Download a PDF file of this page here (right-click and 'save target as').

ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

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

Present:
Councillor R.T.A. Worthy (Chairman)
Councillor Mrs A. Baker
Councillor Mrs Charrett
Councillor J. Howley
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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor S. Burke and Councillor D. Lambert.

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor Worthy and Councillor Mrs Turner declared an interest in item 8 – Fence adjoining the Scout Hut Site as Members of the Scouting Movement.

3. TO CONFIRM AND SIGN THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 8 JULY 2004

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 July 2004 were signed as a true and accurate record.

4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 8 JULY 2004

•  Screening of compound – The Head of Grounds Maintenance advised that the cost of placing feather-edged fence panels around the compound to tidy it up would be £375. Some screen planting had been carried out in areas where the fencing could not be placed. Members suggested that as the steel boxes had now been painted and the site tidied, evergreen planting may be a more suitable and cheaper alternative to fencing. It was agreed that variegated ivy would be purchased to screen the compound. (Action: Head of Grounds Maintenance/Councillor Mrs Reith)

•  Area in front of Post Office – The Clerk had received confirmation from Hertfordshire County Council, Highways that there were no security issues relating to providing a bin outside the post office but if placed on the highway then their permission would be needed. A response was still awaited from Hertsmere Borough Council to see if they would be able to provide a bin or at the very least empty it if the Parish Council or other local organisation purchased it. The Clerk was requested to continue pursing the matter. (Action: Clerk)

•  Public Toilets at Radlett Gardens – The water had been turned back on in the Gardens. The Head of Grounds Maintenance undertook to find out if the water was back on in the toilets. (Action: Head of Grounds Maintenance)

•  Donation by Rotary Club – Prof. Beaver had advised Councillor Howley that Rotary would prefer to donate a signpost to the area. Councillor Howley undertook to discuss potential sites with Prof. Beaver and report back to the Committee. (Action: Councillor Howley)

•  Anti-social behaviour – Phillimore Recreation Ground – The Clerk had advised Ms. Braisher of the BMX track designed and built by Radlett Youths in Firs Spring Wood with the approval of the Parish Council.

•  Phillimore Recreation Ground – Tennis Courts – Members had received copies of the quotations and specifications from the 3 suppliers. Members requested that details of work undertaken in the area be obtained, particularly from Chiltern the preferred supplier, so that they could be visited. It was noted that the Finance and General Purposes Committee would be considering funding options at its next meeting. (Action: Clerk)

•  The Radlett Centre – The Head of Grounds Maintenance was requested to consider additional hanging baskets on the lamp posts outside the Radlett Centre and one on Watling Street by the new wine bar. The Head of Grounds Maintenance undertook to obtain some quotations prior to budget setting for 2005/06. (Action: Head of Grounds Maintenance)

5. HEAD OF GROUNDS MAINTENANCE'S REPORT

The Head of Grounds Maintenance advised that the shed had been painted in the compound and the showers repaired in the pavilion. The pond lining had been completed in Fir Spring Wood. The fountain in Radlett Gardens had been repaired and the water had been switched back on by Hertsmere Borough Council. The Head of Grounds Maintenance was requested to ascertain whether the public toilets in Radlett Gardens were flushing or properly locked off from public use. (Action: Head of Grounds Maintenance)

Grounds staff were now cleaning the car park and outside area of the Radlett Centre twice weekly.

The Iseki tractor required repairs to its steering but it was proving difficult to get the fault fixed. The pump on the watering tractor required replacing as the spare parts were no longer available.

A complaint had been received regarding the tipping of rubbish in Scrubbitts Wood along the access way to the rear of properties in The Crosspath. The Head of Grounds Maintenance was requested to remove any debris and look at the possibility of fencing the Council's land to prevent further fly tipping. The Clerk undertook to write to residents of The Crosspath requesting their help in catching the people fly tipping. (Action: Clerk and Head of Grounds Maintenance)

6. ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR – PHILLIMORE RECREATION GROUND

The Clerk advised that Sandra Braisher, Youth Worker with Hertfordshire Constabulary had been advised that the Council raised no objection to the use of Phillimore Pavilion for diversionary youth activities.

The Head of Grounds Maintenance had programmed the filling in gaps in hedgerows into the Autumn work schedule.

An application for Parish Paths Partnership funding had been submitted to Hertfordshire County Council which included the supply and fitting of Kissing Gates at 3 entrances/exits to the Recreation Ground. The outcome of the bid was awaited.

It appeared that the majority of the anti-social behaviour had reduced since the last meeting but police were continuing to target the area when they could.

7. COBDEN HILL ALLOTMENTS

The Clerk had written to residents regarding the use of the allotments, responses were awaited. Fencing / marking out of the Council's land would be carried out in the Autumn. (Action: Head of Grounds Maintenance)

8. PHILLIMORE ALLOTMENTS

The Chairman advised that he had walked the allotments with the Head of Grounds Maintenance. Some of the allotments were not being cultivated or kept in a tidy state. Members requested that a letter be sent to allotment holders asking them to keep their allotments in order, advising them that the Council now had a waiting list for allotments should they wish to give their one up and reminding them of Condition 13 of the tenancy of an allotment. (Action: Deputy Clerk)

9. FENCE ADJOINING THE SCOUT HUT SITE

The Clerk advised Members that the owner of 3 Scrubbitts Park Road and Land Registry had not been able to provide details of ownership and responsibility regarding the fence.

The Clerk had written to the owner of 3 Scrubbitts Park road advising that the fact that the Parish Council had in the past carried out work to the fence in no way implied that the Council had legal responsibility for its maintenance, nor was there any law requiring a specific type or height of fencing to be erected between two properties.

The site was public land and had to remain open to the public, only two specific areas within the site are let to the Scouts and Guides. The barbed wire he had placed over the Council's land was a health and safety hazard and must be repositioned over his own property or removed, if not by him then by the Council as responsible land owner.

The Council's grounds staff had been requested to remove the barbed wire after 1 st September if it remained over Council land. (Action: Head of Grounds Maintenance)

10. PARISH ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN

The next meeting of the co-ordinating group would be in the Autumn.

11. LIGHTING AT RADLETT GARDENS

Councillor Mrs Charrett advised that a quotation for the design, plan, groundwork and wiring had been received for £8,670 further information was awaited from another company but it was anticipated that the whole project would cost about £15,000.

12. PHILLIMORE RECREATION GROUND – PAVILION UPGRADE

The revised drawings from Mr Bedowes to take into consideration the Disability Discrimination Act in relation to access to the pavilion and provision of a disabled shower were awaited. (Action: Clerk)

13. SALTER'S FIELD

Councillor Howley had spoken to a representative from the County Council regarding infilling the Dells. His opinion was awaited prior to contacting three potential landfill contractors to discuss income generation. (Action: Councillor Howley)

14. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

The Head of Grounds Maintenance was requested to chase up Lamps and Tubes to arrange collection of the Council's lights. Councillor Mrs Reith undertook to discuss the removal of the cross street wires with Lamps and Tubes. (Action: Cllr Mrs Reith/Head of Grounds Maintenance)

15. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting was re-scheduled for 8pm on 5 October 2004.

Closure: 9.15pm