RECREATION / LEISURE COMMITTEE MEETING

MONDAY 18TH FEBRUARY 2008

Present :   Cllr C. Dryden (Chairman), Cllr P. Allen, Cllr V. Baker, Cllr J. Godwin,

                Cllr M. Hornett, Cllr M. Johns, Cllr J. Lynch, Cllr C. Stanger,

                Cllr H. Wright, Cllr D. Yates

                PCSO James Herbert – Towcester Safer Communities Team

1.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Cllr D. Linney, Cllr C. Lofts

2.    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

None.

3.    OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

No members of the public were present.

4.    VISION

Cllr Baker reported back from the meeting she attended last week to discuss the new structure of Vision. Cllr Baker confirmed that the current set up relating to the funding and running of Vision is quite confusing. Zoe Hales is the main youth worker who has been running the club with 3 main assistants, 2 of whom are teenagers on the committee. A new contract has been awarded to Big V and they will no longer be supporting Zoe with face to face delivery. Zoe has confirmed that the club will reduce its opening to 2 evenings per week until she leaves in 6 weeks time. A grant application has been submitted to fund a full time youth worker and the outcome of this is yet to be determined. Plans are being made to form a new management committee and it is anticipated that representatives from SNC and the TC will form part of this. Cllr Baker commented on the lack of adult volunteers to support the activities and the resulting problems with anti-social behaviour. She informed the meeting that Zoe hard worked extremely hard and this should be acknowledged. A further meeting will be held on 11th March at 10.30am .

Cllr Allen considered Zoe had done a very good job in her capacity. The situation at Vision proves the need for a proper youth service to support organisations such as Millennium Volunteers and the University of Northampton . Cllr Johns advised that the monies raised from Council Tax levied on second homes was supposed to be providing youth facilities but the NCC website indicates that these monies will now be invested in the Derngate Theatre. Cllr Baker commented that in a town the size of Towcester it is regrettable that more adult volunteers cannot be found to supervise these activities.

b)    Anti-Social Behaviour

The Clerk referred to the meeting of the Joint Action Group (JAG) which took place on 14th February. Inspector Hitchon advised that most calls to the Police result from anti-social behaviour and not crime. PCSO James Herbert confirmed that over the past two weekends problems have been reported at the Waitrose store, Richmond Road and Brackley Road . He confirmed that following the Police attention given to Belle Baulk, this area has been very quiet with no problems reported in the past 3 weeks. The usual underage drinkers are not visible in the town but the Police are aware of their new meeting point and will be dealing with this separately.  Letters are being sent home to all parents of those caught drinking underage with a mixed, but mostly positive response. Anti-Social Behaviour Agreements are being imposed and this course of action is beginning to take effect. PSCO Herbert referred to the problem with anti-social behaviour at Vision and considered this to be the result of insufficient staffing levels.

The Clerk confirmed that a representative of Trading Standards attended the JAG meeting and confirmed that his organisation has identified one retailer selling alcohol to underage children. As a result, the retailer has been summoned to the Magistrates Court . Trading Standards will continue to carry out test purchases in Towcester. Cllr Johns is pleased that progress is being made but referred to the Police request to remove the log cabin at Belle Baulk. In hindsight, the TC was correct in not agreeing to remove this equipment and lessons should be learnt from this. Cllr Hornett also attended the JAG meeting in his capacity as Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator. He referred to the meeting as ‘very positive' with good representation from all agencies.

The Clerk referred to £90,000 still available in the Youth Opportunities Fund administered by Caroline Neill of SNC. The Clerk will be arranging a meeting to establish whether the TC is eligible to apply for any of this funding. Cllr Dryden has been investigating potential funding sources for recreation and asked for volunteers from the committee to assist.

The Clerk had forwarded an email from a resident of Byron Close to all members of the committee prior to the meeting. It refers to a recent incident of anti-social behaviour which resulted in dog waste being smeared onto their front door. The Police are aware and consider it to be an isolated incident as they have not received any other complaints from this area.

5.    Towcester Youth & Community Centre

       Financial Update

The Clerk confirmed that the balance of the Community Centre account stands at £3988.00 as of today's date. Additional expenditure was detailed as follows:-

£266.00 on sensor lights outside the Community Centre

£588.00 large gas bill, following a number of estimated readings

£170.00 for vertical blinds to the Community Centre

£203.00 for roof repair works

6.    Skateboard Park

Cllr Dryden confirmed she has spoken with Caroline Neill from SNC with regards to using its mobile lighting for the skateboard park. A volunteer from the committee is needed to help one evening with setting up a test of the lighting. If successful, SNC has agreed to provide the lighting and supervision for 1 evening per week for the next 4 weeks. This will take us into the lighter evenings, after which, the TC would be expected to fund this activity. The Clerk has confirmed with ROSPA that the lighting is suitable. Cllr Baker queried the merit of this exercise as 4 evenings would not be sufficient to prove the success of the lighting, adding that the TC has no budget to fund this activity next season. Cllr Godwin was concerned that the TC had informed nearby residents that the skateboard park would not be lit to deter young people from gathering late into the night. It was agreed to proceed with the test evening and Cllr Dryden will inform committee members of the date as soon as possible.

