Meltham Town Council is delighted to announce that it has officially resumed the role of Corporate Trustee and day-to-day management of the Broadlands Recreation Ground. This transition marks a significant milestone in ensuring the long-term sustainability, safety, and accessibility of one of Meltham’s cherished community open space assets.
The Town Council is committed to revitalising the grounds, ensuring they remain a vibrant hub for sport, play, and relaxation for residents of all ages. Following the formal transfer from Kirklees Council Corporate Trustees, the Town Council is now the sole Corporate Trustee, with elected Meltham Town Councillors becoming the Trustees.
Completion of this process has taken several years, Former Town Mayor of Meltham, Kirklees Ward Councillor & Town Councillor Richard Noon commented;
“I’m delighted that after almost 4 years of negotiations, planning and putting the case forward, another asset in our Town is back in community ownership and management. It speaks volumes about how Independent led Town Councils can and do achieve great things when we work with our community, for our community.”
Town Mayor of Meltham, Cllr Lisa Coates added;
“I’m pleased to be leading the Town Council at this important moment. A lot of effort has already gone into this project by Meltham Town Council and I’d like to thank our Town Clerk, Mark Brook and Tara Ball (Community Projects Delivery Manager), for their persistence on this project. Now that the legal process is complete, we will soon begin work aimed at improving the Rec.”
The Council is currently in the process of finalising project costs and scoping works for the following key areas:
- Enhanced Security: Implementing measures to secure the perimeter of the recreation ground, providing greater peace of mind for local families and users.
- Pitch Revitalisation: Partnering with the West Riding FA to develop a strategic plan to upgrade and improve the quality of the playing pitches, supporting local grassroots football.
- Play Equipment Safety: Conducting rigorous, professional safety inspections of all children’s play equipment to ensure the highest standards of safety for the town’s youngest residents.
- Improved Accessibility: Prioritising accessible access points across the Rec, so that prams, wheelchairs etc can access the Rec from all points, whilst restricting access to unwanted vehicles such as motorbikes and quad bikes. This will ensure that the recreation ground is inclusive and easily accessible to all members of our community.
Town Mayor, Cllr Lisa Coates continued to say;
“We are thrilled to take on this responsibility; Broadlands Recreation Grounds is a vital space for our town. By taking over the management, we can now invest the time, resources, and strategic planning necessary to ensure it reaches its full potential as a safe, accessible, and high-quality facility for everyone to enjoy.”
The Council looks forward to working closely with residents and local stakeholders throughout this improvement process. Further updates regarding project timelines and community engagement opportunities will be shared as plans develop.
About Meltham Town Council:
Meltham Town Council is dedicated to serving the residents of Meltham by promoting the social, economic, and environmental well-being of the town and its community spaces.
Media Contact:-
Mark Brook – Town Clerk & RFO
Email: townclerk@melthamtowncouncil.gov.uk
Tel: 01484 362927
Website: Welcome to Meltham Town Council – Meltham Town Council
