Minutes of the meeting of the RECREATION GROUNDS COMMITTEE held on Tuesday 4 March 2008 at 8pm in Meeting Room 2, The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett

Present:

• Councillor R Worthy (Chairman)
• Councillor Mrs A Baker
• Councillor Mrs G Balen
• Councillor J Howley
• Councilllor C Wilkins

In attendance:

• Mrs R J Floate (Administrative Officer)
• Mr F Hills (Head Groundsman)

 

111. Apologies for absence

     Apologies were received from Councillor D Lambert.

112. Declarations of Interest

     As a Trustee of Groundwork, Hertfordshire, Councillor J Howley declared a personal interest in the Play Equipment item to be discussed on the agenda.

113. To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 5 February 2008

     The minutes were confirmed and signed as a true and correct record of the meeting.

114. To receive any updates from actions in the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 February 2008
     1. Footpath 47, Pathway adjacent to Recreation Ground

        Mr Fred Hills reported that the greenery, which overhangs the Pathway running alongside the car park, tennis courts and Bowling Green is growing from the owner’s gardens adjacent to the Pathway. Mrs Floate was asked to contact Highways to ascertain who was responsible for cutting what back. (Action: Mrs R J Floate)

     2. Play equipment sub committee

        Mrs R Floate reported that she had spoken to Mr Richard Grove, Head of Planning at Hertsmere, to ask for his assistance in finding out the exact wording and terms of the Quadrant S106 agreement. The exact information should be available in time for the next meeting. (Action: Mrs R J Floate)

     3. War memorial

        Mrs R J Floate was in the process of obtaining another estimate from Nethercotts and would report to the next meeting. (Action: Mrs R J Floate)

     4. Car Park at Letchmore Heath

        Mr F Hills reported that the regravelling work had been completed.

     5. Lighting at Radlett Gardens

        Mr F Hills said that some of the lights were now working. Councillor J Howley reported that he had received a letter from a local resident, Mr P Stanley who had complained of the poor quality of lighting at Radlett Gardens. Councillor J Howley proposed that high level lighting at both ends of Radlett Gardens be installed. It was agreed that a local contractor would be asked to quote for this work. (Action: Mrs R J Floate)

     6. Licensing of trucks

        Both of the trucks had now been fully licensed.

     7. 28 Elm Walk

        A proposal would be taken to the next F& G P committee for the disposal of 28 Elm Walk. This item should be put on the agenda.

115. Head Groundsman’s Report
     • The seats at Letchmore Heath had been refurbished. Work had begun on the seat at the top end of Letchmore Road. Councillor D Lambert had conveyed to the Committee that he had received positive comments from the villages regarding the refurbished benches.
     • At the end of March the summer bedding plants would be potted up. It was agreed to employ Mr J Clark on a temporary basis to help with this task. Funding for this would come from the savings made on the salary and overtime budget.
     • Mr F Hills reported that he was concerned to hear that the Committee had decided not to progress with work to the dead trees at various locations in the Parish. Mr F Hills was extremely concerned due to the health and safety implications. After discussion, it was agreed that the work should be carried out as soon as possible. Mr F Hills was asked to arrange for this work to be done he would contact Gristwood and Toms the following day to arrange for this work to go ahead.
     • Three students had recently gained work experience at the Recreation Grounds; they had all been polite and good workers.
116. Health and Safety Reports
     

     There had been one accident reported in the last month. This had been recorded in the accident book.

117. Play Equipment at the Recreation Ground

     Councillor J Howley gave an up to date report on the visit to Groundwork, Hertfordshire.

     It was proposed that the first stage of redesigning the playground should go ahead. The cost for this would be £2276 inclusive of VAT. The work would take two days. This would identify what needs to be replaced and what could be incorporated to upgrade the playground.

     It was agreed that Councillor Mrs G Balen and Councillor C Wilkins would organise a survey of potential users to be undertaken in mid April.

     It was agreed that the work should go ahead. Councillor J Howley would contact Groundwork to organise this.

