focus for community consultation. He was also organising local people in fund raising events.

Cllr Kathy Pearce said "It was apparent that there were other key issues pertaining to the park - the state of the changing rooms, the future requirements for football on the park and addressing the concerns of the residents regarding potential nuisance. However, Mansfield Park is in the heart of the community and was donated to the people of Hamp to enjoy. We are working hard with members of the community to combat anti-social behaviour problems and to improve the facilities on the park."


Sedgemoor Parks officer Harley Cook said "We need to first undertake an official consultation and then I can put the proposals to my new line manager". Sedgemoor has undergone a major reshuffle recently and former officer Nicola Slawski is moving aside for Teresa Harvey-who recently oversaw the demolition of the Splash.


Cllr Brian Smedley (SDC Shadow Portfolio for Health & Well Being) said "At the meeting we made it clear to Sedgemoor officers that Mansfield park was the only park left in Sedgemoor that had not had money spent on it and this was long overdue. There were people in the Community with some positive ideas and clearly a proven need for immediate attention. The ball is now in the court of SDC to tell us what funds they're prepared to devote to Hamp and then we can work out how to spend it. The way to do this is with a Genuine Community Consultation so we're all on board and the Hamp Community Association is key to this and will be considering it as soon as SDC gives us the go ahead."





Brian Smedley is in the process of compiling a Hamp Community Audit to present to Sedgemoor and to the Agencies active on Hamp to demonstrate areas of need and how they can be addressed. It will be presented to a HCA meeting in April for an Action Plan.