DANBURY PARISH COUNCIL
Present: Councillors
D Powell, Mrs J Wells.
In attendance: Clerk to the Parish Council Assistant Clerk to Facilities
Public Question time No members of the public were present.
1 Election of
Chairman
Cllr Powell proposed that Cllr D Hawkins be elected to serve as Chairman for 2006-07. This was seconded by Cllr Wells. There were no further nominations. RESOLVED that Cllr Hawkins be elected as Chairman.
2 Election of Vice Chairman
It was proposed that election of Vice Chairman be
deferred to the next meeting.
RESOLVED that the election Vice Chairman be
deferred to the next meeting.
3 Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were accepted from Cllrs Allen, Brooks, Telling, Wood and R. Matthews (retrospective).
4 Declarations of Interest
Cllrs Hawkins and Powell declared an
interest in Items 6 and 8. Cllrs Berlyn
and Mrs Well declared an interest in Item 8.
5 Minutes of the Meeting Held on 3 May 2006.
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting
held on 3 May 2006 were approved and duly signed as a correct record.
6 Football
Cllr Hawkins invited Cllr Berlyn as Chairman of the
Parish Council to accept chairmanship of this item. Cllr Berlyn agreed to, only if specific items
were addressed.
6.1 The changes to the original agreements and
new amendments for 2006-2007 were discussed. Cllr Hawkins proposed that an agreement be offered to Danbury Mission
Community Football Club (DMCFC) to play all the year round. Cllr Berlyn proposed an amendment that a
clause be added to the DMCFC agreement that play could be over 12 months on the
basis that, should the Groundsman decide the pitches were unusable this
decision must be adherred to. The
amendment was seconded by Cllr Powell.
RESOLVED that a) The amendments be made and the
agreements be sent out without referral back to Committee.
b) The DMCFC agreement to include all year round
play with the clause that the Groundsman had final say on when the pitches were
fit for use.
6.2 A discussion was held as to whether or not to
continue to allow training on Pitch 2 throughout the season. It was unanimously agreed that this should
continue.
RESOLVED that training would continue as in
previous years.
6.3 The condition of the football posts and
whether or not new ones were required was discussed. The Groundsman’s advice would be required.
RESOLVED that a) The Groundsman be requested to
recommend the kind of new posts that were required.
b) A recommendation be given to the next meeting as
to where the funding could come from.
7 Play Area
7.1 It was reported that the new net for the AB
equipment was replaced in May. It had
not needed to be re-installed which resulted in a reduction in cost from £1237
to £937.
RESOLVED that the information be noted.
7.2 The new play equipment was installed on 26
May. Feedback from parents had been very
positive.
RESOLVED that the information be noted.
7.3 A summary of the RoSPA report was received
at the meeting. Members said that
clarification was required on some points such as: pinch points on access gate;
A&B failed to meet standards; slide run out very low.
RESOLVED that clarification was sought on the
report before any action was taken.
8 Sports and Social Club
8.1 It was reported that Beacon had been
appointed to clean the tank, treat and refill and chlorinate the tank at a cost
of £620.
RESOLVED that the information be noted.
8.2 Beacon had advised that the two calorifiers
required descaling at a cost of £680 each.
RESOLVED that a budget for descaling the two
calorifiers be included in the budget proposals for 2007-08.
9 Chain Barrier
The quotation for a five barred gate and fencing to
be installed where the chain barrier is currently was discussed. The details are Option One 1 pair 8’
wide gates at a cost of £704.34 and Option Two 1 x 11’ wide and 1 x 5’
wide gates at £680.55. Plus fencing at
£333.60.
RESOLVED that the matter be deferred until the
Council is ready to set budgets for 2007-08.
10.1 Allotments
10.1 i) It was reported that the new tenancy
agreement had been sent out. Three had
been returned and the outstanding ones chased
RESOLVED that the information be noted.
10.1 ii) Members were notified that the following work
was required: a new lid for one of the water tubs and a new/repaired pedestrian
gate. One of the tenants had offered to
do this work. It was reported at the
meeting that the main metal vehicular access gate was damaged and the same
tenant had offered to help the Groundsman repair this. If the Groundsman could do the work then it
would need to be done when he had the time, possibly out of season.
RESOLVED that a) The information be noted.
b) The Groundsman be requested to investigate the
work required on the metal gate and advise as to whether or not he would be
able to repair it.
10.1 iii) A matter was raised regarding the fact that
one tenant had returned their agreement with the clause referring to
contribution to water supply being crossed out. Members were not happy at this situation.
RESOLVED that the said tenant be written to with a
new agreement to include the clause regarding the water supply.
10.2 Basketball
Court See Minute 16 b).
10.3 Bowling
Club
10.3 i) It was
reported that the Bowling Club green had passed its County Standard Inspection
for this year.
RESOLVED that the information be noted.
10.3 ii) The
request that had been received to install an electronic security gate in place
of the chain barrier was discussed. The
Parish Council had no funds for this.
