ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the RECREATION GROUNDS COMMITTEE held at 8pm on 3 February 2004 at The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett.

Present:
Councillor J. Howley (Chairman)
Councillor Mrs A. Baker
Councillor Mrs V. Charrett
Councillor D. Lambert
Councillor Mrs S.A. Reith
Councillor Mrs F. Turner
Councillor R.T.A. Worthy

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

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillor S. Burke

2. TO CONFIRM AND SIGN THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 6th JANUARY 2004

Members noted that Minute 13. - Phillimore Recreation Ground should have been Budget 2004/05.
Subject to the above amendment, the minutes of the meeting held on 6th January 2004 were signed as a true and accurate record.

3. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 6th JANUARY 2004

1. RAIFA Gardens – The Head of Grounds Maintenance was still awaiting contact by Mr Marley regarding RAIFA erecting a fence or similar on top of the wall to block out the unsightly bins which belonged to the petrol station.
   
   (Action: Head of Grounds Maintenance following contact by Mr Marley)
   
   
2. Footpath 54 and Flood Alleviation Works – The improvements had been carried out by the Environment Agency and the Flood Alleviation Works had proved successful in the recent heavy snow and rain fall.
   
   
3. Squirrels in Fir Spring Wood – The Clerk was requested to ask Mr Hobey to return to complete the cull as soon as possible.
   
   (Action: Clerk)
   
   
4. Cradle Swings at Letchmore Heath – The swing had been fixed into position. As soon as the weather improved grounds staff would be completing the work with the safety surface.
   
   (Action: Head of Grounds Maintenance)
   
   
5. Replacement plaque for Alan Horsford’s tree - The Head of Grounds Maintenance had fixed the plaque back into position.
   
   
6. Signpost – An error had occurred in the manufacture of the signpost. David Ogilvie, the suppliers, had undertaken to despatch the corrected signpost as soon as possible.
   
   
7. Screening of compound – The Head of Grounds Maintenance advised that he had contacted the Lawn Tennis and Squash Club regarding their screen netting and had been advised that the netting was provided free of charge each year by a sponsor. Members requested that the Head of Grounds Maintenance continue to seek the supplier of the netting or ask the Club if the Council could have their old netting once they were due to replace it. It was noted that clearance work had been carried out by the staff to tidy the site.
   
   (Action: Head of Grounds Maintenance)
   
8. Christmas Lights – The Clerk had not yet been successful in obtaining a current opinion on the suitability of the lamp posts in Watling Street for holding Christmas decorations. Members requested that she continue to press Hertfordshire County Council Highways.
   
   
9. Area in front of Post Office - Councillor Mrs Reith advised that no further progress had been made in contacting the person responsible for contracting out the grounds maintenance at Radlett Post Office.

4. HEAD OF GROUNDS MAINTENANCE’S REPORT

The Head of Grounds Maintenance advised that the grounds staff had carried out gritting during the recent snowfall. Not only had they gritted the Council’s land but also footpaths within the vicinity of the Recreation Ground that were particularly steep but not gritted by the County Council.

Approximately 10 stones had been stolen from Radlett Gardens and several moved from one raised bed to another. Replacements would have to be purchased along with some additional plants to replace those being vandalised as the youths climb on and off the raised beds.

The Head of Grounds Maintenance was requested to bollard the area behind the war memorial with concrete bollards to prevent parking by shoppers and local residents.

Members were please to note that Steven Veal had obtained his NVQ 2 in Grounds and Turf Management and that Joe Whitbread was undertaking his chain saw proficiency test following recent training.

Councillor Mrs Reith advised that she had received a donation of £50 from Radlett Rotary towards plants for the flowerbed at the Radlett Centre


5. PARISH ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN

Councillor Lambert advised that some plans had been identified with John Elvins and Tony Bradford from the Countryside Management Service.

• A survey had been carried out on the pond at Letchmore Heath. It had identified some action required specifically carrying out dredging work. The Village Trust were taking this further.
• It had been suggested that Scrubbitts Park Wood be looked at to provide an action plan following Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife Trust’s site survey.
• A riverside access and walk along Tykes Water was being considered.
• Means of viewing the badger sets at Patchetts Green.
• A survey of the archaeological ruins around the parish. Members particularly requested that the icehouse on the B462 belonging to the Manor of Aldenham be included.

