RECREATION / LEISURE COMMITTEE MEETING

MONDAY 1ST JUNE 2009

Present :-   Cllr C. Lofts (Chair), Cllr P. Allen, Cllr D. Bain, Cllr M. Blake

                 Cllr C. Dryden, Cllr J. Godwin, Cllr J. Hart, Cllr M. Johns, Cllr D. Linney,

                 Cllr J. Lynch, Cllr H. Wright, Cllr D. Yates

1.    Apologies for Absence

None.

2a.    Election of Chair

Proposal

Cllr Dryden proposed that Cllr H. Wright be elected as Chair of the Recreation/Leisure Committee for the ensuing year; seconded by Cllr Lynch, all in favour.

Cllr Wright took the Chair for the remainder of the meeting.

2b.    Election of Vice-Chair

Proposal   

Cllr Dryden proposed that Cllr D. Yates be elected as Vice-Chair of the Recreation/Leisure Committee for the ensuing year; seconded by Cllr Allen, all in favour.

3.    Declarations of Interest

None.

4.    Open to the Public

No members of the public were present.

5.    Sure-Start Children's Centres

       Presentation from Jane Pitchfork, Northamptonshire County Council

Jane Pitchfork and her colleague, Michael Robinson, from the Early Years Team attended the meeting to put forward proposals for the Community Centre to accommodate a Sure-Start Children's Centre. Jane confirmed that she would be relocating from her current post this week and Michael will be taking over. 6 weeks ago the TC gave permission for a feasibility study to assess the Community Centre's potential. The architect has drawn up a draft plan of proposed alterations and this was forwarded to all committee members prior to the meeting. Jane outlined the alterations which include a front extension to provide office accommodation and a reception area, division of the current foyer area to provide 2 meeting rooms with a dividing screen that can be moved, the addition of a disabled toilet and baby changing facilities, renewal of the kitchen, and general refurbishment of the interior and new flooring.

Cllr Johns asked whether any consideration had been given to updating the heating system as this is very outdated and could not be relied upon in the long-term. Jane confirmed she would look at providing a budget to address the heating/boiler.

Cllr Lynch queried whether there would be a clash with the current hirers. Jane confirmed that upon the TC agreeing in principle to the proposals they would negotiate over existing bookings. N. C. C. would be looking for a tenure of 25 years to secure capital funding. The Heads of Terms would need to be agreed prior to any works commencing and this would include break clauses both parties as funding cannot be guaranteed beyond 2011. She anticipated that all of the premises would continue to be available to the community except for 1 meeting room and the office accommodation.

Cllr Linney questioned whether the TC would be responsible for ongoing maintenance. Jane confirmed that if the TC wanted to maintain its status as landlord it would continue to be responsible for ongoing maintenance.

Committee members thanked Jane and Michael for attending the meeting.

6.    Towcester Youth & Community Centre

a)    Discussion on the plans for a Sure-Start Children's Centre at the Community Centre

The committee discussed the N. C. C. proposals at length. The general consensus was in favour of the proposals provided that an agreement can be reached over Head of Terms. Cllr Johns considered the Children's Centre would be of great benefit to Towcester; he referred to the issue of storage stating that this was fundamental to joint usage being successful. Cllr Allen suggested a separate entrance could be introduced at the rear of the building for hirers using the hall. Cllr Godwin felt the TC should request more options on the movable screens; as the meeting rooms take up a large amount of space in the foyer this would make the centre more versatile for hirers. Cllr Johns advised that the rent charged to N. C. C. would need to cover the additional cost of utilites, caretaking/cleaning and provide towards ongoing maintenance.

Proposal

Cllr Lynch proposed that the TC agree to the proposals in principle with the following conditions:

The TC can come to a suitable arrangement on behalf of its existing hirers

No work carried out by N. C. C. will be in lieu of rent

Further options are provided on movable screens for the meeting rooms

Consideration is given to an additional entrance is provided at the rear side of the centre

seconded by Cllr Allen, all in favour.

b)    Financial Update

As of today, the Community Centre account has a balance of £1,177.63, once the repayment of £1,000.00 has been made to the TC. The Clerk confirmed that a large demand for gas was received for the period when the centre was closed. She wrote to British Gas instructing them to take a meter reading but the funds were still debited from the account. The Clerk will follow this matter up.

c)    Community Centre Bookings

The Clerk confirmed that N. C. C. will be running a drama class and babysitting class from the Community Centre between July and October. The additional income from these bookings will be very welcome.

