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ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the RECREATION GROUNDS COMMITTEE held at 8pm on 14 February 2006 at The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett.

Present:
Councillor Worthy (Chairman)
Councillor Howley
Councillor Mrs Baker
Councillor Mrs Balen
Councillor Burke
Councillor Mrs Charrett

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

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Lambert.

2. TO CONFIRM AND SIGN THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 10 JANUARY 2006

The minutes of the meeting held on 10 January 2006 were signed as a true and accurate record.

3. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 10 JANUARY 2006

1. Moving permanent goal post from its current location – The goal post had been erected in the new location.
   
   
2. Lights around the War Memorial, Letchmore Heath – The Clerk had requested a quotation from David Webster Lighting to repair the lights and would chase them again for a response.
   
   
3. Phillimore Recreation Ground Large Roundabout – The Clerk was requested to obtain prices for a new roundabout before a final decision was taken by the Committee. (Action: Clerk)
   
   
4. Cost of Servicing the Gang Mowers – The Head of Grounds Maintenance advised that the gang mowers should be going away for repair within the week.
   
   
5. Flowers outside the Radlett Centre – Members commented on how nice the primula looked outside the Radlett Centre.
   
   
6. Radlett Gardens Lighting – The Head of Grounds Maintenance advised that he needed to look at one light which was out.
   
   
7. Salters Field – Members commented on the good job carried out in laying the hedge at Salters Field and clearing the pavement in front of it.  The Chairman advised that he had spoken to the Caravan Club to ascertain their interest in the site.  The meeting had been very productive and the Caravan Club would come back to the Council with proposals for the site in due course.
   
   
8. PAT Testing – The Radlett Centre Manager had confirmed that their PAT Testing equipment could be used.

4. HEAD OF GROUNDS MAINTENANCE’S REPORT

RADLETT CENTRE – As noted earlier, the beds had been planted. 

TYKESIDE GARDENS/LAUTERTAL GREEN - There were no plans to plant Tykeside Gardens during the winter but it had been planted with daffodils for the spring.

RADLETT GARDENS – It was suggested that a deterrent to the recent vandalism to the lights might be to fit them with a small alarmed motion sensor.  The Head of Grounds Maintenance undertook to look into this. (Action: Head of Grounds Maintenance)

SALTER’S FIELD – The Grounds staff had finished laying the hedge along Salter’s Field with its boundary along Watling Street and cleared the pavement.  Dead elms had been cut down in the field.

GRAVEL ALLOTMENTS – The Grounds staff had cut back the boundary fence along Heathbourne Road and cleared the pavement in front of it.  This work had generated quite a lot of public interest, mainly concern that the site was to be developed.  The Clerk had advised callers that the site was in the Green Belt and was unlikely to be developed in the near future.

NEW TRUCK – The Parish emblem was now on the new truck.

BASAL GROWTH – Grounds staff had started to remove the basal growth from trees in Gills Hill Lane as the growth was now affecting cyclists on the road.  Likewise the trees in Watling Street along Newberries Parade would be trimmed back so that they did not hit people in the eye.

5. TO CONSIDER CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED

Members considered two emails from local youth concerning the provision of BMX/skate facilities in the Parish.

The two biggest obstacles to providing a skate park would be possible locations and funding.  Whilst Salter's Field was popular last Summer, some people felt that it was too remote, the ramps a Phillimore Recreation Ground had raised concerns of noise to local residents.  The skate park at Borehamwood had cost £450,000 and served a much larger community than Aldenham Parish's community so any project would have to be scaled down, the Council also did not have any money at present for such a project.

A BMX dirt track was being built by some local young people with some assistance from the Grounds Staff at Salters Field, it was suggested that the young people may like to help out and that they could be put in touch with the young people already doing the work or just turn up at weekends.  The idea was that the track would be open to all to enjoy and not just those who designed and built it.  The Head of Grounds Maintenance was also going to mark out land at Cobden Hill Dell which would prove very challenging for mountain/BMX riding. 

Unfortunately this would not cater for skaters or skateboarders, however, if funding was granted for the tennis courts, the Council would be able to look at possibly providing some small elements for skaters & skateboarders, but it was recognised that it would not be as big as the young people would like.

It was suggested that the young people may like to help out at on the Festival Sub Committee and that they invited to the next meeting of the Sub Committee. (Action: Head of Grounds Maintenance/Clerk/Deputy Clerk)

6. 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 with the exception of PAT testing.

7. PARISH ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN

The work at Letchmore Heath was finished with the exception of the information board and publicity.  The Clerk would be meeting with CMS to discuss this shortly.

The Clerk was requested to arrange a meeting with Hertsmere’s Officers regarding Tykesglade Bridge as soon as possible. (Action: Clerk)

8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Committee would take place on 7th March 2006 at 8pm.

Closure:  8.45pm
Chairman