Letter: Most Effingham Residents Do Use the KGV Playing Fields

Published on: 30 Jan, 2018
Updated on: 30 Jan, 2018

The KGV Hall and playing fields.

From Liz Hogger

Lib Dem borough councillor for Effingham

In response to: Effingham Must Wake Up On the Issue of Playing Field Funding

I quite agree that nothing should be off the table (though I do think the ‘sheep option would not be welcome to the many people who walk their dogs on the KGV Fields…)

However, I must disagree with Simon Bisson’s assertion that the majority of Effingham residents do not use the KGV hall and fields. In fact, the last extensive survey that was done (in 2013 as part of the Neighbourhood Plan process) showed that 67% of residents use the KGV fields for walking, and nearly 50% use the playgrounds and the hall itself.

The KGV funding position has varied throughout the decades – sometimes residents (through the Parish Council) have subsidised other users, and sometimes vice versa.

The challenge as of now is to get a consistent and sustainable funding model in place, to make sure everyone pays fairly for the cost of KGV facilities they use, be it the rugby club, WI or Effingham residents.

So the next step must be finding out what residents do want at KGV, and what they are prepared to pay for those facilities through the precept if funding from elsewhere is not available. I’m pleased that is what the Parish Council is intending to do this year.

If all that residents really want is a field full of sheep, so be it. That would certainly make the Trustees’ lives a lot easier!

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