Minutes of a Meeting of the Recreation Amenities and War Memorials Committee held on the 27^th March 2007 at 7pm in the Corn Exchange Hungerford

Present: Cllrs Cardwell - Chairman; Ballard; Bullock; Thompson; Harries; Wilson; Ticehurst; Liddiard

The following local Representatives of Group were also present   Mr Beard - Cricket club; Steve Mills Rugby Club.; Andy Bell Hungerford Town Juniors and youth council representatives

Locum clerk M Haxeltine

Min No		Action
RA 7/001	Apologies - were received and accepted from Cllr Scorey & Small and Members of Groups Sally Cryer; R Tarry
RA 7/002	Declarations of Interest were noted from Cllrs Wilson & Bullock in connection with Min RA 7/010. Cllr Cardwell declared an interest in the Triangle Field as her son trains there.
RA 7/003	Minutes of the Meeting held on the 27^th February 2007 The previously circulated Minutes were referred to.  It was unanimously Resolved that the Minutes be signed as a true and accurate record with the following amendment of “The hoped start date…. There were no matters arising and at this point the Chair introduced two representatives of the Youth Council   Ms Kate Martin and Mary Dancey
RA7/004a	Triangle Field Cllr Harries on behalf of the Triangle Field Development Sub Committee updated the Meeting on situation to date.  Members noted the following :- a]their was a delay in starting due a number legal points [now end of May 2007] b] the storage area would not be started yet so as to not have two contractors on site at the same time c]the gate has been locked at the direction of the  Insurers  to stop access in view of the recent vehicle burning d]need for alternative key hold to Cllr Harries and that too many keys could not be allowed as they cost £15.00 each e] cess pit was in urgent need of cleaning out quotes had been obtained Following a wide ranging discussion  Members resolved that  : i] it noted that Cllr Ballard would act as key holder so that Clubs could get access ii] the Clerk ask the Insurers if they would confirm that they require the gate locking and if they so require accepted a   key cupboard in the new  area in the Club house in which the gate key could be kept iii] if keys are issued to a Club would require a deposit and they will be responsible for ensuring that the gate is lock at end of session iv] confirmed  actions of Cllr Harries in obtaining a heavy duty lock and in contacting the insurers v] the Camera Club be asked to keep a record of the changes of the Pavilion for archiving It was agreed that a letter of thanks should be sent to the Town and Manor for the new fence erected at the Triangle Field.	Cllr Harries Cllr Ballard Clerk Cllr Thompson Clerk
RA 7/004b	Members then went onto discuss playing and tournament arrangements for the area.   It was note noted that a Town Diary existed in order to help prevent clashing dates with activities in the Town. The Meeting discussed the issue of seeding and Mr Beard advised that potency of the seed was now very reduced.   It was said that seeding was now urgent and that the bottom part of the side also need seeding As a result of this discussion it was Resolved that :-  vi] an additional quote be obtained  by Mr Beard within the next seven days and that the expenditure be approve subject to the agreement of the Chairman and the Clerk in order to have the work done in time for various events to take place and the necessary balances be carried forward to pay for the work vii] Cess Pit  - this was an urgent item from a number of stand points and the Chair and two other Members decide on the acceptance of the most  cost effective estimate and money be carried forward to pay for this viii] the Clubs ask the John of Gaunt school if they can used there parking areas for the Tournaments so that there is no parking of cars etc on the playing area [which they agreed to do] ix] a long term programme of maintenance should developed for sports areas to included relieving compaction. x]the Clerks  Report on open spaces maintenance  and Inspections   be brought forward to the next meeting It was noted that Steve Mills of the Rugby Club asked if a higher level of funding could be provided for 08/09 estimate year. He was advised that this is a matter for the F & GP committee to discuss next year when section 137 grants are discussed.	Mr Beard
