RECREATION / LEISURE COMMITTEE MEETING

MONDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER 2009

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

1.    Apologies for Absence

Cllr D. Bain, Cllr H. Wright

2.    Declarations of Interest

None.

3.    Open to the Public

No members of the public were present.

4.    Environment Agency

a)    Desilting of Silverstone Brook

The Clerk, Cllr Lofts and Cllr Yates attended a site meeting last week with Gary Hennings of the Environment Agency to discuss the disposal of silt from works to Silverstone Brook commencing mid-October. A number of locations were identified where it was agreed the silt could be safely deposited and the E. A. have confirmed these locations in writing. The E. A. will remove all items of debris and fly-tipping during the course of the works. The E. A. expressed interest in planting additional trees on the Silverstone Brook and locations for these were noted. It was presumed that the works would be carried out by the E. A., however, subsequent correspondence has requested the TC purchase 10 saplings and arrange for these to be planted; they will then reimburse the TC for the cost. The committee agreed that less established trees would be at risk from vandalism and will therefore decline the E. A. offer.

b)    Consultation on amendments to the Statutory Main River Map

Correspondence confirms amendments to the Statutory Main River Map to accurately reflect the position as it exists on the ground due to changes over the years which have not been recorded. Cllr Yates circulated the revised map and the committee raised no objections to the amendments.

c)    Outfall Structure downstream of Towcester Sluice

The Clerk referred to the ongoing issue of the collapsed outfall structure downstream of Towcester Sluice and correspondence between the TC and E. A. In reply to enquiries raised by the TC in correspondence dated 25th July, Alex Rothwell of the E. A. has confirmed that:-

•  The last recorded inspection of the outfall structure was in February 2005 and it was in good condition. As it is classed as a ‘non-flood defence structure' it is not inspected regularly, however, Towcester Sluice is inspected annually and any problems with the outfall would have been noticed.

•  The structure does not have Land Drainage Consent so the E. A. has no knowledge of who built it. Enquiries have been made with SNC but no response has been received.

•  At this time, the E. A. can still access Towcester Sluice but future access may not be safe because of erosion to the bank.

•  If the E. A. were to budget for the repair works it would allow approximately £40,000 as works to the bank will also be necessary.

The Clerk has replied and is waiting for a further response from the agency.

5.    Bandstand

Cllr Hart referred to the Masterplan for Towcester in which a Bandstand on the Recreation Ground was suggested. Although it was agreed that this would not be a suitable location, Cllr Hart is keen to investigate the potential for a Bandstand elsewhere in the town. Cllr Hart has seen how the new Bandstand in Godalming operates and its Project Manager has forwarded details to the Towcester Partnership. The Bandstand in Godalming is 8m and holds 40 band members. Various businesses in the town undertake to arrange musical entertainment every Sunday from May to September free of charge and this has proved very popular. The cost of the 8m Bandstand is £150,000. Cllr Hart is seeking an agreement in principle so that further costings can be obtained and hopefully incorporated into S.N.C. proposals for Moat Lane . A potential site adjacent to the bridge on the Watermeadows was identified. The committee agreed for further costings to be obtained and directed to S.N.C. via the Towcester Partnership.

The committee agreed for items on the agenda to be taken out of sequence as Cllr Lynch had a prior engagement to attend.

9.    Removal of the Public Payphone, Caldecote

Cllr Lynch confirmed the TC has been asked to support the retention of the telephone box in Caldecote. Every resident of Caldecote has signed a petition for the telephone box to be maintained in the village as an iconic structure. The telephone box can be de-commissioned and purchased by the TC from British Telecom for £1. There is an issue to be resolved with N.C.C. as, being non-operational; it may be classed as an obstruction of the highway.

Proposal

Cllr Lynch proposed that the TC move forward and make enquiries with S.N.C. and N.C.C. with a view to purchasing the telephone box in Caldecote; seconded by Cllr Johns, all in favour.

8.    Moat Lane Toilets

a)    Future plans for the toilets

Cllr Lynch referred to the plans for Moat Lane , particularly the development of Bakers Lane with the addition of shops and public toilets. If there is a civic building it will include toilets and those in Bakers Lane will become redundant. Originally these were to remain in situ as any connected to the civic building would not be accessible at all times.

b)    Maintenance works to the Gent 's toilets

The Clerk has received a quotation for £2,500 to carry out repairs to the Gent 's toilets, which are currently closed. There is no budget for these works and the committee will need to make a request to the Resources/Planning Committee to take these funds from contingency.