Members requested that consideration be given to improving Tykes Glade and the bridge adjacent to Watling Mansions and work to the derelict triangle behind Beaver Travel in Watling Street.


6. EXCEL SPORT

Mr Morris had written to the Council expressing his concern at the fees for hire of the pitches. Members considered Mr Morris’ comments and RESOLVED that as some ambiguity existed concerning the current scale of fees and charges, the invoice 3289 dated 7/11/03 should be cancelled and Excel Sport be given use of two marked out junior 7 a side pitches on Sundays for £1,250 from September 2003 to 1st June 2004.

The Clerk was requested to ensure that the scale of fees and charges for the 2004/05 season was clarified before 1st April, this to include a restructuring to reflect the type of pitch being hired either per game, per hour or per pitch.

(Action: Clerk)

7. WORKS TO TREES

Members noted the quotations received for the list of works to trees. The Head of Grounds Maintenance confirmed that some work had been carried out by the original contractor employed to carry out the work in June 2003 since the last meeting which was in Scrubbitts Park Wood (dead tree leaning over) and lopping of trees along the allotment driveway. Prices for these works therefore needed to be deducted from the quotations.

As one contractor had only had sufficient time to quote for works to trees around the Recreation Ground it was agreed to award a contract to pollard approximately 27 Poplars around the sports field and fell 2 dead trees at a cost of £1050 to Herts Tree Surgeons and raising the crowns of the trees along the boundary of the Gravel Allotments to give clearance to the footpath and highway, be awarded to The F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Co. for the sum of £840 plus VAT. In view of the necessity of the work Members RESOLVED that the Finance and General Purposes Committee be requested to approve a budget overspend on financial code 6750 - Tree Felling of £620 in the current financial year.

(Action: Clerk)

8. TYKESIDE GARDENS – WATER POINT

The Clerk had contacted the Environment Agency concerning a Water Abstraction licence to take water from Tykes Water.

The Regulatory (Water Resources) Officer, North East Area Thames Region had advised that the abstraction would fall under the exemption of “agriculture other than spray irrigation- horticultural use”. A license would not be required. This was on the provisio that no method of spray was used for the watering and that the Council did not take water from the Tyke when water levels were low.

It was confirmed that the Head of Grounds Maintenance would be purchasing a generator and pump in due course.

(Action: Head of Grounds Maintenance)

9. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

The Clerk advised that Lamps and Tubes had confirmed that both sets of cables must be replaced before Christmas 2004. She had tried to contact a representative at Hertfordshire County Council Highways Department but had not yet been successful. The Clerk was requested to pursue the matter.

(Action: Clerk)

10. RADLETT FESTIVAL SUB COMMITTEE

Councillor Mrs Charrett advised a date had been set of 12/13 June. The programme was being drawn up and the next meeting of the Sub Committee was to take place on 5th February.

11. LIGHTING AT RADLETT GARDENS

Councillor Mrs Charrett advised that further information was still awaited.

12. PHILLIMORE RECREATION GROUND - PAVILION

The Clerk advised of four quotations received, one of which was from her brother;

Richard Lloyd - £650
Brian Smith £40 per hour (15 – 20 hours) - £600 - £800
Martin Bedowes - £125 (approx)

The difference in price reflected the qualifications of the individuals. Members RESOLVED that Mr Bedowes should be engaged as the type of work required was for Building Regulations only and did not require the input of a Chartered Architect.

(Action: Clerk)

13. RUGBY CLUB CAR PARK SIGN

The Head of Grounds Maintenance was advised that the sign required repair.

(Action: Clerk)

14. PATHWAY ADJACENT TO 53 COBDEN HILL

Members requested that the grounds staff clear and tidy along the pathway and a letter be sent to the owners of 53 Cobden Hill requesting that they clear the brambles from their property that block the footway.

(Action: Clerk / Head of Grounds Maintenance)

15. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting was scheduled for 8pm on 11 March 2004.

Closure: 9.45pm