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ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the RECREATION GROUNDS COMMITTEE held at 8pm on 17 May 2005 at The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett.

Present:
Councillor R.T.A. Worthy (Chairman)
Councillor Mrs A. Baker
Councillor S. Burke
Councillor D. Lambert
Councillor Mrs Reith

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

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs Charrett, Councillor Howley and Councillor Mrs F. Turner

2. TO CONFIRM AND SIGN THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 8 MARCH 2005

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2005 were signed as a true and accurate record.

3. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 8 MARCH 2005

1. Donation by Rotary Club – There was no further update on this.
2. Phillimore Recreation Ground – Tennis Courts – The Clerk advised that she had sought the advice of TP Consultants and it looked as though one large application could be submitted for the tennis courts, pavilion and football pitch drainage and this was to be discussed later on the agenda.
3. Cobden Hill Allotments – Members were advised that only one household had taken up an allotment. The Head of Grounds Maintenance was requested to mark out the Council's boundaries and secure the boundary with the residential properties to protect the Council's asset.
4. Dogs in Phillimore Recreation Ground – The Clerk was waiting to hear back from Hertsmere Borough Council's dog warden.
   (Action: Clerk)
5. Replacement Tractor – Members were advised that the tractor had been delivered.
6. Vandalism of goal posts – The Clerk confirmed that the repeated vandalism of the goal posts had been reported to Herts. Constabulary. The goal posts had been dismantled since the end of the football season.
7. Youth Diversion - Councillor Howley had held a meeting to discuss the options available and an update would be given later on the agenda.
8. Health and Safety Reports – Groundwork had undertaken to look at carrying out a survey of the football pitches for earth movement but it was thought that the only way of carrying this out would be to carry out an aerial survey.
9. Christmas Lights – Members noted that the newly installed LED lights at Radlett Gardens were white with a blue tinge rather than blue lights. All present were satisfied with the installation and the Clerk was requested to arrange for the bill to be paid once the outcome of the repairs to the Christmas tree lights was known.
10. Appointment of Grounds Staff – The Clerk confirmed that three month, self employed contracts had been offered to two candidates.

4. HEAD OF GROUNDS MAINTENANCE'S REPORT

RECREATION GROUND

•  The goal posts and nets had been vandalised twice more with the final damage so bad that new posts would have to be purchased. The remaining posts and nets had now been put away for the season.

•  Members agreed that, if possible, the Council's coat of arms should be put on the tractor.

•  The kissing gates for the recreation ground had been installed. There had been some problems with the noise created by the gate shutting and, following discussion with the manufacturer, the grounds staff were adding dampners and buffers to minimise the noise.

TYKESIDE GARDENS

•  Some shrubs had been stolen from the gardens and a report had been made to the police.

RADLETT CENTRE

•  Members noted that most of the flower beds had been cleared and periwinkle planted under the Scotts Pine. The Head of Grounds Maintenance advised that the remainder of the beds would be tidied in the next week or so. The Clerk was requested to approach the library again regarding the area outside their building.

(Action: Clerk)

Councillor Mrs Reith expressed her concerns again at the lack of action by Hertfordshire County Council in respect of the prunus trees reverting to shrubs at Gills Hill and Craigweil Avenue . The Clerk was requested to ascertain whether the County would pay the Parish to carry out the work.

(Action: Clerk)

5. HEALTH AND SAFETY REPORTS

Members noted that one accident had been recorded in the accident book. The Clerk advised that advice would be given to staff when lone working to ensure that staff were safe during the periods when on duty on their own.

6. REVIEW OF FEES AND CHARGES FOR 2005/06

Members RESOLVED that the fees and charges as attached at Appendix A to this report be approved. It was agreed that no charge would be made to The Noise for use of the tennis courts, pitches and pavilion during their week of activities in August.

7. LIGHTING AT RADLETT GARDENS

It was noted that a further quotation was being sought by Councillor Mrs Charrett. Members expressed concern at the environmentally intrusive black poles in Radlett Gardens . It was recognised that local societies liked to use them to advertise their shows but they were increasingly using the railings at the bottom of Shenley Hill it was therefore RECOMMENDED that the poles be removed.

(Action: Head of Grounds Maintenance)

8. PHILLIMORE RECREATION GROUND

Members had been circulated with the advice received from TP Consultants. It was RESOLVED that a large grant application should be drawn up to include a multi-use games area, new or refurbished pavilion, work to the pitches, new play equipment and incidental facilities. In the interim, it was RECOMMENDED that funding be given to repair one tennis court at Phillimore Recreation Ground (or two courts if there was little price increase) for the coming season.

(Action: Clerk)

A meeting had been held with Councillor Howley, Councillor Worthy, the Head of Grounds Maintenance, representatives from the police, Hertsmere Borough Council and Groundwork to discuss problems with youths BMXing at Phillimore Court . Bernice Curry from Hertfordshire Constabulary had agreed to find out the cost of temporary BMX ramps for possible use in the recreation ground. A meeting was scheduled for the next day to discuss progress thus far.

Members were shown the design of vandal proof goal posts with or without a steel back net. It was RESOLVED that a goal post be purchased from Baseline Leisure with the steel goal net provided the Festival Youth Fund was willing to contribute £1,600 towards the cost of purchasing it.

(Action: Clerk)

9. SALTER'S FIELD

Members noted the advice received from Hertfordshire County Council regarding landfill at the site and that they would not be likely to approve such an application.

It was suggested that the field could be used for a BMX track and it was agreed that this should be suggested at the meeting to be held with Bernice Curry regarding temporary facilities in the Parish.

Tabard Rugby Club

Members were advised that the Finance and General Purposes Committee would be considering the lease at its meeting the following evening. In light of the Rugby Club's solicitor's comments it was RECOMMENDED to the Finance and General Purposes Committee that the Club be offered a 25 year renewable lease in return for the club relinquishing the car park to the Parish Council.

10. PARISH ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN

Members noted that work to the pond at Letchmore Heath was progressing by the accelerated Heritage Fund application. It's outcome was awaited before plans could be put into place for work to commence in September.

11. USE OF ALDENHAM GREEN BY ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH

Members RESOLVED that the Church be permitted to use the green for their fair on 17 th  September.

12. ITEMS OF INTEREST FOR THE WALKABOUT

It was agreed that Members would meet at the King George V Car Park by the Rugby & Cricket Clubs. The Head of Grounds Maintenance was requested to arrange for the new tractor to be brought to the car park too. It was agreed that Salter's Field, the Dells and the Cobden Hill Allotments would be looked at.

13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting was re-arranged for 8pm on 7 June 2005 .

Closure: 9.45pm
Chairman

ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

CHARGES (commencing 1 April 2005)

Use of pavilion showers for an event £15 per hour or part thereof.

Tennis
Use of tennis courts by a child under 11 years old or an adult accompanying a child under 11 years old weekdays during school holidays – Free

VAT INCLUSIVE RATES