RECREATION / LEISURE COMMITTEE MEETING

MONDAY 21ST APRIL 2008

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

                Cllr M. Johns, Cllr D. Linney, Cllr C. Lofts, Cllr J. Lynch,

                Cllr C. Stanger, Cllr H. Wright, Cllr D. Yates

1.    Apologies for Absence

None.

2.    Declarations of Interest

None.

3.    Open to the Public

No members of the public were present.

4.    MOWING

       South Northants Council Grass Cutting 2008

The Clerk informed members that the TC has been approached by SNC to carry out mowing on areas left in its ownership following the transfer of its housing stock to South Northants Homes. The Clerk used a map to identify the areas at Park View Road/Marlow Road, SNC Offices to Docklewell Close, Sandyhome Road and SNC Depot. Cartwright Landscapes has forwarded a quote of £3692.00 to perform 17 cuts per year. The Clerk will incorporate an additional 10% to the invoice issued to SNC. Noted.

5.    Health & Safety Inspections

The monthly inspection of the TC play areas, carried out on 21st April, was detailed as follows:-

Belle Baulk Toddler's Play Area

12 slats were missing from the picket fence

Equipment needs repainting

The area was litter free

Belle Baulk Adventure Playground

The chains on the equipment need retensioning. Cllr Dryden agreed to follow-up these repairs and others that were identified from the ROSPA inspection with the contractor.

The area was litter free.

Sandyhome Road

No problems with the play equipment

The grass is coming through well but some molehills have appeared

The area was litter free

Play Area, The Shires

No problems with the play equipment

Some litter and glass on the perimeter of the play area

Recreation Ground

TC sign needs reinstating

Seat in the play area needs replacing

Slide and climbing frame needs repainting

The Clerk reminded members of the committee that the TC was advised by ROSPA to remove the slide no later than December 2008. The committee had agreed it would be taken down at the end of the summer holidays and replaced in the 2009/10 financial year. The committee discussed whether the slide should be repainted

Proposal

Cllr Baker proposed that the slide be repainted; seconded by Cllr Stanger,

4 in favour, 4 against. The Chairman, Cllr Dryden, made a casting vote against repainting the slide.

Proposal

Cllr Godwin proposed that the slide be removed immediately. This proposal was not seconded.

6.    Open Areas 106 Agreement

       David Wilson Development – Alchester Court

The Clerk and Cllr Dryden will be meeting with representatives of SNC and David Wilson Homes on 23 rd April to discuss the Section 106 Agreement for maintenance of the open space fronting Alchester Court . The TC has been asked to adopt the open space and SNC has suggested the commuted sum will be £52,000.

Proposal

Cllr Lynch proposed that the TC agree the adoption of open space fronting Alchester Court under the terms outlined by the Clerk; seconded by Cllr Allen, All in favour.

7.    MOAT LANE TOILETS

a)    Blocked Drains

Last week the Clerk received a complaint from a resident of Moat Lane who had sewage surfacing in his property and garden as a result of a blocked drain. The Clerk attended to find a number of contractors on site from varying organisations, including Anglian Water. The manhole covers were lifted and cameras used to identify the source of the problem. Although there was some blockage in Moat Lane ladies toilet, it was agreed that the problems could not be attributed to this as the resident's property was connected to a different drain. The contractor agreed to contact the Clerk if necessary.

b)    Service Contract – Handwash Units

Correspondence from confirms the cost for the annual service contract relating to the two handwash units as £439.00. Noted.

c)    Non-Domestic Rates

The Non Domestic Rates payable for Moat Lane toilets is £1382.00

8.    Vehicular Access to Land at the Rear of 83 Brackley Road, Towcester

Cllr Dryden referred to the ongoing issue of vehicular access to the rear of 83 Brackley Road . The latest correspondence from NCC confirms it accepts 83 Brackley Road enjoys the right of vehicle access over the pathway between 81 and 83 Brackley Road . As such, it has agreed to remove the safety barriers that were introduced as part of its Safer Routes to School programme. It was agreed that, once these works have been carried out by NCC, the TC will remove its dog waste bin from this location. It was agreed the TC concerns over safety will also be raised.

9.    Tree Surgery

The Clerk confirmed that expenditure on tree surgery works in the 2007/08 financial year came to £3778.00, an overspend of £278.00 on the budget figure. The tree surgeon has forwarded a quotation for the removal of 2 silver birch trees at the end of Keats Drive . Cllr Allen queried why the trees could not be cut back. The tree surgeon indicated that the trees would grow back rapidly.

Proposal

Cllr Lynch proposed the TC instruct the tree surgeon to remove the 2 silver birch trees at the end of Keats Drive, seconded by Cllr Godwin, 6 in favour, 3 against.

10.    Maple Close / Kensington Close Ditch

Adverse weather conditions in the past few week resulted in the Maple Close / Kensington Close ditch overflowing. The water covered the footpath and was lapping at the front steps of a property in Kensington Close. The Clerk demonstrated the location of the stream and the point where it disappears into an underground pipe. The Clerk met with SNC on site who confirmed the underground pipe was too small and should be replaced by Anglian Water. Anglian Water was called to the site but would not accept responsibility for the problem. This issue is being pursued by SNC. The Clerk called out D. J .Hutchings who resolved the problem by sending in divers to clear the ditch of bricks and various building materials. Cllr Allen suggested the TC replace its section of pipe with a 400mm width as this would prove helpful. The Clerk will obtain quotations for the works.

11.    Old Tiffield Road (Loughrans)

         Adoption of Footpath

The TC has already agreed to adopt the footpath installed by Loughrans as a condition of its planning consent. The solicitor has now forwarded details of its formal transfer. Cllr Lofts pointed out the footpath is incomplete and should be extended by 2m to meet with the road. It was agreed the Clerk will try and establish ownership of this area in order that permission can be gained to complete the footpath.

Proposal

Cllr Lynch proposed the TC accept the adoption of the footpath at Loughrans; seconded by Cllr Linney, All in favour.

Cllr Johns proposed that the meeting move into Closed Session.