MINUTES of the Recreation, Amenities & War Memorials committee meeting held on Tuesday 26th June 2007 in the Magistrates Room, Town Hall, Hungerford
Present: D.Small (Chair), P.Harries, Mrs G.Bullock, A.Bell, D.Liddiard, Mrs M.Wilson, G.Humphrey, R.Tarry
1. Apologies for absence
Apologies had been received from Mrs E.Cardwell and R.Beard
2. Declaration of Interests
GB and MW (St Lawrences)
3. Minutes of meeting on 6th June 2007
Approved without amendment (proposed PH, seconded GB, all in favour) and there were no matters arising
4. Triangle Field
4.1 Steering Committee report - DS reported that the legal documentation is to be reviewed by the Rugby Club Trustees at a meeting on Thursday 28th June which he will attend. The final quote for the entrance work had been received and copies of all quotes forwarded to West Berkshire Council for approval. It is hoped and expected that the Agreement and Licence will be signed by the Club Trustees prior to the Town Council meeting on 2nd July. After signature by Town and West Berkshire Councils it will be possible to start work on site.
DL advised that care should be taken to avoid damaging the gas main at the entrance – DS agreed to pass this on to the Club Trustees.
GH asked when the new building is likely to be completed. DS agreed to raise this at the meeting with the Club Trustees and GH will ring DS for confirmation of their response.
4.2 Football tournament and parking - PH said that he is in private discussion with the Chairman of HTJFC on this subject.
The events and controversies of the day were discussed and various views expressed. It was agreed that if the prohibition against parking cars on the grass is to be enforced at these events in future then specific arrangements will need to be agreed well in advance. Agreed that there should be a meeting on site in early September to discuss this further, to be attended by representatives of the three user clubs and two other members of the committee, with plans and proposals to be placed before the committee for approval at its September meeting.
4.3 Review of hire fees - AB and GH both said that they would prefer an annual fee to the present system of paying a hire fee per game. This was agreed in principle. Agreed that both football clubs should consider what level of use they need and make a proposal to the committee at its August meeting, to include the annual fee they think would be fair and reasonable.
4.4 Storage area of the building – PH said that there is still quite a lot of junk in this that needs to be disposed of, including an old cooker ! Agreed that he will arrange a meeting with representatives of all three user clubs to discuss this.
4.5 Gate – GH said that entrance gate had been lifted off its hinges – PH agreed to investigate.
5. Playgrounds
5.1 Agreement with West Berks Council re Lottery money – DS ran through the agreement and raised various points which he wasn’t happy with. Agreement was reached as regards amendments to be proposed and DS agreed to contact David Hogg to finalise this.
5.2 s. 106 monies – DS said that he had spoken to EC about this and she had obtained confirmation of the amount available i.e. £12,597 and that this can be released to the Council as soon as a contract for the work has been concluded.
6. St. Saviour’s Cemetery
6.1 Gates – PH reported that a quotation has been accepted for the gates to be sand-blasted and repainted. Gate posts – GB confirmed that the Young Offenders unit has agreed to clean up the gate posts – she will contact the unit to find out when this will be done
6.2 Sub-committee – DS suggested that a small sub-committee be formed to meet and discuss various issues including the rabbit problem, possible erection of new fences, required tree surgery, removing ivy from the boundary walls, general maintenance and safety improvements. This was approved and the members of the sub-committee will be DS, GB and DL. GB said that a report regarding tree surgery has already been commissioned and it is expected to arrive in the near future.
6.3 Mapping the cemetery – GB confirmed that a mapping survey had been carried out by the Explorers. EC is in contact with them and DS agreed to ask her to continue with this.
6.4 Legal requirements – DS agreed to contact Maurice Barletta who had done a lot of research into this issue during his period as a Councillor with a view to reporting to the next meeting of the Council as regards what needs to be done.
6.5 Maintenance – agreed that the standard of maintenance of the cemetery by AS Contractors is poor. This will be reviewed and discussed by the sub-committee. PH said that he is in favour of the Council employing a general maintenance worker to ensure that good standards of maintenance are adhered to. Agreed that this should be discussed at the committee’s meeting in August.
7. War Memorial Recreation Ground – it was reported that some cricketers are driving over the lower recreation area to get to the cricket ground instead of using the track running through the football ground – PH agreed to investigate and consider what can be done to stop this happening.
8. Tragedy Memorial – PH reported that there will be a short ceremony on the 20th anniversary of the Tragedy at the Memorial Garden. It was also reported that EC has arranged for Stacey Tuttle to plant some flowers in the garden at a cost of £80-£100 – this was approved.
9. Bridge Street War Memorial – PH reported that this is in good condition and that Tony Lavers is doing a good job. Some paviors need to be replaced and these are being obtained from Travis Perkins.
10. Skateboard park
10.1 Graffiti – this is again a problem – GB agreed to contact Street Care in the hope of getting it removed
10.2 Anti-social behaviour – a continuing problem – DS agreed to contact our new Police Community Support Officer Dave Dobson to see if he would be willing to help
10.3 Youth Council – agreed that EC should be asked to contact the Youth Council to see if they would be willing to adopt the skateboard park as a project and generally help look after it
10.4 Damage to benches – agreed that they should be removed – PH agreed to speak to David Taylor about this
10.5 Locking the gates and possible removal of the walls – PH agreed to investigate and consider and report back
10.6 Litter – agreed that DS will contact Rebecca Scorey and accept her offer of organising another litter-pick as set out in her email of 26th May
10.7 CCTV – agreed that this could perhaps be installed during the course of revamping the children’s playground, i.e. a CCTV system that could maintain surveillance of both areas – to be considered during the playground planning process
11. St Lawrence’s Churchyard – GB reported that the PCC have asked when the trees will be pollarded again – agreed that this should be placed on the agenda for the committee’s meeting in January for a decision
12. Swimming Pool House – nothing to report.
13. Authorisation of Accounts – none were presented for approval.
The meeting closed at 8.30 pm
Date of next meeting : Tuesday 28th August 2007 at 7pm.
Signed……………………………………
David Small, Chairman
28th August 2007
DS 4.1 5.1 6.2 6.4 10.2 10.6
PH 4.4 4.5 7 10.4 10.5
GB 6.1 6.2 10.1
DL 6.2
EC 6.3 10.3
AB & GH 4.3
August 4.3 6.5
September 4.2
January 11