ONGOING anti-social behaviour in a Minehead recreation ground had led to ‘confrontations’ and the police being called on several occasions, councillors have been told.

Town clerk Ben Parker said the incidents had been happening in the Irnham Road recreation ground, and included footballs being kicked over a fence into the neighbouring Minehead Bowling Club premises.

Mr Parker said councillors needed to consider appropriate measures which could be taken to address the issue.

He said he had already held a meeting with representatives of the bowling club to discuss potential short and long-term solutions.

The bowling club had funded signage, which was installed by the town council, requesting that balls should not be kicked or thrown against its building.

The discussions had also included the idea of reinstating a metal goal end which had been removed when outdoor gym equipment was installed in the recreation ground.

Mr Parker said this could help to protect the bowling club’s toilet block and reduce the frequency of footballs entering its area.

Other options which had been considered included the installation of more benches in the recreation ground and the use of ‘section 106’ money which was received from housing developers.

Any enhancements would aim to protect the bowling club and add social and recreational value for everybody who made use of the recreation ground.

Councillors agreed to arrange a meeting of their recently formed community funding advisory group to discuss the matter and to try to identify potential projects for the Irnham Road recreation ground which might be eligible for ‘section 106’ funding applications.

They were told currently there was £21,500 of ‘section 106’ funding available to be spent on ‘community facilities’ in the Minehead area which needed to be used by next April or it would have to be refunded to the developer.