DANBURY PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of the meeting of the FACILITIES COMMITTEE held on 15 March 2006

 

Present:  Councillors            F. J. Hawkins   (Chairman)               

                                                S. Berlyn (ex officio),  M. Wood (ex officio)

                                                A. Allen, C. Lambert, R. Matthews,  D Powell

 

In attendance: Assistant Clerk to Facilities.

 

Public Question time  No members of the public were present.

 

105  Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were accepted from Cllrs Brooks, Gardiner, Telling, and  Mr Coe, Margaret Saunders (Clerk to Parish Council), Robin Dickens.

 

106  Declarations of Interest   None were made. 

 

107  Trees Survey

Agenda Item 4 was brought forward to this point.  The Chairman welcomed the representative from D F Clark Contractors Ltd who was to give a presentation on how she would conduct the tree survey.  She said that each tree would be identified, photographed, measured, aged and trees of particular beauty or that would benefit from a Tree Preservation Order would be noted.  Trees and saplings in clusters would be recorded as a group.  Questions on health and safety, professional indemnity and public liability were raised and answered to the satisfaction of the Committee.  The representative left the meeting before the Committee made its decision.  It was mentioned that Lingwood Common may have to be added to the survey. 

RESOLVED that a) D F Clark Contractors Ltd is appointed at a cost of £1040.00 plus any additional cost for Lingwood Common.

b) The work to commence in May when the leaves are out.

c) The current budget to be carried over to 2006-07 as earmarked funds.

 

108  Minutes of the Meeting Held on 1 February 2006.

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on 1 February 2006 were approved and duly signed as a correct record.

 

109  Use of Football Pitches

Cllrs Hawkins and Powell declared an interest in this Item.  Cllr Wood reported that the Groundsman had advised him that over-usage of the pitches could hinder adequate recovery in time for the cricket season.  It was acknowledged that the Groundsman has the expertise and ability to decide when the pitches should be closed for regular users and those users should be notified accordingly.  Special events were considered to be acceptable and bookings would be taken.  It was mentioned that Pitch 1 is being played upon by a user contrary to the Council’s agreement.  It was felt appropriate that the user in question should be reminded of the conditions of their Agreement.

RESOLVED that a) The Groundsman put together a programme for when each of the pitches should be closed for re-seeding and maintenance.

b) All users to be advised of the pitch closure dates for matches and training.

c) Any special events already committed to will be honoured and new ones considered.

d) The unofficial users of Pitch 1 to be written to and reminded of their Agreement.

 

110 Leases

110.1   DCA.  RESOLVED that the information be noted.  See Minute 110.4b).

110.2  Tennis Club.    RESOLVED that the information be noted.

110.3   Eves Corner.  RESOLVED that the information be noted.

110.4   Bowling Club.  The request regarding the ground rent was considered and it was proposed that an agreement be reached.  The request to install water meters at the Bowling Club and Sports & Social Centre so that water can be recharged, as in the terms of the leases, was discussed.

RESOLVED that a) The Bowling Club is advised in writing that the ground rent would be reduced to £500.00 with effect from 1 April 2006.  The ground rent would be reconsidered as from 1 April 2007 regardless of when the lease is actually signed.

b) Water meters to be installed at the Bowling Club and Sports & Social Centre at a cost of £172.10 and £193.25 respectively, thereby allowing water usage to be re-charged. 

c) The Recommendation that the lease be forwarded to the Parish Council’s solicitor was accepted.

110.5 Royal British Legion.  RESOLVED that the information be noted.

 

111  Play Area 

111.1 Grant payment from Essex CC Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund for the fencing and benches had been received.

RESOLVED that the information be noted.

 

111.2 Main entry gate.  It was reported that Wicksteed had taken details of the gate and advised that alterations were not possible to make it self-closing.

RESOLVED that a) The information be noted.

b) This Item to be left on the agenda.

 

111.3 Play Inspections.  The matter of retaining RoSPA for another inspection was discussed. 

RESOLVED that RoSPA be appointed at a cost of c£80.00.

 

112   Sports and Social Club

The quotation from Beacon for the remedial work was considered.

RESOLVED:  that Beacon is appointed to do Item 4 to clean the CWS tank at a cost of £195.00 and Item 5 to calibrate gauges on calorifiers at a cost of £25.00.

 

113   Chain Barrier

Management of the WI access via the chain barrier was not discussed.

RESOLVED that this Item be deferred to the next Facilities meeting.

 

114.1 Allotments    

114.1 i) The proposed new agreement and application form for new applications were discussed.

RESOLVED that a) The new lease was agreed with the following amendments:

- 2 (2) change the word ‘with’ to ‘without’;

- 2 (9) remove the words ‘or fruit bushes or any crops which require more than twelve months to mature’;

- Add the clause “Any conditions imposed by the water supplier on the use of hosepipes for irrigation purposes must be upheld”;

- The reference to charging for water in the existing Allotment Agreement to be included in the new agreement.

b) The application form is agreed.

114.1 ii)  The question was raised as to whether the new agreement would be imposed on existing allotment tenants.