RESOLVED that a) A reply be sent to the Bowling
Club to request firm proposals and their financial contribution.
b) Investigations be made for funding under the
Disability Discrimination Act.
10.4 Car
Parks Nothing further was reported.
10.5 Cricket
Square See Minute 16 c).
10.6 Elm
Green Nothing further was reported.
10.7 Eves
Corner Nothing further was reported.
10.8 Football
Fields Nothing further was
reported.
10.9
10.10 Lingwood Common
The report prepared by the Clerk was received. At the meeting she reported further that work
had been done by Essex County Council’s solicitor who would send information
from the Essex Records Office to Mr Ablitt. A discussion was held as to what action the Parish Council should take
meanwhile.
RESOLVED that a) Cllr Thompson be asked to comment.
b) A letter be sent to Mr Ablitt to confirm that
legal ownership is with the Parish Council and the fencing must be taken down,
a copy to be sent to Essex County Council.
c) NALC be requested to comment.
10.11 Notice-Boards It was reported that the board at Elm Green
had been damaged. Repair works at an
approximate cost of £50.00 had been started.
RESOLVED that the information be noted.
10.12 Pedlar’s Path Nothing further was reported.
10.13 RBL Pavilion Nothing
further was reported.
10.14 Runsell Green Nothing further was reported.
10.15 Tennis Club Nothing further was reported.
10.16 War Memorial Nothing further was reported.
11 Play Activities
The success of the Whitsun Sports Programme held by
Chelmsford BC was reported.
RESOLVED that the information be noted.
12 Drainage & Car Park Improvements
12.1 The car park payment options and surfacing
were discussed and it was agreed that it was too early in the process to go
forward to the public with any firm proposals.
RESOLVED that Cllr Berlyn would draft a document
with the intention of it being published in the November edition of the Danbury
Times.
12.2 The Members were advised that the
Consultants Specification and Tender Document were in the next stage of being
drafted.
RESOLVED that the information be noted.
13 Theft of Diesel from the Groundman’s Shed
13.1 The installation of CCTV for the Groundsman’s
Shed and Compound was discussed.
RESOLVED that Chelmsford Borough Council be chased
regarding the possibility of cameras free of charge.
13.2 It was reported that the police had advised
the Parish Council that the case of the theft was closed.
RESOLVED that the information be noted.
13.3 The report on the quotations for the new oil
storage tank was reviewed.
RESOLVED that a) One of the companies who quoted be requested to reduce their
price and confirm that they could make good the concrete base.
b) A request for £2,200 be put to Resources for
funding of the tank and the electrical installation.
13.4 The quotations had been sent to the
Environment Agency who had confirmed that the tanks mentioned in two of the
quotations appeared to be compliant with Oil Storage Regulations.
13.5 It was reported that the new fencing was
installed on 7 June.
RESOLVED that the information be noted.
14 Maintenance Equipment
It was reported that the slitter had now been taken
away and also that the tractor mounted sprayer, at a cost of £2950 had been
ordered. Also, the tractor had been
returned to the supplier for remedial works under guarantee. Meanwhile, a tractor had been loaned for use
of the Groundsman.
RESOLVED that the information be noted.
15 Trees Survey
Members were advised that the work on the survey
started on Thursday 8 June.
RESOLVED that the information be noted.
16 Dawson Memorial Field
The report on the field was received by Members and
action was required on some items.
RESOLVED that a) Two new litter bins be purchased
for the areas opposite the Church and the entrance to Dawson Field at an
estimated cost of £140 each.
b) The condition of the basketball boards be
monitored.
c) Although the cricket net does not belong to the Parish Council the Cricket Club should be made aware, due to health and safety issues, of the condition of the net.
17 Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF) The suggestions on what to apply to the ALSF for grant funding were discussed. RESOLVED that a) A new piece of equipment for the play area be included. b) All the items be referred for funding as part of the overall improvements plan to Dawson Memorial Field.
18 Matters For Report
18.1 The CBC skateboarding had been offered again
for Sunday 1 October and a pre-confirmation visit by CBC arranged for 28 June.
RESOLVED that the information be noted.
18.2 A letter had been received from a resident on
the overgrown condition of the landscape around the bus shelter near to Cherry
Garden Lane. This matter had been
brought to Facilities as the Environment Committee was not due to meet until
September.
RESOLVED that a) The Groundsman tidy up the area.
b) The correspondent be informed of our action.
18.3 The Cricket Club had been requested to remove
the cricket roller by Friday 16 June. They had responded by saying that they would endeavour to do so. Unfortunately, the Groundsman would now not
be in on that day and there would be no-one available after 12.30pm.
RESOLVED that the Cricket Club be advised of the
time restraints and if they could not comply then another date should be
negotiated.
19 Dates of Meetings in 2006
12 July, 13
September, 8 November,
15 November (if
required), 13 December.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.25 pm. |