Issue - meetings

Cabinet considered proposals for the Jackey Baker Recreational Grounds. The proposals were for Cabinet’s approval for improvements at Jackey Bakers Recreation Ground. The report that was discussed referred to a petition that was received by the Council in June 2023 about the management of Jackey Bakers Recreation Ground and describes the actions taken since then. The recommendations proposed in the Cabinet report included the demolition of the existing pavilion subject to planning prior approval being granted at the Planning Committee held on the 13th December 2023.

Following demolition it was proposed that temporary facilities be provided with team changing rooms, showers, officials changing, storage and toilets. The report also proposed the adoption of a master plan (attached as Annex 1 to the report) for the future development of the site. The master plan proposals were not currently funded but the adoption of the plan will inform direction and represent a first step towards securing the required funding for the long-term future of Jackey Bakers. The report further proposed that authority be delegated to investigate the options for a future development on the site based on the master plan, including car parking, a new pavilion and other sporting/recreational facilities that might enhance the offer at the site.

Members were advised that a further report will be presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Panel and the Cabinet once these options have been further explored.

The following Members spoke under Council Procedure Rule 201:

Councillor Rogers;

Councillor Rattigan;

Councillor Will Scobie;

Councillor Austin.

Councillor Albon proposed, Councillor Duckworth seconded and Cabinet agreed the following, to:

1.  Approve the demolition of the existing pavilion on the basis of health and safety (subject to the Local Planning Authority giving prior approval*);

2.  Approve the purchase of a temporary portacabin style changing facility once demolition has occurred;

3.  Approve a public engagement exercise to inform the master planning for Jackey Bakers, based on  Section 1 the draft master plan attached at annex 1;

4.  Explore facilities that will be installed that will encourage safe enjoyment of Jackey Bakers by girls and young women;

5.  Ensure the temporary changing facilities are properly insured and secured;

6.  Delegate authority to the Chief Executive Officer to investigate the options for a future development on the site based on the master plan, to include a new car park, new pavilion (to include changing facilities) and other sporting/recreational facilities that might enhance the offer at the site. A report will be represented to the Overview and Scrutiny Panel and the Cabinet once these options have been further explored;

and

That Cabinet Recommends to Council that:

1.  A one-off 2023/24 supplementary General Fund Revenue budget of £370,000 be approved, for the demolition of the existing pavilion and the provision of a temporary portacabin facility, to be funded from the Risk Reserve.

*Local Planning Authority approval was granted on 13 December 2023.

Mike Humber, Director of Environment introduced the item and made the following key points:

• This report set out proposals for Cabinet’s approval for improvements at Jackey Bakers Recreation ground;
• The report referred to a petition that was received by the Council in June about the management of Jackey Bakers and describes the actions taken since then;
• The report also proposed the adoption of a master plan (attached at Annex 1 to the report) for the future development of the site. The master plan proposals were not currently funded but the adoption of the plan would inform direction and represent a first step towards securing the required funding for the long-term future of Jackey Bakers;
• The report further proposed that authority be delegated to investigate the options for a future development on the site based on the master plan, including car parking, a new pavilion and other sporting/recreational facilities that might enhance the offer at the site;
• A further report would be presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Panel and the Cabinet once these options had been further explored;
• The recommendation included the demolition of the existing pavilion subject to planning prior approval being granted at the meeting of Planning Committee on 13 December 2023;
• Following demolition, it was proposed that temporary facilities were provided with team changing rooms, showers, officials changing, storage and toilets.

Councillor Joanne Bright spoke Council Procure Rule 20.1.

Speaking under 20.1 the Member made the following points:

• They welcomed the much needed investment in the Jackey Bakers recreation ground. They asked if future park designers would specifically consider the needs of girls and young women in these new plans;
• Women and girls were much less likely to use sports fields than men and boys and they frequently did not feel comfortable visiting these spaces as they were not being designed with their needs in mind;
• Recent research from Leeds University and the charity ‘Make Space for Girls’ identified issues such as a lack of social seating, well-lit paths, a lack of toilets and a focus on facilities favoured by boys as reasons why girls were less likely to use parks than boys;
• The research showed, teenagers using multi-use games areas (such as football fields and basketball courts), were 92% boys and young men;
• Facilities such as tennis courts, play spaces and outdoor gyms were more likely to be used by girls; but still these were only 34%;

• The draft master plan for Jackey Bakers imagined a facility used by the whole community but in reality, these types of facilities did not properly cater for 50% of the population. Teenage girls were less likely to exercise outside than teenage boys and this was not going to change unless gender mainstreaming was applied in the planning and design of parks and recreational spaces;
• The proposed investment in this large recreation site seemed like the perfect opportunity for Thanet District Council to lead by example and prove that teenage girls had as much right to outdoor fun as teenage  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21

Ms Tyrell presented a petition requesting that the Council improves its management of  Jackey Bakers. This included improvements towards the facilities for football matches,  bins to improve the amount of littering, updated and working changing room facilities and  a hard standing car park to improve congestion. The proposed response notes that such  improvements would be looked into by the Open Spaces team, this included signs  regarding no parking, improvements to the facilities for football matches and additional  bins. 

Members noted that the petition had been signed by over 1500 people: 

“Jackey Bakers is a public open space, given to the people of Ramsgate, by Dame Janet  back in 1924. Over the years, we have seen a decline in the way Jackey Bakers is  managed. We want a safe place to be able to walk our dogs, somewhere the children  can run around and improved facilities for the weekly football matches. Jackey Bakers is  lacking bins, both normal waste and dog waste. More bins should improve the amount of  littering that is left on a daily basis. The changing room has had no hot water or electricity  for a couple of years, meaning the footballers have nowhere to change or clean up. The  football pitches are in a very poor state, not being rolled and the grass not being cut,  especially around the goals. This is causing injuries each week. Car parking is also  another concern. Planning permission has previously been requested for a hard standing  car park to be built at the Sainsbury’s end of Jackey Bakers, yet has never happened.  Highfield Road is becoming congested due to the amount of cars being parked there on a  Sunday morning, and only recently caused issues for emergency services to get through.  Each week the pitches are in use, funds are accumulating, but where is this money

going? Some weeks, this amounts to just over £400! So let’s all come together and make  Jackey Bakers fit for purpose, by the people of Ramsgate, for the people of Ramsgate!” 

During the debate the Leader noted that he would consider the petition at a future Cabinet meeting. Following the debate by Members, the petition was noted.