[park381]

Originally Posted by Gayle Knight

Yes, and you see there's another thing that needs to be cleared up quickly. It's Council officers who are currently leading on the funding application.

Which is another area where I have a bit of a problem.

To write a funding application properly you have to state exactly what you're going to spend the money on. You can't just fill in the form and say 'can we have £1m please, we'll spend it really wisely'.

So, how can they write up a bid without the committee being formed and without the consultation process taking place? Yet, that is precisely what has happened which means that someone has made some decisions about it already or the bid couldn't be written. I mean, for instance, if the funding bid states they want to reinstate a bandstand or crazy golf, or if they want to turn the old playground into a football pitch or an open air theatre, how could they do this without consultation?

Was the whole idea not to put the park back as it was. When the Head of parks gave his little presentation at the area council meeting, it was to resurface paths, add seating, and other "minor" items HBC had already done the ground work, as you say Gayle the bid will need to be detailed and complete with estimates, and will need to include all professional fees etc. The main thing is to have a voice on the committee a local voice. Was there not also an indication of refurbishment of the existing buildings in the park, to be hired out for community use.