RESOLVED that the item be placed on the next agenda.

 

114.2  Basketball Court    Nothing further was reported.

 

114.3  Bowling Club

It was reported that work had started on the bowling green repairs and the fencing.  The letter regarding the lighting was discussed.
RESOLVED that a) The information be noted.

RESOLVED b) The terms of the grant for the lighting be checked. 

 

114.4  Car Parks Nothing further was reported.

 

114.5  Cricket Square

It was reported that the cost of the pavement signs had increased by £51.00 since the issue was first raised.

RESOLVED that the signs be purchased at the increased price of £615.00.

 

114.6  Elm Green

Cllr Lambert mentioned that cars and van were parking on this area.

RESOLVED that a) The Groundsman is asked for his advice on installing parking restrictions.

b) The Members monitor the situation.

 

114.7  Eves Corner            Nothing further was reported.

114.8  Football Fields        Nothing further was reported.

114.9 Griffin Meadow         Nothing further was reported.

 

114.10 Lingwood Common  

The ownership of the land has now been clarified.  Mention was made of correspondence between the Parish Council and a resident regarding fencing of the area.

RESOLVED that a) The information be noted.

b) A further letter is sent in response to the tenant reiterating the position of the Parish Council.

 

114.11 Notice-Boards       Nothing further was reported.

114.12 Pedlar’s Path          Nothing further was reported.

 

114.13 RBL Pavilion         

The letter from the RBL regarding the outside lighting was discussed.

RESOLVED that a response be sent to advise that this will be taken into consideration when the rent review is due.

 

114.14 Runsell Green         

The village sign was deferred to the next meeting.  It was mentioned that a vehicle is being parked on the Green on a regular basis. 

RESOLVED that a) The village sign to be an item on the next agenda. 

b) Cllr Berlyn to monitor the situation of the vehicle.

 

114.15 Tennis Club  Nothing further was reported.

114.16 War Memorial   Nothing further was reported.

 

115  Play Activities

The skate boarding has been booked for 3 June.  Further activities by CBC were discussed for the Easter and Whitsun holidays.  It was decided that it was too late to promote the Easter activities but the Whitsun ones could be supported.

RESOLVED that a) The information be noted.

b) Application is made to host two outdoor activity sessions at a cost of £60.00 per session and no dates or activities were prioritised.

 

116   Drainage & Car Park  Improvements

It was reported that Resources Committee agreed to:

i)   appoint Brandon Surveys Ltd to do the surveys at a cost of £390.00;

ii)  earmark £30,000 for the improvements work. 

RESOLVED that the information be noted.

The car park payment options and surfacing were not discussed.

RESOLVED that this item is kept on the agenda.

 

117  Signage

Signage for the car park and play areas were put up in early February.

RESOLVED that the information be noted.

 

118   Electrical Inspection

Remedial work following the electrical inspection was completed on 3 March.  Cllr Allen commented that he wished to see the Site Inspection Report to ascertain why the work was recommended.

RESOLVED that a) The information was noted.

b) The Site Inspection Report is available in the office.

 

119  Trees

The remedial work for the two trees on Dawson’s Memorial was almost completed.

RESOLVED that the information be noted.

 

120   Ponds

The ponds at Runsell Green and Eves Corner have been cleaned.  The middle of the pond at Runsell Green was not cleaned as it was too deep to reach.  It was proposed that a seat on the Green be considered.  A request was made to use RoSPA to do a risk assessment on the ponds when they do the play area.

RESOLVED that a) The ponds are next cleaned when the water level is low, this may enable the middle of the Runsell Green pond to be reached.

b) The request for a seat was to be considered.

c) RoSPA to be asked to carry out the risk assessment at a cost of £66.00 per pond (cost is based on the assessment being done at the time as the play area).

d) The National Trust to be asked how they carry out risk assessments on their ponds.


121   Hire Fees & Rents 2006-07

The Committee agreed fees for the use of the Council’s facilities.

RESOLVED that the following fees be charged as shown below.

Cricket pitch per match £70
Heathcote Schoo l £2285
Bowling Club £6274.16 (covers cost of maintaining Green)
Tennis  Club £3250

Football pitch per match

£31
per match, U18s on senior pitch

£23

per match, Seniors on pitch3
£23
per match, Juniors on other pitches
£10
Football training per session £10
Football – Mission Community FC £250
Small meeting room (RBL) £1850

122   Theft of Diesel from the Groundman’s Shed

The theft was discussed and it was reported that costs have been obtained to install additional security fencing and CCTV.

RESOLVED that a) The fencing be referred to Resources Committee on

22 March for approval to spend the £1,899.31 required.

b) The CCTV be deferred until the next meeting.

 

123  Matters for Report

The Terms of Reference will be dealt with at Parish Council.  There were no other matters for report.

RESOLVED that the information be noted.

 

124  Dates of Meetings in 2006

3 May,   14 June,   12 July,   13 September,    8 November,   

15 November (if required),    13 December.

 

There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.20  pm.