RECREATION / LEISURE COMMITTEE MEETING

MONDAY, 20TH JULY 2009

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

                 Cllr C. Dryden, Cllr J. Godwin, Cllr J. Hart, Cllr M. Johns, Cllr J. Lynch

1.    Apologies for Absence

Cllr D. Linney, Cllr C. Lofts, Cllr D. Yates

2.    Declarations of Interest

None.

3.    Open to the Public

No members of the public were present.

4.    Towcester Youth & Community Centre

a)    Report back from the meeting with N. C. C. Sure-Start Project

The Clerk and Chair, Cllr Wright, had met with representatives of N. C. C. and Lambert Smith Hampton on 17th July to agree the Terms and Conditions for Sure-Start to lease the Community Centre in 2010. The Clerk circulated a list of points raised at the meeting and the committee discussed in detail all the issues that were raised. It was agreed to accept the revised plan 3829/01 incorporating the following points:-

1.   A new solid entrance door to be installed on the side entrance to the building.

2.   A new boiler to be installed to upgrade the present central heating system.

Usage

Sure-Start us to have use of the centre from 9.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday with a maximum usage of 6 hrs on the weekend. The following existing hirers are to be accommodated within the weekday hours:-

The National Childbirth Trust

Millhouse Childminding Group

Towcester Toy Library

Access to the building whilst work is in progress

It was agreed, as far as practicable, to accommodate existing hirers during the refurbishment works. The new side entrance can be used instead of the main entrance during this period.

Fees

The Landlord Agent fees not to exceed £250.00

Management Committee

The committee agree that a quarterly management meeting will be beneficial to all parties.

b)    Financial Update

The Clerk confirmed a balance of £1,740.49 in the Community Centre account at 30th June. The sum of £1,000.00 owed to the TC will be repaid at a later date.

5.    Replacement Play Equipment for the Recreation Ground

       Report back from Cllr C. Dryden

Cllr Dryden confirmed she has been looking at equipment to replace the toddler climbing frame on the Recreation Ground; recommended for removal in the last ROSPA report and the toddler slide on Belle Baulk. She has approached 3 companies Kompan, Monster and Playdale and is waiting for specific proposals at meetings to be held on 22nd July and 31st July. Cllr Dryden circulated brochures identifying potential pieces of equipment. Local groups, i.e. the N.C.T. and Tiny Tows will be consulted before bringing back a shortlist to the TC. She is hoping that the new equipment can be installed prior to the next half term holiday at the end of October.

Cllr Dryden referred to previous discussions concerning a rolling programme to replace outdated play equipment over a five year period. To enhance the toddler playground at Belle Baulk one of the contractors recommended extending the wet pour surface to add a toddler swing and roundabout at an approximate cost of £20,000. The equipment at the Adventure playground is sound but may benefit from an additional piece at an approximate cost of £10,000. Cllr Dryden suggested the TC could precept for the works or find alternative funding streams. She has received good advice from Nick King at SNVB on who to approach but would need assistance with this time consuming task.

The Clerk confirmed that the TC could not make a decision on the works until budgets are prepared in September/October 2009. Also, residents on Belle Baulk would need to be consulted due to previous problems in this area with anti-social behaviour.

6.    Environment Agency

       Correspondence regarding Outfall Structure Downstream of Towcester Sluice

Cllr Wright read out the correspondence from the Environment Agency. The committee recently discussed this issue and wrote to the Environment Agency advising them that the TC would not take responsibility for the outfall structure. The Clerk confirmed the TC took over the land at Belle Baulk from SNC in October 2008 and stressed that the TC are legally responsible as riparian owners. SNC were not previously contacted by the E.A. as the problem with the outfall structure only came to light on a recent inspection. The E.A. has stated it cannot establish from its records who built the outfall structure. Cllr Allen did not accept this adding that the structure could not have been built without the permission of the E.A. most likely under its former title of The Rivers Authority. He stressed that the repair would be a significant piece of civil engineering and very costly.

Proposal

Cllr Allen proposed the TC re-iterate its previous reply that the E.A. or its predecessor must have installed the outfall structure and this has collapsed prior to the TC ownership;

seconded by Cllr Lynch; all in favour.

7.    Allianz Insurance

       Correspondence regarding the bridge at Belle Baulk, Towcester

The Clerk referred to correspondence from Allianz Insurance which asks for confirmation of the date works will commence to apply anti-slip surface to the bridge on Belle Baulk. The Clerk advised that several clear days were needed to commence the works which have been scheduled for the last week in August. This bridge will be closed for approximately 2 weeks.

8.    Health & Safety Report

The Clerk referred to the most recent inspection of the play equipment which took place today:-

Recreation Ground

Two swings have been taken down and replacements are on order.

A new seat for the Wrexham Unit is on order with HAGS.

The cradle swing has been removed due to wear on top bar. The contractor has ordered a reinforced top bar due to the high usage of this item of equipment.

No other problems reported.

Belle Baulk Toddler Play Area

The wooden toddler slide is beginning to rot and should be scheduled for replacement.

The pink spring seat is loosening; contractor to monitor.

No other problems reported.

Belle Baulk Adventure Playground

No problems reported with the play equipment.

Shrinkage to the wet pour surface; contractor to monitor.

No other problems reported.

The Shires Play Area

The cargo net is showing signs of wear; contractor to monitor.

The wet pour surface is beginning to degrade; contractor to monitor.

No other problems reported.

Sandyhome Road Play Area

No problems reported.

9.    N. C. C. Volunteer Co-ordinator for Parish Path Wardens and Tree Wardens

Correspondence from N. C. C. requests a TC representative to act as Volunteer

Co-ordinator for Parish Path Wardens and Tree Wardens. Cllr Allen agreed to give consideration to this role.

10.    Nicholas Hawksmoor Pocket Park

The Clerk has received confirmation from the Head Teacher that the school Caretaker will now be absent for just 2 weeks of the school holidays. Cllr Stanger had already agreed to open / close the Pocket Park in the absence of the Caretaker and has been advised accordingly. Cllr Wright confirmed the Pocket Park Committee had put forward a number of requests to the TC to improve the facility:-

•  A sign indicating the water danger – the committee agreed to this request.

•  Restoration of the pond at an estimated cost of £14,000 – the Clerk confirmed that the budget for the Pocket Park is £1,000 for the 2009/10 financial year. Cllr Dryden suggested the TC could contact the SNVB or South Northants Homes for assistance with labour for this project. It was agreed this item would form part of the forthcoming budget discussions.

•  A new notice board detailing trails within the pocket park. The school will establish the cost of this and forward details to the TC in early September.

•  An article in the October issue of the Town Crier giving details of the opening times. The school will prepare and forward the article to the TC by early September.