ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the RECREATION GROUNDS COMMITTEE held at 8pm on 13th October 2003 at The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett.

Present:
Councillor J. Howley (Chairman)
Councillor Mrs A. Baker
Councillor S. Burke
Councillor D. Lambert
Councillor Mrs S.A. Reith
Councillor Mrs F. Turner

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

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillor Mrs V. Charrett, Councillor R.T.A. Worthy

2. TO CONFIRM AND SIGN THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 2nd SEPTEMBER 2003

The minutes of the meeting held on 2nd September 2003 were signed as a true and accurate record.

3. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 2nd SEPTEMBER 2003

1. Coal Markers – It was noted that this item had been carried forward for sometime, the Head of Grounds Maintenance was requested to give a definite date of completion. Mr Hills advised that it would be completed by 31st October.
   
   (Action: Head of Grounds Maintenance)
   
   
2. RAIFA Gardens – The wall had been built in time for the visit from representatives from Louveciennes. RAIFA proposed erecting a fence or similar on top of the wall to block out the unsightly bins which belonged to the petrol station. Mr Marley, President of RAIFA, would be liasing with Mr Hills regarding this.
   
   (Action: Head of Grounds Maintenance following contact by Mr Marley)
   
   
3. Tykeside Gardens –The Chairman had followed the matter up with a contact at Three Valleys Water and had been advised of a contractor who may be able to provide a cheaper quotation. The Clerk undertook to contact the contractor.
   
   (Action: Clerk)
   
   
4. Footpath 54 – No improvements had been undertaken by the site operator. The Clerk was investigating the original planning permission for the flood alleviation works to ascertain the conditions applying to the permission.
   
   (Action: Clerk)
   
   
5. Fees for use of Phillimore Recreation Ground – Following discussion at the previous meeting, the Clerk advised Members that the charges were “per pitch” and requested confirmation that Excel Sports should be charged for the three junior pitches marked out for their 7-a-side teams. Members so confirmed. Concern was also expressed at the inconsiderate parking by some parents on a Sunday afternoon. The Clerk was requested to write to Mr Morris requesting that he remind parents that the access way into the Recreation Ground was not available for parking and that parking too close to the bend in Gills Hill was a traffic hazard.
   
   (Action: Clerk)
   
   
6. Squirrels in Fir Spring Wood – The Clerk confirmed that a cull would take place when the leaves were off the trees.
   
   
7. Tree Management at Cobden Hill Dell – It was noted that whilst a land ownership dispute existed, no work could be carried out to the trees (if necessary), due to lack of access.
   
   
8. Cradle Swings at Letchmore Heath – The Clerk was requested to obtain a delivery date for the swings and safety surface.
   
   (Action: Clerk)
   
   
9. Lighting at Radlett Gardens – Although not able to be present at the meeting, Cllr Mrs Charrett had advised that she was still working on a specification for lighting Radlett Gardens.
   
   
10. Creation of Carnival Sub-Committee – It was suggested that the 41 Club be invited to send a representative to the Carnival Sub-Committee. The Clerk was requested to contact Mr Fraser to see if they would like to be included.
    
    (Action: Clerk)

4. HEAD OF GROUNDS MAINTENANCE’S REPORT

The Head of Grounds Maintenance advised that lavender and some of the grasses had been pulled up from Radlett Gardens. The plants had been put back and were being kept well watered to try to keep them alive.

The main workload at present was leaf collection. Due to the unseasonable weather, the hanging baskets were still being watered although the temporary Groundsman, Frank, had finished his 6 month contract with the Parish. Members asked whether an additional member of staff for two months would assist completion of work such as Parish paths Partnership etc. The Head of Grounds Maintenance confirmed that it would be extremely useful to have an additional member of staff. Members agreed that Mr Hills could ask Warren Hills if he was available for two months to undertake the work.

There was discussion about the significant overspend on overtime, as compared to the budget. The Clerk undertook to obtain the relevant information and to report back.

(Action: Clerk)

The Head of Grounds Maintenance and Mr Whitbread would be attending chain saw training at Oaklands College in November. As the training was being undertaken under the AGRE initiative, the training was free to the Council. Protective work wear would have to be purchased prior to the course for which budget provision existed.

