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ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the RECREATION GROUNDS COMMITTEE held at 8pm on 7 June 2005 at The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett.

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

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

1. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

Councillor Worthy was elected Chairman for the ensuing municipal year.

2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Howley and Councillor Mrs Reith.

3. ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING

At 8.02pm the meeting was adjourned to enable Mr Embleton and Mr Page of Radlett Bowls Club to address the Committee.

The meeting reconvened at 8.12pm.

4. TO CONFIRM AND SIGN THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 17 MAY 2005

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 May 2005 were signed as a true and accurate record.

5. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 17 MAY 2005

(1) Donation by Rotary Club – There was no further update on this.

(2) Dogs in Phillimore Recreation Ground –Hertsmere Borough Council's dog warden had spoken to the Clerk but it appeared that there was little that could be done at present. She had however visited the Recreation Ground and left some free dog mess bags and discussed the future of dog enforcement with the Head of Grounds Maintenance. Once Hertsmere Borough Council had established wardens it was proposed that the grounds staff would be able to carry out this function on the Council's land. She had offered to carry out some rounds with the grounds staff once the authority was in place to give general guidance on what was permitted in law.

(3) Prunus trees in Gills Hill Lane and Craigweil Avenue – The Clerk had not yet heard back from Hertfordshire Highways.

(4) Vandal proof goal posts – Councillor Mrs Charrett advised that the Festival Youth Fund had agreed to donate £1,600 towards vandal proof goal posts.

6. REFERRAL BACK BY COUNCIL 31 MAY 2005 - REVIEW OF FEES AND CHARGES FOR 2005/06

Members considered the representations made by Radlett Bowls Club and RESOLVED that the fees and charges as agreed at the previous meeting be agreed but the Bowls Club, by hiring land for more than 10 games, were eligible for a zero rated VAT charge of £4,255.32.

The Clerk was requested to gather the necessary information on expenditure on the bowls green to enable a more structured increase to be introduced in 2006/07 for three or five years.

7. TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATIONS WITHIN THE MINUTES OF SUB COMMITTEES

RESOLVED that the recommendations contained within the two sets of minutes detailed below be approved.

8. HEAD OF GROUNDS MAINTENANCE'S REPORT

RECREATION GROUND

•  A complaint had been received from a local resident regarding swearing by youths creating the BMX track in Fir Spring Wood. The Head of Grounds Maintenance had spoken to the youths who had undertaken to keep their noise level down and not swear. Unfortunately the work by the youths was being sabotaged and their shovels etc. being stolen.

•  The new tractor was due to have its first 50 hours service the next day.

•  Some youths had caused damage to the bowls green by skate boarding on it one evening. The Head of Grounds Maintenance had managed to carry out the repairs in a way that did not affect the Bowls Club matches too badly.

ALLOTMENTS

•  The Head of Grounds Maintenance advised that some plants appeared to be missing from the Council's greenhouses. Concern was expressed at the use of contract gardeners by allotment holders on their plots and the passing on of allotment gate keys to these companies.

•  Members were advised that allotments were for the use of residents of the Parish of Aldenham only. It was considered beneficial for the Council to refer non-residents onto Mr Strickland, agent for Lord Aldenham, who also maintained allotments BUT without a residential restriction.

•  Members requested that the Clerk draft a letter to all plot holders reminding them that if they moved out of the Parish Council area they would forfeit their tenancy on the allotment, that it was not transferable to any other person and keys to the allotment gate should not be passed to any other individual or company who maintained their plot on their behalf without the prior permission of the Council.

(Action: Clerk)

TYKESIDE GARDENS

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

RADLETT GARDENS

•  Some more stones had been stolen from Radlett Gardens.

RADLETT CENTRE

•  New baskets had been ordered and were arriving soon for around the lamp posts in the car park. They were being tried out as they were plastic with a reservoir to hold water.

9. HEALTH AND SAFETY REPORTS

Members noted that no accidents had been recorded in the accident book since the last meeting.

All inspections had been carried out. The Head of Grounds Maintenance advised that the plastic around some of the chains on the play equipment needed replacing.

The Annual Inspection reports by Zurich and ROSPA were noted and the Head of Grounds Maintenance confirmed that items highlighted in the reports were being rectified. It was agreed that a self closing gate must be fitted to the children's play area at Letchmore Heath.

10. LIGHTING AT RADLETT GARDENS

Members considered that the Finance and General Purposes Committee should be requested to fund the vandal proof lighting at Radlett Gardens from the current year's contingency. The estimated cost was £18,000. RESOLVED that the Finance and General Purposes Committee be so requested.

(Action: Clerk)

11. PHILLIMORE RECREATION GROUND

Members were advised that Duracourt had quoted £7,000 to carry out a temporary repair to one tennis court. Councillor Mrs Reith had advised that she had not been able to get a quotation from Chiltern Sports despite repeated requests. RESOLVED that no charge be made for use of the tennis courts until they had been repaired or refurbished and that a liability disclaimer be placed at the entrance to the courts.

The Clerk had seen three companies at the Recreation Ground to gain information and quotations regarding the development of the area into a multi-use games area. It was anticipated that the information would be available in the next month and she undertook to obtain further advice regarding repair of the tennis courts for consideration by the next meeting of the Committee.

Information regarding refurbishing, extending or replacing the pavilion was slower in that only one company requested to visit the site had done so. The Clerk would continue to follow this up with other builders.

(Action: Clerk)

12. PARISH ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN

Members noted that work to the pond at Letchmore Heath was progressing by the accelerated Heritage Fund application. Councillor Lambert expressed his concern that the estimated cost was still £25,000 despite the licence now granted to spread the silt on a neighbouring field.

13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting was the walkabout at 6.30pm on 13 June 2005 at King George V Playing Fields' car park. The next meeting of the Committee would take place at 8pm on 5 July 2005 .

Closure: 9.20pm
Chairman