DRAFT

Minutes of the Recreation, Amenities and War Memorials committee held on Tuesday

25^th September 2007 in the Magistrates room, Corn Exchange complex, Hungerford.

                Present:  D. Small (Chair), G. Bullock, P. Harries, E. Cardwell, M. Wilson, D. Liddiard, R. Beard, A Bell

                                and J. Hutchings (Clerk).

                                Observers: A. Buckwell, D. Pope.

                Sgt. Caroline Harrison in attendance.

                1)             Apologies for absence

                                Apologies were received on behalf of R. Tarry and G. Humphrey.

                2)             Declaration of Interests

Cllr Liddiard declared a personal interest in St Saviour’s Cemetery as he knows one of the

                                people tendering for work there.

                                Cllrs Bullock & Wilson declared personal interests in St Lawrence Church

                3)             Minutes of 5^th September 2007

Amendment:  remove reference to the Cricket Club in 4.6. grass cutting as there will be no need for the

                                Cricket Club to resume at the end of the season.

07/R004                                Proposed:  Cllr Bullock, second:  Cllr Wilson that subject to the above amendment the minutes be signed

                                as a true and accurate record.   Agreed.   The minutes were signed by Cllr Small.

                4)             Triangle Field

i)              The Rugby Clubhouse building is up and the roof trusses are on.

                                                Once the roof is on and the windows in place the building will be secure.

                                                Cllr Liddiard has acquired sanitary items from Norlands.

                                                There is a meeting of the development committee tomorrow (26^th).

                                ii)             Pitch Fees:   Hungerford Juniors FC now need 1 three-quarters pitch and one mini pitch.

                                                Wickham Wanderers require the same pitches as for the last season.

                                Fees will be:

                                Hungerford Juniors FC £1,000 for the season

07/R005                                Proposed:  Cllr Bullock, second:  Cllr Liddiard.   Vote: 6 in favour, 1 abstention.   Carried.

                                Wickham Wanderers £2,400 for the season.

07/R006                                Proposed:  Cllr Cardwell, second:  Cllr Wilson.   Vote:  all in favour.

                                Hungerford Rugby Club £1,600 for the season.

07/R007                                Proposed:  Small, second:  Cllr Cardwell.  Vote:  all in favour.

                                Cllr Harries explained the reason for changing the gate security system to a combination lock.

                                A. Bell queried the key deposits that have been paid.   These will be returned.

                                Cllr Harries has cleared the guttering and the Triangle Field Development committee will look

                                at the parking needs at the facility.

To accommodate Sgt Harrison items from agenda 6 were moved forward.

                6)             Playgrounds

Sgt Harrison reported that as a result of the Coldharbour Road roll-call anti-social behaviour had

                                been identified at the Skate Park during the evenings.   This was not caused by the users but by

                                youths using the car park.

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                                Cllr Cardwell reported that 2 cars were parked there regularly but she did not have the registration numbers,

                                also that during lunchtime and after school there is an influx of users in the Skate Park some of whom

                                are from Lambourn and Kintbury.

                                There has been damage to one of the ramps.   Need to know when it happened and if it was reported

                                to the police so that the clerk can make an insurance claim.

                                At Smitham Bridge Playground the tyre swing and safety matting have both been damaged by fire.

                                It was suggested that there should be Youth Council involvement in these areas.

                                Cllrs Pope and Harries and Roger Beard volunteered to form a working party.   PCSO Dave Dobson

                                should be involved and Sgt Harrison asked to be told when the group were going to meet.

                                Sgt Harrison withdrew from the meeting.

                5)             War Memorial and Recreation Ground

                                HTC’s strimmer is at present at the Cricket Club.

                6)             Playgrounds

                                Jim Thorburn of Lappset has spoken to Cllr Cardwell and arranged an immediate start in Bulpit Lane

                                today the 25^th but in fact started dismantling yesterday.   The sub-contractors estimate that the work

                                will take 3 – 5 weeks.   On completion a ROSPA report will be arranged by Lappset.   Signage is to

                                be arranged and Cllr Cardwell will email Stuart Souden re this.

                                The Smitham Bridge refurbishment will be started when Bulpit Lane is finished.   The Round Table

                                will prepare the ground.

                7)             St Saviour’s Cemetery

The gates are with AC Shotblasting for refurbishment.   The pillars will be refurbished by the YOT.

                                Tree surgery and bushes need attending to now. 

                                HTC’s maintenance contractor will cut the Garden of Remembrance.

Rabbits will be dealt with in November – item to appear on the next Agenda.

07/R008                                Proposed:  Cllr Liddiard, second:  Cllr Harries that JPH Forestry’s quotation for tree work in the

                                sum of £2575 + VAT be accepted.   Vote: all in favour.

07/R009                                Proposed:  Cllr Bullock, second:  Cllr Harries:  that the second item on JPH Forestry’s estimate

                                in the sum of £940 be accepted subject to negotiations.

                                Standing agenda items not covered through lack of time – next agenda.

Meeting closed:  9pm.

Date of next meeting:  Tuesday 30^th October 2007, 7pm.

Signed……………………………..

Chairman, Recreation, Amenities & War Memorials