Minutes of the Recreation Amenities & War Memorials Committee meeting held on Tuesday 27th February in the Town Hall Hungerford.
Present: E Cardwell, G Bullock, R Ballard, P Harries, M Wilson, D Liddiard, S Scorey, R Tarry, C Ticehurst, A Bell, S Mills, F Bailey
Apologies for Absence- R Desmeules, R Thompson, J Hutchings
Declarations of interest- G B & M W PCC St Lawrence, E C Triangle Field (Book not present for signing).
Minutes of 30th January 2007- Proposed by Cllr Harries, seconded Cllr Wilson. All agreed. The minutes were signed by Cllr Cardwell and Ballard.
Triangle Field Development-
i) Hoped start date will not be met. Builders have found a cess pit which needs moving and emptying as near to the build date as possible. Clerk to obtain quotes. Cllr Liddiard suggested David Rhodes from Bedwyn tel; 07970 673615.
ii) Wickham Tournament to be held on 19th/20th May
Rugby Club hope to start an under 7’s mini league in June/July Sundays 10.30-12.00
Discussion on when best to utilise aging grass seed. Clerk to advise S Mills when grass seeding to occur and whether the mini league can proceed.
Review of HTC Equipment
Cllr Harries & Cllr Ballard had examined the damaged Ransom mower which is beyond economic repair according to correspondence from OAKES Bros. It was felt that the council could not sustain these large bills and that the time had come to go out to tender, asking contractors to use their own machinery. HTC needs three quotes. Proposed Cllr Ticehurst that a policy decision be made to only use contractor’s equipment. Seconded D. Liddiard. Carried Unanimously. Broadmead Services, AS Contractors and Cricket Club to be asked to quote. Clerk to arrange. Tractor unit still viable. Cllr Liddiard offered his rotary mower in the interim.
Report on Playgrounds Sub Committee
Meeting held on 21/2/06 with D Gaines, E Cardwell & R Ballard
D Gaines advised WBC had obtained 4 quotes from companies to allow the lottery application be made but these were not definitive. The application had been successful for 50k and HTC was to provide a further 30k. Stuart Souden at WBC has led the application but it has been agreed that HTC will be part of the decision process. The sub committee members were reviewed and it was agreed that Cllrs. Cardwell, Bullock and Ballard would form this proposed D Liddiard seconded M Wilson. D Gaines would also be a member.
SmithamBridge Playground
Looking sad. Glen McDermot is to be the new Chairman of Round Table in April and has agreed to make the removal of the multi play equipment and two tunnels his first project. Cllr Ballard had agreed to liaise with him and confirm, for safety sake, that the removal will also include foundations.
War Memorials & Recreation Ground
Tony Lavers has started and all is looking good. Cllr Cardwell suggested purchasing bulbs for next spring. It is hoped that the new playground could be in place for the summer. Clerk to advise the sub- committee where the 30k HTC contribution is to be made from.
St Saviour’s Churchyard
No information re; AS Contractors bid for children’s Burial area. Leave until next meeting. Teddy Bear gravestone was discussed and proposed D Liddiard, seconded R Scorey that it be allowed. Carried unanimously.
St Lawrence Churchyard
S/Orders suspended allowing Fred Bailey to speak. Proposed Cllr Harries, Seconded Cllr Wilson. All supported. Mr Bailey reported with disappointment that Orange had withdrawn and is in the process of reviewing all its future installations. However there is another interested party in T Mobile but this will have to go before QS4, Archbishop Council, although Norman Russell is supportive. English Heritage as consultees. A cherry picker would still be needed and the iron archway would need removing which would further damage the path and wall. Town and Manor have agreed to provide a new gate and T mobile are agreeable to discussion re wall and path repairs. T Mobile estimates that all could be done in 10 months.
i) Estimate of work presented from JPH Forestry Ltd re tree pollarding and general tree maintenance. Mr Bailey reported hearses were being disturbed and requested tree pollarding to allow for 8 feet clearance. It was agreed to look into removing ivy in the SE section of the churchyard and dangerous collapsing tree as itemised in John Handy’s analysis. G Bullock to liaise with Mr Handy.
ii) F. Bailey advised that the bell ringer’s letter would need to go before St.Lawrence PCC for discussion as they were unaware of it. Agreed.
Proposed Cllr Scorey, seconded Cllr. Cardwell that s/orders be reinstated. All in favour.
G Bullock advised the meeting that the tree in the east corner would be dealt with by the owner Mr Frankall at his own expense.
Bridge Street War Memorial
Clerk to confirm that AM Electrics have replaced the missing padlock.
Tragedy Memorial
Nothing to report
Swimming Pool House
Resolved to deal with items of repair as quoted in agents letter 1,2 and 3 without delay. Agreed rent increase. Propsed Cllr Cardwell, Seconded Cllr Wilson. All agreed. Clerk to advise Marc Allen.
Meeting closed at 9.00pm