Mr Hills advised that following the Institute of Groundsmanship Saltex Exhibition in September, he had become a member of the Institute and had attended one of their training courses, at a substantially reduced rate, on Bowls Green Keeping. The course had been very useful. Another course run by the Institute was for 2 days and held in Rugby. Members requested sight of the prospectus to assess its suitability for attendance by the Head of Grounds Maintenance.

The Head of Grounds Maintenance advised that he would be planting out the winter plants and spring bulbs shortly. Councillor Mrs Reith offered to purchase the bulbs and wallflowers on behalf of the Council as she was visiting some suppliers in the next few days. Mr Hills was requested to arrange for the box hedging at Radlett Gardens to be trimmed. Councillor Mrs Reith advised that she proposed replacing Alan Horsford’s vandalised plaque in Radlett Gardens with a brass one. Members agreed to this.

Mr Hills was requested to carry out extensive work to the beds around the Radlett Centre, paying particular attention to the ones with poor or compacted soil. Discussion ensued as to the best method to prevent cars etc driving over or parking on the beds. It was decided that a price should be obtained to create a raised planter beneath the Scots Pine but in the meantime further clearance and tidying work be undertaken on all of the beds.

(Action: Head of Grounds Maintenance / Clerk / Councillor Mrs Reith)

5. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Councillor Mrs Reith advised that the Almond tree outside the post office had been cut back and the pea lights would be installed by Lamps and Tubes during the following week. Thus far £2,963 had been committed from the budget. Lamps and Tubes had quoted £44 for a 4ft tree and £21 for 10m of white pea lights. Members agreed that 15 sets of trees and lights should be purchased for above the shops including those shopkeepers who had agreed to put trees and lights outside their shops in the parade running from Sainsbury’s to Coral Photographic.

The Clerk was requested to arrange for the street lights in Watling Street outside Boots to be repaired.

(Action: Clerk / Head of Grounds Maintenance)

6. ALLOTMENT LETTING RULES AND REGULATIONS

Members considered the revised Rules and Regulations and made amendments as shown in italics at Appendix A to these minutes.

RESOLVED that the Allotment Rules and Regulations as amended be approved.

(Action: Clerk/Deputy Clerk)

7. PLOTS 7 AND 8

Following Members’ decision at the previous meeting not to let the plot holder of plots 7 & 8 rent two plots in future, representations had been made by the gentleman concerned and a concentrated effort made to tidy and maintain the two plots.

RESOLVED that Mr McMahon be permitted to rent Plots 7 & 8 provided that he keep them to a standard acceptable to the Head of Grounds Maintenance.

(Action: Clerk)

8. DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT 1995

The Clerk gave a breakdown of areas that would be covered by September 2004. The main areas to consider were the children’s play areas at Phillimore Recreation Ground and Letchmore Heath, the pavilion, the bowls green and bowls club, the tennis courts and the allotments. It was recognised that some minor changes could be made to make a significant difference but an assessment needed to be made of all sites before progressing any one course of action.

The Clerk was requested to obtain a copy of Mr Hicks book “Accessible and Inclusive Play Space”.

(Action: Clerk)

9. ROSPA REPORT

Members noted that the Risk Assessment report by ROSPA on the Council’s play equipment raised no serious faults and the Head of Grounds Maintenance was requested to remedy the minor issues raised and to keep monitoring them.

(Action: Head of Grounds Maintenance)

10. SIGNPOST

Past Mayor of Hertsmere Borough Council, Mr Stuart Nagler has written to the Chairman suggesting a signpost be put at the war memorial pointing to significant places in Radlett. Members were grateful for Mr Nagler’s proposed donation but suggested that Radlett Gardens was a more appropriate location. Members were of the opinion that a wooden signpost would too easily be vandalised and that a metal one would be more appropriate. The Clerk was requested to obtain details of metal signposts from the Deputy Clerk for discussion at the next meeting.

(Action: Clerk)

11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting was scheduled for 8pm on 4th November 2003.

Closure: 9.50pm