Community Art and Section 106 Funding
November, 2019
A Community Art project that will include raised planters, benches and a pergola leading to Heol Fain is due to start in November 2019 at St James’ Gardens. Tenby Daffodils, Wild Bluebells, Wild Crocus, Snowdrops, Winter Aconite, Star of Bethlehem and Wild Tulips all sourced in Wales, will also be planted at the village green.
The Community Art project is part art of the section 106 funding that relates to the St James’ Gardens housing development.
Wick Community Councillors have held meetings with the Vale Council, the appointed artists Owen Griffiths and Fern Thomas, and Studio Response who represent David Wilson Homes. The Community Council were generally supportive of the proposals, but expressed concerns, and these have been taken into account regarding:
1.0 Increases in charges that will be paid by residents of St James’ Gardens for the cost of maintenance when the management company takes over from David Wilson homes.
Assurances have been provided by the Vale Council and Studio Response stating that the artworks are safe, durable and low maintenance. The size of the planters has been reduced from 8 metres to 1.5 metres further reducing maintenance costs.
A maintenance manual will be forwarded to the management company and community council in due course.
2.0 Safety issues regarding design of the raised beds/planters.
The planters have been redesigned so their shape is now circular, and the pointed and sharp corners have been removed .
Planning Application
The planning application for the project has now been approved. See documents and plan below:
Click here – St James’ Gardens Wick Public Artworks October 2019 (pdf)
Click here – Wick Planting Scheme
Work will commence soon to install the 15 circular raised beds/planters. They are made of 8mm mild steel, and range from 0.8 metres to 1. 5metres wide. An entrance pergola/arch and bespoke benches will also be installed. Planting will take place as soon as the raised beds/planters are installed and will continue in the spring, 2020.
At Monks Wood, Sustainable Wick Community Group are also supported from section 106 funding, and benefit from the installation of external compost toilet and cob oven.
Sports Pavilion
July, 2019
In the last newsletter we reported that the Vale Council had no further use for the Sport’s Pavilion and that the Community Council had been in discussions with the Vale concerning its future use.
It has been provisionally agreed that the Community Council will take a 25-year lease on the Pavilion, a report recommending this will go to the Vale cabinet shortly. It is hoped that the Community Council will take the lease from 1st October 2019. In the meantime, the Pavilion continues to be looked after by Councillors on a voluntary basis.
The roof of the Pavilion is in a poor state of repair and is to be replaced during the summer months. As soon as dates for this work have been confirmed users of the Pavilion will be informed.
The current roof contains no insulation and heating costs are high, this will be rectified with the new one. Asbestos in the building will be removed as part of this work.
Councillors are currently considering various options for the future use of the building once it is taken over. There will be a full consultation with villagers before any decisions are taken.
Enquiries and Bookings for the Pavilion can still be made by email to wickcommunitycouncil@gmail.com or phone Conway Hawkins on 07710209437.
Multi-Use Games Area/Section 106 Funding
July, 2019
Meetings continue to be held with the Vale Council regarding the Section 106 Community funding, as a result of the development at St James’ Gardens.
It is proposed that some of the funding will be used to provide a multi-use games area on the rugby field, the lease of which has now been surrendered by Wick Rugby club, with the remaining sum allocated to St James’ Church for improvements there.
Some of this funding has already been allocated to Wick and Monknash Village Hall and for the repair of the roof on the Sports Pavilion.
The Village Green
July, 2019
For many years the Vale Council has maintained the Village Green, however the Council now has to make considerable saving and says that as the Green does not belong to the Vale, they can no longer continue to maintain it, and this includes cutting the grass.
Discussions are in hand with The Vale Council, Wick Cricket Club and the owners of the Green, the Duchy of Lancaster, over future maintenance of the Green, including the Children’s Play area, grass cutting and the replacement of the damaged railings and benches.
The Village Green is an important part of our community, used daily for leisure activities. The Community Council will do all it can to ensure that it continues to be kept in a good state.
As part of the Community Art Project it has been proposed to sow wildflower seeds on parts of the Village Green at the edges bordering Trepit Road. The Duchy of Lancaster has given its approval for this providing there are no objections from other users of the Village Green or residents.
Play Rangers
July, 2019
Once again, this year Wick Community Council will be supporting the Vale Play Rangers to deliver sessions in the Village.
The Play Rangers will be at the Pavilion on Tuesdays from 2.00pm to 4.00pm from Tuesday 23rd July until Tuesday 20th August 2019.
Play Rangers deliver services for children age 5 to 11 years with older young people welcome to attend and help.
Play Equipment
July, 2019
At the end of the financial year (2018/19) the Community Council received a grant to purchase equipment to enhance play opportunities for younger children in the Village.
The equipment includes some ‘Red Tops’, bug hunting and den making items, a Quadro play kit and some other items. The equipment will be put to good use during the school summer holidays.
If organisations in the Village would like to borrow it please contact the Clerk, Conway Hawkins on 07710209437 to make arrangements. It can be borrowed free of charge but there is an expectation that it will be returned in good conditions and that losses or damage will be made good.
Wick Community Council 