RECREATION / LEISURE COMMITTEE MEETING

MONDAY 21ST JUNE 2010

Present:-            Cllr D. Yates (Chair), Cllr P. Allen, Cllr M. Blake, Cllr C. Dryden, Cllr J. Godwin, Cllr J. Hart,

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

1.           Apologies for Absence

Cllr H. Wright

2.           Declarations of Interest

None.

3.           Open to the Public

No members of the public were present.

4.           Nicholas Hawksmoor Pocket Park

              An update on the present use of the Park and future plans for the Pocket Park

              Richard Edwards, Head Teacher of Nicholas Hawksmoor Primary School

              Nicky Wilson, Nicholas Hawksmoor Pocket Park Association

              Jonathon Kingsleigh-Smith

Cllr Yates welcomed Richard Edwards and Nicky Wilson from Nicholas Hawksmoor Primary School and Jonathon Kingsleigh-Smith to the meeting.

Nicky gave a presentation detailing the activities currently being undertaken in the Pocket Park by children at the school.  She said that pupils were very enthusiastic about using the Pocket Park for their lessons; the most regular users being the Forest School (nursery pupils aged 3-4) and reception classes.  The Pocket Park also provides an important facility for older pupils of the school, its Nature Club and Allotment Club, teaching them to understand and respect nature and the environment.

Richard gave a brief history of the Pocket Park from its creation in 1992.  He said the school works extremely hard to maintain the facility, which is regularly used by Towcester Primary School, Towcester Beavers and the Riverside Centre as well as being open to the public.  The Pocket Park now needs to be revamped and he is conscious of that.  He said raising money for the Pocket Park had always proved difficult although a small amount of sponsorship had been received over the years; in the main it is subsidised by the school.  He referred to vandalism of the pond; saying the liner has been broken in many places allowing the water to drain out.  Richard feels that it is time to move forward with the Pocket Park; it is good the TC is taking an interest so together something really good can be achieved for the town.  Several months ago, Jonathon Kingsleigh-Smith volunteered to investigate sources of funding to help re-line the pond and make other improvements including safer access, replanting and drainage works.

The Clerk had distributed a copy of the schedule of works to all committee members prior to the meeting with accompanying estimates of:-

£48,645.00

£48,589.00

£49,041.00

Jonathon advised members of the committee that he is unable to proceed with any funding applications until a formal agreement is reached between the TC and Nicholas Hawksmoor Pocket Park Association concerning use of the land.  He said that grants bodies are likely to be impacted by the current economic climate and it may be necessary to stage the works but he is still optimistic that funding can be achieved.

Cllr Yates invited questions from members of the committee.

Cllr Blake asked why removal of the island has been proposed as this provides a safe haven for wildlife and why a pedestrian bridge over the pond is planned.  Nicola said the island was attracting anti-social behaviour and it was best to leave out this feature.  The bridge is more like a boardwalk which will allow visitors better access to the pond for activities; the safety aspect of the proposals will be thoroughly checked with Rose Little, Pocket Parks Officer for Northamptonshire.

Cllr Stanger asked whether the ongoing maintenance programme applied to all three estimates on the shortlist.  Jonathon confirmed this is the case.  The Clerk referred to the documentation which states that ongoing maintenance will be carried out over 30 visits per year at a cost of £40 per visit.

Cllr Allen asked whether the plans could be scaled down should full funding not be achieved.  Richard confirmed that the works would be prioritised.  Cllr Allen queried the ongoing maintenance programme which forms part of the estimates; he felt the idea is that a Pocket Park should maintain itself.  Richard advised there would be some requirement for ‘gardening’ and hard landscaping maintenance; he would still like to encourage working parties on the project.

Cllr John raised a query over the three estimates being so close in terms of cost.  Jonathon said the contractors were approached independently with the same brief.  Cllr Johns stressed the importance of having the Association’s charitable status up to date at the time of submitting the funding application.

Cllr Lofts advised that the TC must be made aware of any conditions applied by the funding body. 

The Clerk confirmed the next item on the agenda will be looking at the agreement between the TC and Nicholas Hawksmoor Pocket Park Association for use of the land.  She advised Jonathon that the TC would forward the agreement to the association for consideration and he would be issued with a copy as soon as possible.

5.           Nicholas Hawksmoor Pocket Park

              Draft Management Agreement for the Nicholas Hawksmoor Pocket Park Association

A copy of the Draft Management Agreement provided by Pocket Parks Officer, Rose Little, was forwarded to all committee members prior to the meeting.  The Clerk asked for any amendments to be made one page at a time.

Page 1

The agreed with the Clerk the agreement could be made between the TC and NHPPA without the involvement of a solicitor.  The NHPAA charity number will be added to the front page.

Page 2

Pt 2.1 – Add ‘the Association will include two representatives of the Town Council on the constitution’

Pt 2.3 – Add ‘To allow the Council access at all times to the Land to fulfil its obligations under this agreement’

Page 4

Pt 6.2 – spelling correction should read ‘the Association’

Proposal

Cllr Johns proposed that the agreement be amended as specified and agreed by the committee for submission to the Nicholas Hawksmoor Pocket Park Association;

seconded by Cllr Lofts; 9 in favour; 1 abstention

6.           Belle Baulk

              Report back from Cllr C. Dryden on the Belle Baulk consultation for new play equipment

Cllr Dryden confirmed that the 170+ flyers hand-delivered to residents on the Belle Baulk Estate had yielded just 8 responses.  Cllr Dryden’s summary on the responses received was forwarded to all committee members prior to the meeting.  Cllr Lynch suggested the TC write to the person who complained about potholes outlining the TC responsibilities.  Cllr Dryden was keen to maintain involvement from the community as this would be helpful in achieving additional funding; however, it was agreed that the interest shown was not sufficient.  The Clerk confirmed the application for additional housing on the Belle Baulk Estate had been submitted to the WNDC.  This will present an opportunity to address some of the larger issues regarding play equipment via the section 106 arrangements.  In the meantime, there are sufficient funds within the budget to replenish the equipment in the toddler playground.