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ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the RECREATION GROUNDS COMMITTEE held at 8pm on 3rd April 2007 at The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett.

Present:
Councillor Worthy (Chairman)
Councillor Mrs Baker
Councillor Mrs Balen
Councillor S. Burke
Councillor Mrs Charrett
Councillor Howley
Councillor D. Lambert

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

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

   There were no apologies for absence.
   
   
   
2. TO CONFIRM AND SIGN THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 6 MARCH 2007
   
   The minutes of the meeting held on 6 March 2007 were signed as a true and accurate record.
   
   
   
3. UPDATES FROM ACTIONS IN THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 6 MARCH 2007
   
   1. Suggestions for changes to Radlett Gardens – The Clerk had not yet contacted the Environment Agency regarding opening up Radlett Gardens and Tykeside Gardens to the brook.
   (Action: Clerk)
   
   2. Anti-Social Behaviour – The next meeting of the Crime Reduction Group would take place on 9th May. It was noted that Cllr. Goldstein represented the Aldenham Wards as the Borough’s representative on the Group.
   
   3. Moving the Allotment Gate – The notice had been erected and the gate would be moved after Easter.
   
   4. Control of Dogs – The Chairman and Head of Grounds Maintenance had received some comments from dog owners.  The Clerk had asked the Borough’s Dog Warden to contact her.
   
   5. Five-a-side matches at the Festival – The Festival Committee had advised that they did not have sufficient resources to organise a tournament.  The Clerk undertook to discuss organising an event with local sports providers and the Sports Development Officer at Hertsmere Borough Council.
   
   
   
4. HEAD OF GROUNDS MAINTENANCE’S REPORT
   
   Radlett Gardens – The lights were now working but a new pump was needed for the fountain.
   
   Hanging baskets – The plant plugs had arrived and Mr Clark had been employed on a temporary contract to pot them up.  Members commented that the flowers around the Parish were very nice at present.  The Head of Grounds Maintenance advised that the hanging baskets would be going up about 1st June.  The Highways Authority had been requested to paint the lamp posts before 1st June or paint around the baskets when repainting the lamp posts and provide the Parish with a pot of paint to “touch up” the gaps in the Autumn.
   
   Allotments – The Head of Grounds Maintenance was still waiting for Three Valleys Water to contact him regarding a separate water meter for the Allotments.  Councillor Howley undertook to assist on the Council’s behalf.
   
   Some allotment holders had been permitting contractors to enter the allotments to carry out work to their property adjoining the site or to their allotments.  As the Council was responsible for the Health and Safety of all contractors on its land and certain checks needed to be carried out regarding liability insurance and risk assessments, Members requested that the allotment holders be advised that no contractor was permitted on site without the specific authorisation of the Recreation Grounds Committee.
   (Action: Clerk)
   
   In view of the shortage of plots and the waiting list, it was suggested that under worked plots be identified and the plot holders be requested to either fully cultivate their plot or give up half of their plot to enable others to enjoy allotment-holding.
   (Action: Head of Grounds Maintenance / Deputy Clerk)
   
   
   
5. HEALTH AND SAFETY REPORTS
   
   1.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 Programme would start on 21st April and the Sports Development Officer from Hertsmere Borough Council was working hard at publicising the event.
   (Action: Clerk)
   
   
   
7. PARISH ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN
   
   Newberries Path and Tykesglade Bridge – A site meeting had been held to discuss matters further and view the proposal on the ground.  Loss of the parking bays would not be an issue with the Borough as alternative spaces could be created.  By offering to include moving the ticket machine (approximately £2,000) in the project costs there were no issues with this.  Due to a change in the flow of the Tyke and a shift in the banks, the stepping stone option was no longer feasible.  Ian Gibbon, Countryside Management, would be progressing the matter further regarding surveying the bridge with Hertsmere Borough Council’s Drainage/Technical Services.
   
   
   
8. HIRING OF PHILLIMORE RECREATION GROUND AND OTHER COUNCIL LAND FOR FAIR GROUND AND CIRCUSES
   
   Members considered suggested charges and RESOLVED that £100 be charged per day of operation and £40 for “get in” and “get out” days.  It was further requested that 20 free tickets be given to the Council to distribute to local families.
   (Action: Clerk)
   
   
   
9. LATEST QUOTATIONS REGARDING THE PURCHASE OF A VAN
   
   Since preparing the budget for 2007/08, the special deals available had finished.  The Clerk advised that the cheapest quotation received so far was £15,495 plus VAT.  Members RESOLVED that the Finance and General Purposes Committee be requested to approve an increase to the Asset Purchase budget of £2,000 by viring funds from the contingency budget to enable a new truck to be purchased.
   (Action: Clerk)
   
   
   
10. LETCHMORE HEATH WAR MEMORIAL
    
    After trying many contractors, the Clerk had been able to obtain a quotation to repair the lights around the War Memorial at Letchmore Heath.  As no budget existed for the work, Members RESOLVED that the Finance and General Purposes Committee be requested to authorise unplanned expenditure from contingency of £2,200 to replace the lights around the war memorial at Letchmore Heath.
    (Action: Clerk)
    
    
    
11. FESTIVAL YOUTH COMMITTEE’S PROPOSED USE OF THE £9,500 RAISED TOWARDS YOUTH ACTIVITIES IN THE PARISH
    
    Members requested that 2 items of play equipment be priced up along with the cost of removing the concrete castle for consideration at the next meeting of the Committee.
    (Action: Clerk / Head of Grounds Maintenance)
    
    
    
12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
    
    The next meeting of the Committee would take place on 5 June 2007 at 8pm.
    

Closure:  9.10pm