Download a PDF file of this page here (right-click and 'save target as').

ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the RECREATION GROUNDS COMMITTEE held at 8pm on 6th March 2007 at The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett.

Present:
Councillor Worthy (Chairman)
Councillor Mrs Baker
Councillor Mrs Balen
Councillor S. Burke

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 Lambert.
   

2. TO CONFIRM AND SIGN THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 6 FEBRUARY 2007
   
   The minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2007 were signed as a true and accurate record.
   

3. UPDATES FROM ACTIONS IN THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 6 FEBRUARY 2007
   
   (i) Lights around the War Memorial, Letchmore Heath – The Clerk was still investigating the problem. (Action: Clerk)
   (ii) Suggestions for changes to Radlett Gardens – The Clerk undertook to contact the Environment Agency regarding opening up Radlett Gardens and Tykeside Gardens to the brook. (Action: Clerk)
   (iii) Sports Development Fund – The Clerk was still looking into various means to attract youths to the training programme. (Action: Clerk)
   (iv) Round Table Volunteers Day – Nothing further had been heard regarding the Volunteers Day.
   

4. HEAD OF GROUNDS MAINTENANCE’S REPORT
   
   The Head of Grounds Maintenance advised that both greenhouses were up and the staging erected inside.  Problems were still being experienced with youth nuisance at night on Fridays and Saturdays.  The castle area was proving to be the latest meeting/drinking area and the Head of Grounds Maintenance would be filling in the gaps in the hedge with holly and gating off the entrance so that it can be locked at night.  The Recreation Ground had also been graffittied one weekend but the paint was removed by grounds staff on the Monday.  It was agreed that the Crime Reduction Group would be requested to clarify when the Ward Constable increased his patrols of the area and to report back on his findings. (Action: Councillor Howley / Councillor S. Burke)
   
   The compost had been collected ready to pot on the plugs for the flowers for the hanging baskets.  The plugs would be delivered in week 12 (19th March).
   
   The old auditorium seating had provided the materials for new staging for the hanging baskets in the poly tunnel and old carpet from the auditorium would be laid in the back corridor of the pavilion.
   
   It was noted that only 5 letters/emails/phone calls had been received objecting to the allotment gate being moved.  Members requested that a notice be erected on the allotment notice board advising that as so few objections were raised the gate would be moved in the following month. (Action: Clerk)
   
   Concern had been expressed at the lack of control exercised by owners over their dogs, particularly when the activity was being carried out by owners and more than 14 dogs some mornings.  It was suggested that an article could be put in Around Radlett advising that as a Health and Safety issue the Council could not tolerate dogs not under the control of their owners.  It was also suggested that the Head of Grounds Maintenance should be able to issue fixed penalty notices and the Clerk was requested to discuss this with Hertsmere Borough Council Environmental Health. (Action: Deputy Clerk / Clerk)
   
   The Head of Grounds Maintenance confirmed that he would be looking at the lighting in Radlett Gardens within the week.
   

5. HEALTH AND SAFETY REPORTS
   
   (i) General Reports - No accidents had been reported.  All inspections had been carried out with the exception of PAT testing.
   

6. PHILLIMORE RECREATION GROUND – SPORTS DEVELOPMENT FUND
   
   The Clerk and Paul Backman, Sports Development Officer, had organised for the training to start on 21st April.  A banner and business card size advertisements had been printed and the adverts were being distributed.
   
   Members were keen to incorporate use of the new tennis courts and multi use games area into the Festival programme on 10th June, if possible.  It was suggested that once the football coaching finished at 2pm a mini youth football tournament could be held 4 or 5 a—side depending on age, 5 minutes each way.  Youth organisations may wish to put in teams i.e. scouts, guides, tabards, cricket club colts, synagogue youth groups etc. and the Festival Youth fund may like to pay for a trophy.
   
   The Clerk was requested to ascertain whether the Festival Committee would like to organise such a tournament or find a willing volunteer/parent.  If organising this was not possible but the Festival Committee would still like the tournament to go ahead, the Clerk was requested to report back to the Recreation Grounds Committee. (Action: Clerk)
   

7. PARISH ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN
   
   Newberries Path and Tykesglade Bridge – A meeting had been held with Officers at Hertsmere Borough Council which had proved very positive.  A site meeting was being arranged to discuss matters further and view the proposal on the ground.  Loss of the parking bays did not appear to be too much of a stumbling block, nor did the removing of the ticket machine provided the cost of doing so (approximately £2,000) was included in the project costs and did not fall on Hertsmere Borough Council to pay. (Action: Clerk)
   

8. POLICY ON HIRING OF PHILLIMORE RECREATION GROUND AND OTHER COUNCIL LAND
   
   Members considered the draft documents and RESOLVED that the Terms and Conditions of Hire as detailed in Appendix A and the Conditions for the use of Phillimore Recreation Ground or any Parish Council Land for the purpose of a fun fair, circus, filming or general entertainment as detailed in Appendix B be agreed.
   

9. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
   
   The next meeting of the Committee would take place on 3 April 2007 at 8pm.  It was noted that an item would be placed on the agenda for the next meeting regarding the Festival Youth Committee’s proposed use of the £9,500 raised towards Youth Activities in the Parish.