RA 7/004d	At this point it was agreed to alter the order of business and deal with item 14 on the Agenda  Equipment and Procedures This part of the discussion centred on the most cost effective way of having the grass maintained at the Triangle field by either the cricket Club or another contractor.  It was unanimously Resolved:-   xiii that the book value of the Council owned Ransom mowing equipment in commercial terms would be zero value and a way forward would be to give the  equipment to the cricket club with the Council paying for  contracted maintenance [ie the same as this year].  Which would less than a contractor and that the final detail be agreed by the Chair and Cllrs Thompson and Ballard when the Club had discussed that matter. The Clerk was questioned about this and he responded that he felt that Members had acted responsibly  and a nett saving would be produced even if they at a later date assisted with any repair of the equipment At this point Mr Beard and left
RA7/005	It was noted that there no Agenda item 5
	Cllr Ticehurst left at this point
RA7/006	Smitham Bridge Playing Area – A matter had been reported to the Police, but the chair did not have the details. Cllr Ticehurst to advise at the next meeting.	Agenda
RA7/007	War Memorial & Recreation Ground - It was noted that there would be a Meeting on Friday 30th March of the playground sub committee to include Denise Gaines and Stuart Souden of WBDC, to decide the way forward and who might be undertaking the work. The Youth Council Representatives had no comment to make at this point.
RA7/008	Skate Board Park The Youth council representatives advised that there was a loose bar on the constructed skate board stand and a problem with a goal at the wreck.  Its was Resolved   i] to accept Cllr Harries offer to deal with the matter the following day Ii] to accept Cllr Ballard’s offer to try to get the work done [removal of a goal ] for the youngsters by the Fire Brigade	Cllr Harries
RA7/004c	Members other matters.  They went onto discuss the ROSPA Report dated 080107 and it was noted that Cllr Harries would look at the problems contained there in tomorrow and take appropriate action.  It was agreed Richard Cripps should be asked to quote and repair the fence. The Youth Council  Representatives were asked to report back to the school to try to stop the amount of litter being dropped in the area of the skate board park a it took time to clear before mowing	Cllr Harries YC Reps
RA7/009	St Saviour Cemetery This discussion centres on three items the maintenance issue; the authorisation of placing a plaque on the Cemetery Walls; the Clerks Report and maintenance of graves in the Children Section.  It was Resolved that :- I] the plaque be allowed on the wall for a twenty  five year term and a one off charge of  £50.00  plus VAT and an agreement be produced to that effect ii] it be noted that the Clerk laid on the ground two crosses which were patently dangerous on their bases and  the Clerks Report be discussed at the next Meeting iii] the mater of the contract be dealt with as a restricted item now There being no members so the public present the mater was discussed there and then and  Resolved that :- iii] AS Contractors be asked to by Cllr Harries to do the work contain in their letter dd …………………….. for £330.00 by Easter and money be carried foreword to pay for this. iv]  the contractor for this site for next twelve be AS Contractors as they had advised that the same fee as last year would be charged. v] there will be a review of contracting arrangements at the September  Meeting	April Agenda Cllr Harries Agenda Sept
RA7/010	St Lawrence’s Church  Yard - Report from J Handy -   An Interest was Declared at this point by Cllr Bullock and Wilson Following an in depth  discussion it was Resolved that :- i]Mr Handy be only asked to deal with the 8ft pollarding, four yews and a stump ii] other work would be discussed at later meeting
RA7/011	Bridge St War Memorial – pad lock is in place and all looks good
RA 7/012	Tragedy Memorial – looking ok
RA7/013	Swimming Pool House – Marc Allen has been requested to advise the tenant of the rent increase with notice from 1/4/07 and the three items of maintenance are to be carried out as discussed and agreed at the last meeting.
RA7/014	note this item was dealt with under Minute .RA7/
RA7/015	Accounts Authorisation  The Locum clerk advised that he might not have found all of the Invoices to be brought to this Committee for payment in this Financial Year.    It was Resolved that :-  i]the following Invoices be authorised  for payment D Taylor                                190.00 A Levers                                  80.00 Grundon                                 142.86   AD King                                295  .00 Hills -totalling                       216.64 ii]    that the Chair & Cllr Thompson & Harries be delegated to approve or otherwise other Invoices prior to the next Meeting The Chairman thanked Members for their hard work.   The Meeting was closed at 9.10 pm.

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