Concern over who’s paying for ‘Mucky Park’

Maltby Town Council is in the process of taking over the management of Coronation Park from Rotherham Council.

There are concerns that this asset transfer could increase the precept in Maltby, with ratepayers still paying the usual amount to RMBC.

Cllr Simon Ball, Hellaby & Maltby West ward member on the borough council, said: “I want to make sure that we are not having a double tax on the residents of Maltby.

“I can’t understand or reason why Maltby Town Council wants to take on a park which is in such a derelict position, with out-of-date play areas, glass everywhere, rubbish everywhere, grass that’s not cut.

“We should have a park of the same standard as everywhere else, such as Clifton Park.

“Talk to residents and they won’t go in there.

“They call it the Mucky Park.

“It shouldn’t be the town council taking over RMBC responsibilities, at the burden of Maltby taxpayers.”

RMBC leader Cllr Chris Read clarified at last Monday’s cabinet meeting that the transfer was the town council’s idea rather than the borough looking to offload the park.

Cllr Dominic Beck, cabinet member for the environment, said anti-social behaviour at the park was the main issue causing the “crime and grime”.

He added: “In my view, it doesn’t matter who owns or manages the park until that issue is dealt with to some extent.

“I think we need to involve police in this as well, and senior officers, as we have done, to ensure that we can do that.

“We don’t want to see that park in a poor state of repair or reputation.

“We want to see it well utilised and well respected by residents.”

Paul Woodcock, RMBC’s regeneration and environment director, said he would meet Cllr Ball to discuss the situation.

Maltby Town Council did not respond to the Advertiser’s request for further details.