Town to take over parks and play areas in £123k deal

A town's parks and open spaces, including two cafes and two car parks, are to be taken over by the local town council.

It is part of Somerset Council's plans to hand over services and assets to town and parish councils, to save the larger authority money.

Minehead town councillors agreed the deal, which includes Blenheim Gardens, at a meeting on Tuesday night.

It will cost the town council £123,000 a year in staffing and further costs but it expects to make money from the cafes and car parks.

Minehead Town Council already owns some play areas and the town's allotments but from 1 April, it will take ownership of many more open spaces including Jubilee Gardens and cafe, Alexandra Road car park, The Parks, Blenheim Gardens and North Road car park.

The cafes are leased out to operators and the town council will receive the rental income.

Somerset Council has generally avoided handing over car parks, as they bring income, but the town council argued the North Road car park is important for Blenheim Gardens.

Alexandra Road car park has also been made an exception, as it had previously been identified as the possible site of a new swimming pool.

The town council said the new arrangements should "streamline service delivery, enhance maintenance standards, improve response times, and simplify open space management for the wider community".

It said there had been some confusion in recent months when the town council took responsibility for Blenheim Gardens planting and locking the gates as night, while Somerset Council remained the overall owner.

Somerset Council's report on the deal stated it would save £121,800 a year by handing over the services and assets, after allowing for loss of car parks income (£50,000) and income from the cafes and kiosk leases (£32,500).

Parts of the Esplanade will transfer to the town council under a long lease, but Somerset Council will remain responsible for clearing sand from the area.

Wellington, Wells, Bridgwater and Yeovil are among the other towns to have already agreed similar deals with Somerset Council.

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