7.    The Environment Agency

       Land on the Belle Baulk Open Spaces

Information from the Environment Agency on the collapsed bank and head wall was forwarded to all committee members prior to the meeting. The Clerk and Cllr Allen met on site with Alex Rothwell from of the Environment Agency with the aim of establishing responsibility for the repair works and the removal of trees in this area. Cllr Allen confirmed that the Sponne & Bickerstaffe Charity have land in this area and had also been approached. He described the repairs as a major piece of civil engineering which he considers the Environment Agency itself to be responsible for. Following further discussion:-

Proposal

Cllr Linney proposed the TC write to the Environment Agency stating it is not responsible for the collapsed bank and head wall at Belle Baulk; seconded by Cllr Godwin, all in favour.

8.    The PSP Association

The PSP Association is one of the Town Mayors nominated charities for this year and their emblem is the magnolia. They have contacted the TC to request permission to plant a magnolia on open space in the town. Cllr Lofts has discussed this with the Clerk and both agreed that Sawpitts Green would be the best location, particularly being situated close to the PSP Headquarters. Cllr Allen advised that careful consideration must be given to its planting as the magnolia can grow very large. The committee agreed the request.

9.    Allianz Insurance

Correspondence from Allianz Insurance confirms that the Public Liability element of the TC insurance will increase by 20% for the forthcoming year. This increase reflects the claims made against the TC in the past year, which the Clerk went on to detail. The increase was anticipated and the annual premium still comes within the TC budget.

10.    Health & Safety Inspections

The Clerk confirmed that minor repairs will be carried out as a result of the last monthly inspection of the TC street furniture.

Recreation Ground

The TC contractor has removed the cradle swing following a report from the public concerning wear to a bolt. The Clerk confirmed that misuse of the swing is causing problems although it is intended to withstand 0any weight. The contractor has agreed to contact the supplier, Playdale, to discuss whether it can be reinforced.

The seat on the Wrexham unit is cracked and will be replaced

There has been an incident with the self-closing gate to the play area where a little boy hurt his head when the gate sprang back. The Clerk met with the contractor on site and the contractor has now installed a buffer on the gate. The Clerk will look into the price of new gates.

Belle Baulk

The wood on the toddler slide is starting to rot. It may be possible to replace this piece of equipment from the budget.

8 pickets have been replaced on the fence

Belle Baulk Adventure Playground

The chains on the chain walk have loosened

The Shires

The cargo net is beginning to wear

The spring on the gate needs repairing

11.    Land at the rear of Sandringham Close

Correspondence from Vicky Walker of Arnold Thomson Solicitors confirms she has finally heard from the Treasury Solicitor and they have agreed to transfer the area of land to the rear of Sandringham Close to the TC. They are seeking a contribution to their costs of £400.00 with consideration for the land of £500.00 and registration fees of £40.00. They have enquired whether the TC would wish to take over two additional areas, enclosing a map indicating these. The Clerk has been on site to identify the two locations; 1 area is a piece of highway verge on Buckingham Way that the TC already maintains and the second is a concrete pathway joining Kensington and Sandringham Close.

Proposal

Cllr John proposed that the TC instructs its Solicitor to proceed with taking over all three areas indicated by the Treasury Solicitor;

seconded by Cllr Allen, all in favour.

12.    Recreation Ground

Cllr Dryden had left the meeting early. The Clerk confirmed she was looking for volunteers to form a sub-committee to help source external funding for new play equipment as well as deciding what to provide with the current budget. Cllr Lynch and Cllr Allen

volunteered.

13.    Wallgate Handwashing Appliances

Correspondence from Wallgate confirms the service contract for the two handwashing and drying units at Moat Lane toilets are due

for renewal. The total cost is £456.00. Noted.

14.    Correspondence relating to shrubbed areas on the Recreation Ground

Correspondence from two residents of Meadow Court regarding the shrubbed area at the top left-hand corner of the Recreation Ground was forwarded to all committee members prior to the meeting. The general complaint is the area is overgrown and unsightly, is used as a toilet and gathers litter. The Clerk has been on site and considers the area would benefit from being coppiced as it has not been cut back for some time. It was agreed that the shrubs should not be removed entirely as they do provide some screening from the Recreation Ground for residents of Meadow Court .

Proposal

Cllr Lynch proposed that the Clerk reply suggesting that issues relating to public order offences be reported to the police and a crime reference obtained. The shrubbed area would benefit from a trim and this should be carried out on advice from the TC contractor, taking into consideration the issue of nesting birds; seconded by Cllr Linney, all in favour.