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RECREATION
/ LEISURE COMMITTEE MEETING
MONDAY
2ND JUNE 2008
Present:
Cllr C. Stanger, Cllr P. Allen, Cllr V. Baker, Cllr
C. Dryden, Cllr J. Godwin,
Cllr M. Johns,
Cllr C. Lofts, Cllr J. Lynch, Cllr H. Wright, Cllr D. Yates
1.
Apologies for Absence
Mrs
D. Isaacs Town Clerk
Cllr
D. Linney
2.
Declarations of Interest
None.
3a.
Election of Chairman
Proposal
Cllr
Baker proposed that Cllr Dryden be elected as Chairman of the Recreation/Leisure
Committee for the ensuing year; seconded by Cllr Godwin, All in
favour.
Cllr
Dryden took the Chair for the remainder of the meeting.
3b.
Election of Vice-Chairman
Proposal
Cllr
Johns proposed that Cllr Yates be elected as Vice-Chairman of the
Recreation/Leisure Committee for the ensuing year; seconded by Cllr
Lynch, All in favour.
4.
Open to the Public
No
members of the public were present.
5.
Recreation Ground
a)
Update on the Provision of New Equipment for the
Children's Play Area
The
Clerk recently held a site meeting on the RG play area with the
TC contractor, John Murray. He expressed concern regarding corrosion
near to fixing bolts on the tall slide and recommended its removal
as soon as possible.
Proposal
Cllr
Godwin proposed that the tall slide on the Recreation Ground play
area be removed as soon as possible; seconded by Cllr Lynch, 9 in
favour, 1 abstention.
Cllr
Dryden and Cllr Wright have been working to establish funding sources
for new equipment on the Recreation Ground. Cllr Dryden has met
with Kompan who advised the age group from toddler to 6 is currently
underserved. Kompan has estimated it will cost £35-£40,000
to transform the toddler provision. Cllr Wright will be making an
application to Cllr Bromwich for a share of her NCC grant. There
is also £1 million of funding earmarked by the Northamptonshire
Young Children & People Partnership for playground refurbishment
projects. Cllr Allen questioned the removal of well-used equipment
in favour of pieces aimed only at toddlers. Cllr Dryden confirmed
that nothing would be decided without prior consultations.
b)
Skateboard Mobile Lighting
Cllr
Yates reported back from the trial of mobile lighting at the skateboard
park. Of the 3 trial nights scheduled with SNC, only 1 took place.
The feedback from the users was extremely positive and they would
be in favour of lighting twice per week on set nights. Waitrose
has confirmed it would promote any scheduled dates as it is keen
to encourage skateboarders from its car park but was vague when
Cllr Yates enquired about the store contributing towards the cost.
The Police were also positive as the evening was well attended and
the users are good at self policing. PCSO Michelle Bagwell did raise
concern that any permanent lighting installed may be subject to
vandalism and suggested lights bedded into the ramps. The committee
felt this suggestion could be disregarded as Cllr Yates could find
no evidence that this type of lighting would be suitable.
The
committee agreed that the possibility of installing permanent lighting
should be investigated further. Cllr Yates referred to the Youth
Opportunities Fund and whether users could be encouraged to apply
directly for a grant towards the lighting scheme. Cllr Lynch suggested
the TC needs to get proper support from SNC, Waitrose and the Police
as these bodies will all benefit. Cllr Johns suggested these bodies
be invited to submit the necessary planning application. The committee
agreed the cost of the lighting, installation and power supply must
be established before this matter can be progressed.
c)
Play Equipment Birds Nest Swing
Cllr
Dryden confirmed that the Birds Nest Swing was taken down at the
beginning of May as one of the shackles had broken. She described
the nature of the repair needed, which is scheduled for this week.
It was agreed to monitor problems with the swing as this is the
second repair since its installation last year.
6.