7.    Report back from Cunningham & Lindsey

The Clerk referred to the report from Cunningham & Lindsey concerning potential subsidence damage to 27 Belle Baulk. The Clerk has sought advice from Ian Lorman of SNC who has confirmed that the group of trees has been planted too close to resident's boundary fence and should be removed to prevent subsidence to their property.

Proposal

Cllr Lynch proposed that the TC contractor be instructed to remove the group of trees at 27 Belle Baulk; seconded by Cllr Baker, All in favour.

8.    Footpath from the Library to Watling Street

Cllr Stanger has been approached by a member of the public concerning the condition of the pathway that runs between Towcester Library and Watling Street . The footpath is in private ownership but has a pedestrian right of way. Cllr Stanger informed the meeting that the TC can obtain an application form from NCC for an Improvement Order, which means that work on the pathway will be prioritised. In the past Atkins has filled the potholes with tarmac but this has not resolved the problem.

Proposal

Cllr Stanger proposed that the TC completes a Improvement Order for the pathway between Towcester Library and Watling Street ; seconded by Cllr Baker, All in favour.

9.    Belle Baulk – Transfer of Open Spaces

Members of the committee were shown the map of Belle Baulk and the Clerk confirmed that the 2nd half of the open space is due to be transferred to the TC. SNC has confirmed there will be approximately £72,000 of Section 106 monies remaining for maintenance of the open space by the time the transfer completes. Prior to this, an inspection of the area is required to ensure that all is in order. Cllr Johns asked whether interest accrued on the Section 106 monies is passed to the TC. The Clerk agreed to query this with SNC.

Proposal

Cllr Johns proposed that the TC agree to take over the 2nd half of the space at Belle Baulk; seconded by Cllr Allen, All in favour.

10.    Health & Safety Inspections

The Clerk reported back on Health & Safety Inspection carried out today as follows:-

Belle Baulk Toddler's Play Area

No obvious defects with the play equipment

The play equipment needs repainting

7 slats missing from the picket fence (on site)

The area was litter free

Belle Baulk Adventure Playground

Repairs to the log cabin and retention of the chains on the equipment is in hand

Small amount of litter on site and on the pathway to the play area

Sandyhome Road Play Area

No obvious defects with the play equipment

A small amount of litter on site

Recreation Ground

No obvious defects with the play equipment

Signs have been moved on their posts

A small amount of litter near to the youth shelter

Play Area, The Shires

No obvious defects with the play equipment

The gate is due to be repaired by Persimmon Homes

A small amount of litter on site

The Clerk confirmed that the TC seat situated on Northampton Road will be removed as it is damaged beyond repair.

11.    Correspondence

a)    Moorfield Hedge overlooking the flood plain

Correspondence from the Warden, Mrs Linney, enquires whether the TC is responsible for maintenance of the hedging backing onto bungalows 11 and 12 and also the hedging along the car park. Cllr Allen queried why this letter had not been sent from the Secretary of the Sponne & Bickerstaffe Charity and confirmed he would take up this matter up and report back.

b)    The Removal of Safety Barriers adjacent to 83 Brackley Road

The Clerk referred to further correspondence from Mrs Causebrook with regards to the right of access to 83 Brackley Road via the public footpath. The TC previously responded to Mrs Causebrook advising the she must liaise with NCC, who is responsible for the safety barriers, to conclude how the right of access will be exercised.

Proposal

Cllr Johns proposed that the Clerk contact the NCC for advice on this matter; seconded by Cllr Lynch, All in favour.

12.    Ball Games on Windsor Close

Cllr Dryden has been on site and circulated photographs of the area. The photographs show a considerable length of fence where the resident has sought advice from the TC regarding the constant disturbance from balls being kicked against it. They have asked permission to introduce planting on the TC land to reduce the impact from balls hitting the fence. Cllr Lynch suggested the resident be advised to remove the fence and introduce planting on their own land, reinstalling the fence behind it. This will absolve any problems which may arise concerning future maintenance.

13.    Dog Bins

The Clerk reported back from a recent meeting with the contractor responsible for emptying the dog waste bins. Following a period of monitoring, the contractor has identified 10 bins that would benefit from being empted twice-weekly and 1 bin which could be re-sited as it is hardly used. The Clerk confirmed that a number of bins are being used to dispose of items such as garden waste. Signs have been fixed to all of the bins to try and deter this. The financial implication of the additional emptying was pointed out by the Clerk.

Proposal

Cllr Godwin proposed that the contractor be given permission to empty the 10 bins identified as over-used on a twice-weekly basis; seconded by Cllr Lynch, All in favour.