     It was noted that the Castle was very much the current trend for play equipment today. It was also agreed that the Groundstaff would repair the Castle and the area would be cleaned. (Action: Councillor J Howley, Mr F Hills)

118. Newberries Path and Tykesglade Project

     Councillor Mrs G Balen had spoken to Mr R Reith regarding ideas for a memorial to the late Councillor Mrs S A Reith. Mr R Reith would contact Councillor Mrs G Balen.

     It was not known if a replacement member of staff had been found to take over from Mr I Gibbon. Mrs J Adams was asked to find out in time for the next meeting. (Action: Mrs J Adams)

119. Tree Work around the Parish

     Hertsmere Borough Council had approved consent for the tree work to two trees at the rear of Cobden Hill.

     It was agreed to clear some of the dead trees in Scrubbitts Wood.

     Mr F Hills would contact Gristwood and Toms to arrange for all of this work to be done. (Action: Mr F Hills)

120. Christmas Lights

     Mr F Hills had inspected the Christmas lights. They were all in working order with only a few of the lights needing repair.

     An article would be put in the next edition of Around Radlett in June to ask for sponsorship of the Christmas lights. (Action: Mrs J Adams)

121. Children’s Event at the Recreation Ground

     A request had been received from Mr C Manning for the rental of the Recreation Ground for a children’s event. The event would consist of amusements, bouncy castle and carousel rides. All of the rides would be charged at a price of £1, which was considered to be good value.

     It was agreed that providing it doesn’t conflict with the football season the event could go ahead. Insurance liability had been checked and this was all in order. Mr F Hills would check the dates and if not conflicting, it was agreed that Councillor R Worthy could authorise the go ahead subject to the full fee being paid. (Action: Mr F Hills)

122. Sports Development Fund

     Mrs R J Floate brought the committee up to date with the situation regarding funding for sports development. The grant from Barclays was awarded in October 2006 and was to be spent over a three year period. The project started in October 2006 and would finish in October 2009. All funds available to date had been claimed. It was agreed to spend the balance left in year two on tennis coaching and a local coach would be found. In the final year, October 2008 to October 2009, the total available to be claimed was £4,334.

     It was agreed to terminate the services of Mr P Servier of Safe Coaching as there was no money left to fund this event. Mrs Floate would write to Mr P Servier explaining the situation and congratulating him for the excellent work doneso far. (Action: Mrs R J Floate)

123. Supply of benches from the Festival Committee

     Seven benches had been ordered from the Festival Committee. The Parish Council would order the benches on behalf of the Festival Committee. Clarification was needed as to where the benches would be placed. (Action: Mrs J Adams)

124. Urgent Late Items

     The Chairman agreed to consider the following late items:

     1. Letter received from local resident, Mr P Stanley

        Mr P Stanley had written to the Chairman of the Parish Council to complain about the poor lighting in Radlett Gardens and the parking situation in the Village.

        It had been agreed earlier in the meeting to obtain quotations to install extra lighting at Radlett Gardens; this information would be conveyed to Mr Stanley.

        The committee agreed that the parking issues mentioned in the letter, especially around the Radlett Centre, needed to be resolved.

        It was agreed that the new Clerk, Peter Evans would be asked to report to the Council on the various options available to remedy this situation.

     2. Salters Field and The Rose Field

        Two papers were tabled. The first paper was from the Radlett Cricket and Tabard Rugby Club for development of Salters Field. The Club had outlined firm ideas and proposals.

        The second paper was from the Tabard Rugby Club to develop the Rose Field. It was noted that this development plan is independent of the first paper, which was a community sports partnership project. Tabard Rugby Club had also outlined firm ideas and proposals for the site. A map was also included, which showed more detail of their idea.

        It was agreed that information that is more detailed was needed for both projects. It was difficult to know from the information provided exactly what they wanted to do. Until a definitive plan was produced a lease could not be forthcoming. Mrs R J Floate would relay this information to the proposer, Mrs V Hopcroft. (Action: Mrs R J Floate)

     3. Quotation from Security Services (CPS)

        A quotation had been received for Security Services at Phillimore Recreation Ground. It was agreed to go ahead with the work, which would start the first weekend of May.

125. Date of next meeting

     The next meeting would be held on Tuesday 15 April 2008.

The meeting closed at 9:30pm.