Minutes of the Recreation, Amenities and War Memorials Committee meeting held on Tuesday, 27th January 2009 in the Corn Exchange Complex, Hungerford at 7.00pm
Present: E Cardwell (Chair), Cllrs P Harries, G Bullock, D Liddiard, M Wilson, S Parry, D Pope. Also present R Beard, B Boulton, R Tarry, T Cherill, S Mills
1. Apologies: T Werrell, S Skipworth. M Nesbit has resigned.
2. Declarations of Interests: G Bullock for St Lawrence
3. Minutes of the Meeting held on 25th November 2008:
P Harries proposed we agree minutes, seconded by G Bullock. All in favour.
4. Report on appointment of Maintenance Person for Town Council
Dan Clemson continues to work through the ROSPA report and checks weekly on the play equipment. He helped with the Christmas lights and has carried out repairs to Smitham Bridge and the park benches. He has finished the shelving at the Triangle Field storage area.
5. Triangle Field - Rebuilding work and storage building
A meeting took place regarding the Triangle Field 2 weeks ago and further items will be discussed at the next meeting. The new storage area is finished although some other building work is not yet complete. A completion certificate has been received and therefore consideration of the change of use can now proceed. The Gas will not be reconnected for some time due to changes in the capacity required and placing of the meter. We are awaiting a final quote. The small store room has been shelved out today. The changing rooms, toilets and kitchen all require decoration and cleaning. Electric supply and meter are yet to be laid.
The Tag Rugby went well. Wickham Wanderers produced a cheque for this year’s fees. The RFC will increase their monthly standing order as agreed with J Smeddle and bring their signed agreement into the office. Wickham Wanderers did not have a new set of keys. Clerk to check who has keys. There should be 5 sets. One each for the cleaner, RFC, HTJFC, WW, and HTC. The keys are not to be duplicated. Any complaints should be voiced to HTC directly.
RFC to advise HTC of dates of games. Tim Cherill from Wickham Wanderers will email dates to clerk. User equipment to be sorted this Saturday before decorating starts. HTC will check with plumber if cold water showers are possible. Aerating field will cost £2,500 and money needs to be earmarked for ridding of clover costing £800. Vodafone have provided WW with a free storage container temporarily (12 to 36 months). It measures 3m x 3.5m and is on sleepers. WW to provide Bob Boulton with their contact at Vodafone.
T Cherill, B Boulton and S Mills left meeting.
6. Skate Park - Graffiti
Research has been carried out into the cost of a new shelter. They retail around £7,500. Htc can contribute to some of the costs but not as much as a third. £2,000 is to be earmarked for this purpose. HTC have approached Sovereign and Reading Police to apply for grants. The community service people could paint over the grafitti. Allotments will be discussed at tomorrows meeting.
7. War Memorial/Recreational ground – Tree Survey
This is going out to tender. Any funds left over from this year could go towards costs. Community workers are painting the lower part of the railings. D Clemson to paint top. HTC have paid for materials and soup. The Football club will open toilets to the workers.
E Cardwell proposed we rent Hurdle House for another year at a cost of £150 due to possible changes at Triangle Field. P Harries seconded. All in favour. Check D Taylor’s use of strimmer. R Beard is using and storing it although it belongs to HTC.
Skip removal & Grundon meeting – Skip has been removed and lock put on gate. RFO to ring Grundon to check size of new bin as doesn’t seem large enough for summer usage. It needs to take 30 black bins a week. The moles on the recreation ground are approaching the Cricket Club. E Cardwell proposed we pay £150 for gassing of moles in Feb/March 09. Seconded by P Harries. All in favour.
8.15pm R Beard and R Tarry left meeting.
8. Bulpit Lane Park - Zip wire almost fixed.
9. Smitham Bridge Park Path Update – Path has been started. It needs to be completed all the way up to the end of the slide.
10. St Lawrence’s churchyard - Pavement has been finished. We need to check salt bins as it can get slippery.
11. St Saviours’ cemetery.
Paupers’ graves – Meet at D Liddiard’s house 2pm tomorrow to look at stones in Lambourn.
Community Service – Work has been well done.
New plaques – Plaques cost £40 each + VAT. 5 have been ordered. They are being engraved this week. Check Clerk has written to the 4 people who have planted trees on graves.
12. Bridge Street War Memorial – remembrance parade 8th November - HTC to organise this year.
13. Contractors discussion (we ask those contractors present to kindly leave the meeting for this item)
Smitham Bridge Park – not gone out to tender. Mr James is the contractor.
£45 a grass cut (£30 last year)
£30 a hedge cut (twice a year)
St Lawrence Churchyard – not gone out to tender. A D King is contractor.
Similar price to last year. CHECK
St Saviours – not gone out to tender. Mr James is contractor.
£110 a grass cut - one days work (gone up from £105 last year)
Memorial Sites – not gone out to tender. Mr Lavers is contractor.
£110 a month agreed for two years. (gone up from £100 last year)
Skate Park – Gone out to tender (presuming no allotments)
Current Contractor HCC £550 a year
New quote Mr James £35 a cut (he will use his own new machine which can run over litter)
WM Recreation Ground – Gone out to tender
Current Contractor HCC £1,400 a grass cut, £100 emptying bins, £100 pruning of cotoneaster bush. New quote withdrawn from Mr James due to mole hills.
Triangle Field – Gone out to tender
Current contractor HCC £140 a cut
New Quote Mr James £145 a cut
E Cardwell proposed we award contracts as follows: Skate park to Mr James at £35 a cut. He must be advised of possibility of allotments. War Memorial recreation ground to stay with HCC at £1400 a grass cut and £100 for bins. However pruning of bush will be done by D Clemson. Triangle Field to stay with HCC at £140 a cut provided the Ranson Mower is used and cuts are only carried out following instruction from the clerk. A cut must constitute the whole of the field. Other contracts that have not gone out to tender are to be continued with including Colin Hamblin spraying around edge £330 twice a year and all contractors should be advised in writing. P Harries seconded. All in favour.
14. Swimming Pool House –Tenant may be moving out. 2 months notice is required. E Cardwell proposed continuing with same rent and await report from Marc Allen. Seconded P Harries. All in favour.
15. Allotments – 5 Sites have been looked at. Approximately 80 people require allotments. WBC and T&M have been approached. HTC need to be advised of any concerns in writing. Community workers will dig out allotments.
16. Risk Assessments – ROSPA report. Meeting closed at 9.04 pm