Proposal

Cllr Linney proposed that the committee requests from the Resources/Planning Committee that funds be taken from contingency for repair of the Gent 's toilets in Moat Lane .

seconded by Cllr Lynch, 8 in favour, 2 abstentions.

6.    Vision

       Correspondence regarding alarm activation at Vision

The Clerk referred to ongoing problems with the alarm being activated at Vision and the call-out fees resulting from this. The alarm system is the responsibility of Vision as it was installed to protect its contents.

Vision has approached the TC for payment of some of the call-out fees relating to occasions where it was activated by TC contractors entering the Community Centre. The problems with the alarm have now been resolved and the Clerk suggested as a good will gesture that the TC meets a proportion of the call-out fees - £214.50.

Proposal

Cllr Lynch proposed that the TC meets a proportion of the call-out fees from the activation of the Vision alarm system amounting to £214.50; seconded by Cllr Godwin, all in favour

Community Centre

a)    Financial Update

The Clerk confirmed that the balance of the Community Centre account as of 21/9/09 is £1687.21. £1000.00 is owed to the TC from this account but it was agreed not to transfer the funds at this time.

b)    Sure-Start Project

The Clerk is due to meet with representatives from Sure-Start next week regarding tender plans and the schedule of works.

7.    Removal of the Barrier on Brackley Road

a)    Correspondence from N.C.C. / S.N.C.

Cllr Yates confirmed that the safety barriers on Brackley Road have been removed by N.C.C. Although they were erected by the developer as a planning condition; this does not override the private rights of access that existed prior. The solicitor from S.N.C. has notified nearby residents of the position; advising them to contact David Grindley of N.C.C. should any road safety issues arise.

b)    Correspondence from the occupiers of 75 Brackley Road

Correspondence from the occupiers of 75 Brackley Road requests the TC confirm when the dog waste bin will be repositioned. Following the removal of safety barriers it is only the waste bin that prevents them from enjoying full right of access to their property. The Clerk confirmed that any damage to the grass verges resulting from the movement of traffic must be made good.

Proposal

Cllr Lynch proposed that the Clerk meets with the contractor to agree a suitable position to relocate the dog waste bin; seconded by Cllr Linney, all in favour.

10.    Dog Waste Bins

         Correspondence regarding the collection of dog and litter waste

The Clerk referred to correspondence from its contractor, A. H. Contracts, offering the TC a fixed term contract for the collection and disposal of dog and litter waste to 31st March 2012; guaranteeing the current price with the exemption of changes to the rate of VAT.

Proposal

Cllr Allen proposed that the TC accepts the fixed term contract with A. H. Contracts to 31st March 2012 ; seconded by Cllr Johns, all in favour.

11.    Belle Baulk Bridge

        Anti-slip surface

The Clerk confirmed that works to paint the bridge at Belle-Baulk with anti-slip surface, as required by the TC insurer, have been completed. The works did not form part of the 2009/10 budget and the cost of approximately £1500 will need to be funded from contingency.

Cllr Lynch left the meeting.

12.    Willis Dawson – Dissolved

Correspondence from the TC solicitor encloses a plan of H.M. Land Registry for the area of land lying to the South of Kensington Close. It requests confirmation from the TC of the area it wishes to adopt. The committee agreed the shaded areas, including 1 small verge currently maintained by the TC plus a small path, are to be adopted. The areas on the map coloured yellow are highway.

Proposal

Cllr Allen proposed that the TC confirms the areas it wishes to adopt as agreed by the committee; seconded by Cllr Dryden, all in favour.

13.    Play Equipment

         New play equipment for the Recreation Ground

Cllr Dryden displayed a number of proposed pieces of play equipment to replace the toddler climbing frame/slide on the Recreation Ground and circulated details of the costings. The Clerk confirmed the TC contractor would be asked to quote on the removal / installation to reduce the overall cost. The committee discussed the various items of equipments and the consensus favoured the Bungalow by Monster; total cost £16,899. It was agreed that further consultations with user groups would not be necessary as an article in the Town Crier on this issue had received little response. Cllr Dryden is investigating possible external funding sources and will report back on this.

14.    Budget 2010 / 11

The Clerk asked committee members to forward and items for inclusion in the draft budget for 2010 / 11 so that quotations can be obtained before the next meeting.

Cllr Lofts suggested a budget be created for youth provision. There are various organisations within the town that arrange activities for youth groups and possibly these could be extended with additional funding.

Cllr Dryden requested a budget be set to install paving to the front of benches at Sandyhome Road play area.