Transfer of Open Spaces
The
Clerk and Cllr Dryden recently attended a site meeting at Alchester
Court with representatives from the developers and SNC regarding
the transfer of open spaces to the TC. Ian Lorman, tree specialist
for SNC, identified areas of unsuitable planting which will need
to be addressed. The commuted sum for the transfer of the open spaces
is approximately £55,000. The committee agreed in principle
to the transfer of the open space once the snagging works are completed.
Cllr Lynch enquired whether Ian Lorman would be prepared to submit
written confirmation that the remaining trees will not present any
future problems, prior to completion of the transfer.
7.
Persimmon Homes Public Open Spaces
The Shires, Northampton Road
Correspondence
from Persimmon Homes enquires whether the TC would be prepared to
adopt a short length of footway and some verges on the Shires development.
NCC has confirmed it is unwilling to adopt the land as it serves
no highway purpose. In view of the lack of progress made by Persimmon
Homes to bring the development up to standard, the committee agreed
that the TC should not undertake to adopt any of the open areas
at this stage.
8.
Belle Baulk Open Space Commuted Sum
Correspondence
from SNC confirms the commuted sum of £76,000 for the transfer
of open space on the Belle Baulk development. The TC has already
agreed to the transfer and SNC maintenance contractors have been
given 3 months notice which expires in August. As requested by the
committee, the Clerk had written to SNC to make enquiries with respect
the interest earned on the developers original contribution of £274,000.
In its letter, SNC states:-
The
Section 106 Agreement does not specify that a third party should
be offered the ownership of the public open space, together with
a commuted sum for ongoing maintenance. Therefore, the council has
not specifically ring fenced any interest relating to the sum held,
for transfer to a third party'.
Cllr
Johns considered the developers contribution should have been ring
fenced for the maintenance of this specific area and would like
the TC dissatisfaction to be registered with SNC.
9.
Health & Safety Inspections
The
quarterly playground inspections were carried out by Cllr Lofts
and Cllr Stanger on 19th May and was reported back as follows:-
Belle
Baulk Toddler's Play Area
Shrubs
overgrown and overhanging trees Cllr Dryden confirmed that these
are cut back annually
Slats
missing from the picket fence in hand with the TC contractor
No
litter bin The Clerk confirmed the TC has a spare litter bin that
could be sited on this area
Some
glass beneath the slide
Proposal
Cllr
Lofts proposed that a litter bin is installed at the Belle Baulk
Toddler's Play Area; seconded by Cllr Stanger, All in favour.
Belle
Baulk Adventure Playground
Table
in log cabin is fire damaged
Chains
on the walkway need tightening.
Wooden
footholds on the walkway have split - Cllr Dryden has obtained a
quotation from Playdale for repairs to the equipment.
Proposal
Cllr
Johns proposed that Playdale is instructed to proceed with repairs
to equipment on the Belle Baulk Adventure Playground in accordance
with its quotation; seconded by Cllr Lynch, All in favour.
Sandyhome
Road Adventure Playground
Bolt
on the Monkey bar rail is loose and sticking out Cllr Dryden is
to contact Playdale on this matter.
Recreation
Ground
Cradle
swing missing to be repaired and re-installed this week by Playdale
Rubber
matting beneath the cradle swing is lifting Cllr Dryden confirmed
that top soil needs adding to this area and reseeding
Seat
near to the junior swings has been removed the Clerk arranged
the removal of the damaged seat
Paint
is peeling on the climbing frame and slide the slide is scheduled
for removal. Other play equipment is to be repainted.
Bolt
missing on the youth shelter in hand with the TC contractor
Play
Area, The Shires
No
problems to report
10.
Towcester Youth & Community Centre
The
Clerk's Assistant confirmed that the balance of the TYCC account
stood at £3448.43 at 30th April. Noted.
Proposal
Cllr
Johns proposed that the meeting move into Closed Session; seconded
by Cllr Stanger, All in favour.
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