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ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the RECREATION GROUNDS COMMITTEE held at 8pm on 6 June 2006 at The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett.

Present:
Councillor Lambert (Chairman for the meeting)
Councillor Mrs Baker
Councillor Mrs Charrett
Councillor Howley
Councillor Worthy

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

1. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

Councillor Lambert was elected Chairman for the meeting.

2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs Balen and Councillor Burke.

3. TO CONFIRM AND SIGN THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 9TH MAY 2006

The minutes of the meeting held on 9th May 2006 were signed as a true and accurate record.

4. UPDATES FROM ACTIONS IN THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 9TH MAY 2006

1. Lights around the War Memorial, Letchmore Heath – The Clerk would be contacting another electrical contractor in due course.
   
   
2. Trees at Scrubbitts Wood – It was understood that the Guides would be contacting the Clerk shortly as they did not have sufficient funds to carry out the work.  The Committee stressed that the cutting back of the ivy was required at present and only once it had died back could a full assessment be made of the tree work required.  If at this stage the Guides were unable to pay a tree contractor, they would have to consider asking the Council for a grant. (Action: Clerk)
   
   
3. Allotment Water tanks – The tanks sourced by the Head of Grounds Maintenance were not big enough and he would be looking at other suppliers.
   
   
4. Letter to allotment holders – The Deputy Clerk had advised that some of the allotments detailed were being given up.  Members requested an update for the next meeting. (Action: Deputy Clerk)
   
   
5. Local Heritage Initiative Website – The Clerk had successfully added thumbnails and would be adding full pictures in due course.
   
   
6. Tykesglade Bridge - Councillor Howley had followed the lack of progress up with Mr Hardstaff but no further action had arisen.  Councillor Howley advised that he would be taking the matter further. (Action: Councillor Howley)
   
   
7. Gravel Allotments – The Clerk had responded to Mrs Slade.

5. APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO SUB COMMITTEES AND A STEERING GROUP

Members RESOLVED that the following be appointed for the ensuing Municipal Year;

Festival Sub Committee – (8 Members)

Councillor Mrs Charrett
Councillor Howley
Councillor Worthy

Co-opted

Gauridasa Adhikari
Sylvia Cohen
Roger Housechild
Giles Walker
Mary Wright

Footpaths Sub Committee – (6 Members)

Councillor Lambert
Councillor Worthy
Councillor Mrs Turner

Co-opted

Geoffrey Smyth
Brian Hyde
David Bagon

Phillimore Multicourt Steering Group – (3 Members)

Councillor Howley
Councillor Mrs Baker
Councillor Mrs Griffiths

6. TO NOTE THE MINUTES OF SUB COMMITTEES

The minutes of the Festival Sub Committee held on 20 April 2006, 11 May 2006 and 25 May 2006 were noted. 

7. HEAD OF GROUNDS MAINTENANCE’S REPORT

PHILLIMORE RECREATION GROUND

The Regulations had changed for the storage of diesel and the Council’s supplier could no longer deliver barrels.  The price of a bunded tank which met the new Regulations, would be approximately £700.

ALLOTMENTS

As reported earlier the Head of Grounds Maintenance was having to source other water tanks for the allotments.  Some allotment holders were complaining about the weeds from neighbouring plots.  It was agreed that a walkabout should take place in September and those plot holders not cultivating their plots in accordance with the Allotment Rules and Regulations should not get automatic renewal of their allotment without remedying the situation first. (Action: Head of Grounds Maintenance / Deputy Clerk / Chairman of Recreation Grounds Committee)

THE RADLETT CENTRE AND WATLING STREET

The hanging baskets were all up and the new barrier troughs installed on the Radlett Centre balcony.  All flower beds were planted out.

ALDENHAM GREEN

A tree at Aldenham Green had bleeding canker and honey fungus and had been removed by Ken Scott following permission by Hertsmere’s Tree Officer.  Another tree that was the responsibility of Highways also had honey fungus and Hertsmere’s Tree Officer had undertaken to report it to the County Tree Officer.

8. 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.

The Clerk, Head of Grounds Maintenance, Dave Nicoll and Gary Hall were all undertaking the Certificate in Health and Safety.

9. PHILLIMORE RECREATION GROUND – IMPROVEMENT WORKS

Work had started on 22 May and was progressing well. The Clerk had attended a meeting with representatives from Groundwork and Barclays to discuss the Development Plan which Barclays Spaces for Sport would fund for 3 years.  It had been agreed that a Steering Group would need to be set up involving Councillors and local residents.  The Clerk had arranged a meeting with the Sports Development Manager to discuss his input to the Development Plan and would report back to the next meeting. (Action: Clerk)

10. PARISH ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN

A planning application had been submitted to Hertsmere Borough Council for the notice board, permission would take about 5 weeks.  It was hoped that the walks leaflets would progress quickly but may be delayed by a change of officer at the CMS.

The car park required some repair work, mainly laying of more gravel which would be carried out by the grounds staff. (Action: Clerk)

11. USE OF THE PAVILION BY CRUSE

Cruse were hoping to establish their Bereavement Service in Radlett and required a room within which to carry out training for their volunteers.  Had the Youth Club been available on the dates they required the hire fee would have been less than hiring the Pavilion.

Members RESOLVED that Cruse be offered the Pavilion at the same rate as the Youth Club and the 10% regular bookers’ discount at VAT inclusive rates as follows;
Rate for 9am - 5pm Saturday 23 Sept, 21 Oct & 9 Dec will be £63 per session TOTAL = £189

Rate for 7.30pm - 10pm Thursday evenings 28 Sept, 5th, 12th & 19th Oct, 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th Nov, 7th Dec will be £32.40 per session TOTAL = £324.

12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The Walkabout – Members were invited to meet at King George V Playing Fields car park at 6pm on 12 June.  The walkabout would start at Cobden Hill Dell then by car to Pegmire Lane and then by car to Letchmore Heath pond and playground.

The next meeting of the Committee would take place on 11 July 2006 at 8pm.

Closure:  9.05pm