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RECREATION
/ LEISURE COMMITTEE MEETING
MONDAY
16TH FEBRUARY 2009
Present
: Cllr C. Dryden (Chair), Cllr P. Allen, Cllr J.
Godwin, Cllr D. Linney,
Cllr J. Lynch, Cllr C. Stanger, Cllr H.
Wright, Cllr D. Yates
1.
Apologies for Absence
Cllr
M. Johns, Cllr C. Lofts
2.
Declarations of Interest
Cllr
Dryden declared and interest in Item 5 – Nicholas Hawksmoor Pocket
Park. Cllr Dryden signed the Declarations of Interest Register accordingly.
3.
Open to the Public
Mr
Sinclair and Mr Garlick of Keats Drive attended the meeting for
an update on the removal of safety barriers on Brackley Road . The
Clerk confirmed that the matter is still in the hands of S.N.C.
and N.C.C. and at this time she had no further information. The
Clerk agreed to contact S.N.C. Solicitor, Sarah Hagan, to establish
whether any progress has been made.
4.
Docklewell Close
Request for removal of the seat on the open area to
the rear of Docklewell Close
Copies
of emails received from Mr Norris were forwarded to all committee
members prior to the meeting. The most recent email from Mr Norris
has again requested the removal of the seat to the rear of Docklewell
Close. The Clerk reported on the site meeting with Mr Norris July
2008 attended by the Clerk, Town Mayor, Mr Norris and two representatives
from the Towcester Safer Communities Team. Cllr Stanger confirmed
there were no problems with anti-social behaviour at that time and
the area was being included in regular foot patrols by the Police.
It was agreed at the site meeting that Mr Norris would report all
incidents of anti-social behaviour to the Police and any litter
problems direct to the TC. Since July 2008, the Clerk has received
one complaint with respect to litter, which was dealt with by the
TC litter picker. One incident of anti-social behaviour was reported
during the Christmas period. Mr Norris is not satisfied with the
way in which this matter has been dealt with by the TC and may register
his complaint with the Standards Board. Cllr Lynch suggested the
Clerk write to Mr Norris to re-iterate the outcome of the site meeting
in July 2008.
Proposal
Cllr
Linney proposed that, as the situation has not significantly changed
since July 2008, the Town Council take no action with respect to
the removal of the seat to the rear of Docklewell Close;
seconded
by Cllr Lynch, all in favour.
5.
Nicholas Hawksmoor Pocket Park
Cllr
Yates took the Chair for this item. A copy of the constitution for
the Nicholas Hawksmoor Pocket Park Committee and minutes of its
last meeting were distributed to members prior to the meeting. Cllr
Lofts requested a copy of the constitution to establish the membership
of the committee. The constitution stipulates that 1 representative
of the TC should be on the committee but this has lapsed over a
period of time. It was agreed that membership is unbalanced in favour
of the school and the TC will request the constitution be amended
to allow 2 representatives of the TC on the committee. Cllr Yates
and Cllr Wright volunteered to represent the TC.
The
minutes of last Nicholas Hawksmoor Pocket Park Committee meeting
were discussed at length. Cllr Lynch proposed that the minutes be
objected as they wrongly indicate the TC has agreed to take over
litter picking of the site.
Proposal
Cllr
Lynch proposed that, in the first instance, the TC should request
a key for the site and confirmation of the current opening/closing
times. Once this information has been received the committee can
discuss when the TC will be prepared to open/close the Pocket Park
and carry out litter picking duties;
seconded
by Cllr Linney, all in favour.
6.
Towcester Youth & Community Centre
a)
Update on Refurbishment Works
Confirmation
has been received from the contractor that the refurbishment works
will be completed for the Community Centre to reopen week commencing
2 nd March 2009 . All user groups have been informed; however, it
is already clear a number of bookings have been lost.
b)
Financial Update
The
balance of the TYCC account stood at £642.00 on 31st January
2009 . The Clerk referred to the water leak at the Community Centre
which has resulted in increased charges from £13p/m to £110p/m.
The source of the leak is yet to be identified. The Clerk has received
a quotation of £1,450.00 for works to identify and repair
the leak. There are insufficient funds in the account to meet the
cost.
Proposal
Cllr
Lynch proposed that the cost of works to identify and repair the
water leak at the Community Centre be met from the Town Council's
budget for contingencies;
seconded
by Cllr Stanger, all in favour.
7.
Play Equipment / Street Furniture
Tender
documents for repainting of the Town Council's street furniture
and play equipment were forwarded to:-
D.
J. Hutchings
R.
Fagan
D
& S Pannell
The
closing date for tenders was 13th February. The Clerk has received
two quotations:-
D.
J. Hutchings £8343.00
D
& S Pannell £7397.00
Proposal
Cllr
Linney proposed that the contract for repainting the Town Council's
street furniture and play equipment be awarded to D & S Pannell;
seconded
by Cllr Lynch, all in favour.
8.
Health & Safety Inspections
The
Clerk confirmed that the contractor was unable to carry out the
weekly inspection due to the adverse weather conditions. Minor works
identified during the annual ROSPA inspection are currently in hand.
Proposal
Cllr
Lynch proposed that the meeting be moved into Closed Session;
seconded
by Cllr Stanger, all in favour.
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