Has there been a risk assessment for the proposed paddling pool?

IT is nice to know that the pancake event in Okehampton has eventually taken place, despite the setback initially caused by insurance considerations.

However, there is a lesson to be learned from this affair when one considers the proposal for a paddling pool in Simmons Park and its liability to litigation.

Has the town council carried out a detailed risk assessment? If not, why not? It is paramount that they should.

We all have to face the fact that we now live in a society where the claims-culture is a way of life, a second source of income to some! The paddling pool could well leave the town council wide open to litigation. Large claims could result, the council tax precept could easily double, or even treble.

This is not scaremongering. The compensation culture has given rise to huge increases in court damages over the last five years. Serious consideration must be given to this project before it proceeds any further.

Outdoors in Simmons Park it is too risky, indoors in the Parkland Sports confine, where supervision, safety and hygiene can be closely controlled, is acceptable.

M Wadmore

18 Fern Close

Okehampton