ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the RECREATION GROUNDS COMMITTEE held at 8pm on 9th June 2003 at The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett.

Present:
Councillor Mrs A. Baker
Councillor D. Lambert
Councillor Mrs S.A. Reith

Officers:
Mrs Carrie Lloyd (Clerk)
Mr Fred Hills (Head of Grounds Maintenance)

1. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

In the absence of Councillor Howley, Councillor Mrs Reith was elected Chairman for the meeting.

2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillor S. Burke, Councillor Mrs F. Turner and Councillor R.T.A. Worthy

3. TO CONFIRM AND SIGN THE MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS HELD ON 2ND APRIL AND 20TH MAY 2003

The minutes of the meetings held on 2nd April and 20th May were signed as a true & accurate record.

4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS HELD ON 2ND APRIL AND 20TH MAY 2003

1. Coal Markers – These had now been painted by the Grounds staff. It had been suggested that the marker located outside the synagogue may require resetting.
   
   (Action: Head of Grounds Maintenance)
   
2. Christmas Lights - Councillor Mrs Reith advised that she had requested a quotation from Lamps and Tubes for lighting the Almond tree outside the post office in anticipation that Royal Mail would grant consent for the Council to tidy up the site, lop some of the branches on the tree and light it for Christmas 2003.
   
3. RAIFA Gardens - Councillor Howley had spoken to the Chairman of RAIFA, Mrs Marston. It had been agreed that, pending the erection of a brick wall by the Council, RAIFA would maintain their own garden. The Clerk had offered Mrs Marston some of the bedding plants left over from the Council’s own stock at cost price.
   
4. Tykeside Gardens – The Clerk was still pursuing the installation of a water pipe at the gardens.
   
   (Action: Clerk)

5. HEAD OF GROUNDS MAINTENANCE’S REPORT

The Head of Grounds Maintenance advised that all hanging baskets had been put up and Tykeside Gardens filled with geraniums. Councillor Mrs Reith had supervised and participated in a concentrated effort by grounds staff to clear the majority of weeds from Radlett Gardens and plant the plants purchased with money donated by the Radlett Horticultural Society.

The gate at the Cricket Club car park had been damaged again and had been reinforced with a more substantial barrier and post. It had not been possible to put in the pond liner yet but this was planned for later in the month. The following week, it was proposed to carry out the program of hedge cutting.

Members noted the program of work complied by the previous Head Groundsman and clerk. It was agreed that this required substantial changes to reflect the actual work program carried out. Work planned for June included;

• Repairing the fence on the Scout Hut site
• Catch up with Parish Paths Partnership worked listed for 2002/03
• Carry out Parish Paths Partnership work for 2003/04
• Continue limited clearing work at Scrubbitts Park Wood
• Continue work at Radlett Gardens (planting and weeding)
• Carry out tree maintenance at Tykeside Gardens (diseased trees)
• Look at repairing lights around War Memorial at Letchmore Heath

Members noted that the Parish Paths Partnership work had been discussed at the Footpaths Sub Committee earlier in the evening. The main delay on the 2002/03 work related to Footpath 40 as the farmer’s permission was required to go on site and the field had not yet been cut for hay. Work to Footpath 42/40 would be completed by mid July.

(Action: Head of Grounds Maintenance)

6. PUBLIC FOOTPATH CLEARANCE

Members advised of the untidy state of the footpath to the rear of the Station running through to Radlett Park Road and the footpath to the rear of the shops running from Aldenham Ave to the Crosspath. The Clerk undertook to contact Hertsmere Waste Services to ask their street sweeper to clear the area.

(Action: Clerk)

7. PEST CONTROL

The Clerk advised of an email received from Roger Spurrier, Principal Environmental Health Officer from Hertsmere Borough Council.

Mr Spurrier had written concerning the constant problems with rats at Radlett Gardens and the pond at Letchmore Heath. Hertsmere Borough Council now had a method of dealing with rats using covert baiting stations. These looked identical to drain inspection covers that are set into the ground in an inconspicuous position with pipes that lead in from either end. Bait would then be put inside the enclosed chamber. The lids would be locked and bait renewed every 6/8 weeks as necessary. The cost would be £100 to install and £20 for each baiting. It was suggested that they would then be left in place, constantly baited and be much more effective than treatments from time to time.

The Committee requested that the Clerk find out further details concerning the bait and report back to the next meeting.

(Action: Clerk)

8. HIRE OF FOOTBALL PITCHES – PHILLIMORE RECREATION GROUND

Members noted that an item would be placed on the agenda of the next meeting of the Committee to discuss Radlett Football Club’s letter of 14th May and other pricing issues.

(Action: Clerk)

9. JOHN LAWSON’S CIRCUS

Noted that John Lawson’s Circus had suggested visiting Radlett in May 2004. Members raised no objections to the Recreation Ground being let after the football fixtures had been completed.

10. CLEARANCE OF LETCHMORE HEATH VILLAGE POND

Members noted the letter from Mr Shaw of Letchmore Heath requesting the Parish Council’s approval to the Village Trust and Countryside Management Service assessing the pond to establish if anything can be done to improve the cleanliness of the pond. As this involved no financial input from the Council, Members raised no objections.

11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

1st July 2003 at 8pm.

12. RESOLVED that the following items contained confidential information as defined in the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 and the press and public were excluded from the meeting.

1. - Report on Mr G Hall

13. REPORT ON MR G. HALL

Members noted the successful outcome of discussions with Mr Hall following the assistance of CP Associates and clarification of the consultant’s report.

Closure: 8:50pm