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ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the RECREATION GROUNDS COMMITTEE held at 8pm on 9 January 2007 at The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett.

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

Officers:
Ms. Carrie Lloyd (Clerk)

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
   
   Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs Charrett.
   
   
2. URGENT LATE ITEMS
   
   The Chairman advised that he had agreed to consider two urgent late items
   
   1. Suggestion of a fun fair at Recreation Ground
   2. Work for Round Table to do on volunteers’ day.
   The reason for urgency was;
   
   1. To reply to the correspondent as soon as possible
   2. To enable timely planning for the event.
   
   
3. TO CONFIRM AND SIGN THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 5 DECEMBER 2006
   
   It was noted that the heading for minute numbers 2 and 3 and the paragraph in minute 2 should refer to the meeting of 7 November 2006.
   Subject to the above amendment, the minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2006 were signed as a true and accurate record.
   
   
4. UPDATES FROM ACTIONS IN THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 5 DECEMBER 2006
   
   
   1. Lights around the War Memorial, Letchmore Heath – The Clerk advised that the contractor recommended by Hertfordshire County Council had failed to come up with a solution.  The Clerk undertook to continue to investigate the problem.
      (Action: Clerk)
      
      
   2. Suggestions for changes to Radlett Gardens – The Clerk advised that Mr Cornefert had not been aware of Tykeside Gardens and that she was continuing to find out the insurance implications of opening Radlett Gardens up to the brook.
      (Action: Clerk)
   
   
5. HEAD OF GROUNDS MAINTENANCE’S REPORT
   
   The Head of Grounds Maintenance advised that all work was progressing well.  During December there had been some considerable damage to the bowls green and a significant amount of broken glass around the castle during the Christmas week.  Another lamp post had been damaged along footpath A47 and Hertfordshire County Council’s emergency lighting team were called out because of the exposed wires causing a health and safety risk.  This made the number of lamp posts damaged 4 in the last 2 months. Cllr. Howley undertook to raise the problem of vandalism with the Crime Reduction Group.
   
   Most residents understood that the Council had stopped recycling Christmas trees and any that had turned up were advised to take them to Hertsmere’s recycling at Newberries car park on 8th January or Allum Lane Civic Amenity Site at any other time.
   
   
6. HEALTH AND SAFETY REPORTS
   
   
   1. General Reports - No accidents had been reported.  All inspections had been carried out with the exception of PAT testing.
   
   
7. PHILLIMORE RECREATION GROUND – SPORTS DEVELOPMENT FUND
   
   The first sessions had been held.  Paul Backman had visited local schools promoting the scheme which would now be held in the afternoon at weekends.
   It was suggested that an army display team for the re-launch may be suitable and the Clerk undertook to find out more.
   
   (Action: Clerk)
   
   
8. PARISH ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN
   
   Newberries Path and Tykesglade Bridge – Ian Gibbon, Countryside Management was still drawing up plans for Hertsmere Planning.  It was agreed that this should be discussed at Joint Councillors.
   
   (Action: Clerk)
   
   
9. POTENTIAL CHANGES TO THE AREA NEXT TO THE CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA KNOWN AS THE CASTLE
   
   The Clerk advised that the Play Forum set up to identify a Play Strategy for Hertsmere was not looking at distributing the lottery funding (if successful) by town.  This made the likelihood of Aldenham receiving any funding rather remote.  The Clerk had been advised to consider the Playful Ideas Lottery Funding which the Play Forum could assist in completing the bid.
   
   In the list of activities most enjoyed by children and young people, cycling was one of the top activities.  The Clerk had therefore obtained a quotation to create a cycle track for toddlers and young children to learn and develop their cycling skills and a “trim trail” for BMX bikers and pedestrians which would test the skills of BMX bike riders or footballers etc.  The castle would be removed by the grounds staff.  The quotation was £20,640 plus VAT.  Members’ views were sought.
   
   RESOLVED that
   
   1. the Clerk progress the scheme further including going out to consultation and obtaining users and other interested parties’ views; and
   2. a Summer Activities leaflet be commissioned for either the back page of Around Radlett or sponsored as a leaflet by local businesses, giving parents advice on activities for young people during school holidays.
   
   (Action: Clerk)
   
   
10. FUN FAIR AT PHILLIMORE RECREATION GROUND
    
    Members considered Supreme Amusements’ suggestion and RESOLVED that
    
    
    1. the Clerk be requested to obtain further details including when such an event could take place, what public liability insurance was held by the operator how much would the Council receive in income, where else had this type of fun fair been held and what size area would he wish to take up; and
    2. the Clerk be requested to investigate a fun fair and circus policy similar to that adopted by Hertsmere Borough Council.
    
    (Action: Clerk).
    
    
11. ROUND TABLE VOLUNTEERS DAY
    
    It was noted that the Round Table could not put up footpath finger posts due to constraints on time and funding. It was therefore RESOLVED that a litter pick be held one weekend with the assistance of Council Members and staff, if available, and the Borough Councillors be invited to join in too.
    
    
12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
    
    The next meeting of the Committee would take place on 6 February 2007 at 8pm. 

Closure: 8.50pm