RECREATION / LEISURE COMMITTEE MEETING

MONDAY 19TH OCTOBER 2009

Present :   Cllr H. Wright (Chair), Cllr P. Allen, Cllr D. Bain, Cllr M. Blake,

                Cllr C. Dryden, Cllr J. Godwin, Cllr M. Johns, Cllr C. Lofts, Cllr D. Yates

1.    Apologies for Absence

Cllr J. Hart, Cllr D. Linney, Cllr J. Lynch

2.    Declarations of Interest

None.

3.    Open to the Public

No members of the public were present.

4.    Play Equipment on the Recreation Ground

       Update from Cllr C. Dryden

Cllr Dryden confirmed the contractors began the installation of the new play equipment on the Recreation Ground last Monday. Due to poor weather conditions the wet pour surface was delayed until today. The fencing will be removed tomorrow when the equipment can be used. Following some negotiations on the ground works the total price was brought down to £13,500, leaving a balance of approximately £11,000 in the budget for new equipment on Belle Baulk.

Cllr Dryden suggested the forming of a community group to access additional funding to enhance both play areas on Belle Baulk and perhaps provide a teenage facility away from the estate. Nick King of Neighbourhood Watch / SNVB has offered his assistance to set up the community group. The committee agreed that, in the first instance, residents of Belle Baulk must be consulted to establish whether they would support enhanced play facilities. Cllr Johns offered to deliver a consultation letter to each household on Belle Baulk. Cllr Dryden should receive a reply from the application to South Northants Homes for play equipment funding this week and will report back accordingly.

5.    Sure-Start Children's Centre

       Update on the Children's Centre at the Community Centre

The Clerk showed members the plan of the proposed compound for the period of works at the Community Centre. She queried the necessity for the large compound which takes up half of the car park to the front of the centre and prohibits vehicular access on the Vision side. The Clerk is due to meet on site with James Ellis of Lambert Smith Hampton to suggest a smaller compound on the side of the building provided access to the A5 Rangers Club is maintained.

Michael Robinson of N.C.C. has informed the Clerk that planning permission will be needed for the change of use from D1 to D2 and a flood risk assessment by the Environment Agency has been requested. Once the relevant permissions are in place it is anticipated the building works will take 16 to 18 weeks. The proposals have been agreed by N.C.C. Cabinet and a further update meeting is to be held on 26th October. The Clerk is unable to attend; Cllr Wright agreed to check her availability. Michael will be holding an open meeting with residents and user groups to answer any questions relating to the project. Letters will be sent to all user groups once a date has been fixed.

6.    Towcester Youth & Community Centre

a)    Maintenance Works

The Clerk has received a quotation of £1568.00 to repair to the flat roof above the Toy Library store cupboard.

This area at the rear of the Community Centre will not be affected by the Sure-Start works. There are not sufficient funds in the Community Centre account to carry out these necessary repairs. The committee agreed for the works to be carried out using TC funds; to be repaid at a later date.

b)    Financial Update

The balance of the Community Centre account stands at £1924.00 at 19th October.

7.    Health & Safety Inspections

The Clerk detailed repairs carried out on the TC play equipment, seats and litter bins. Works included:-

The supply and installation of a new pole for the birds nest swing on the Recreation Ground

The supply and installation of new Hag's swings on the Recreation Ground

The supply and installation of a new sear on the Wrexham unit

Repair of the chains on the adventure playground at Belle Baulk

The application of anti-slip paint to the bridge at Belle Baulk; the Clerk has notified the TC insurers accordingly.

Repair of wet pour safety surface on the Shires play area

The Clerk informed the committee that the annual ROSPA inspection will take place at the end of November.

8.    Tree Surgery

The Clerk referred to the quotation of £600.00 for the coppicing of 3 willow trees at Hazel Crescent. Approximately £3,000.00 of the total budget of £5,250.00 for trees surgery this financial year has been allocated. The Clerk anticipates the budget will be exceeded.

9.    John Lawson's Entertainments

Correspondence from John Lawson's Entertainments requests the use of the Recreation Ground during its 2010 Circus tour. The committee granted permission for the circus to use the Recreation Ground provided it does conflict with the TJFC schedule.

10.    Mowing Contract

The Clerk confirmed that the current mowing contract is coming to the end of its 3rd year and will need to go out to tender. The value of the contract for this year is £31,000. Cartwright Landscapes have confirmed there will be no increase for the 2010/11 financial year which enables the Clerk to use this figure for budgeting purposes. The committee needs to decide if it wishes to enter into a contract for a further 3 years.

Proposal

Cllr Allen proposed the meeting move into Closed Session;

seconded by Cllr Godwin, all in favour.