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Present: Cllrs. Doyle (Chairman), Standley, Miss Whatmore and Wheeler,
R Miller from Wadhurst Tennis Club,
T Anstee and C Curtis from Junior Football Club.
Also in attendance: Clerk, Caretaker and two members of the public.
1. To receive apologies for absence
None.
2. To approve the minutes of meeting 6.09.07
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved and signed.
3. To determine matters arising from the previous
Minutes for updating and noting
Full council has reviewed proposed budget 2008/09 which will be finalised
at the December meeting.
4. Public Forum
Resident thanked football club for the repositioning of the goal posts.
Some residents have met with the Police to discuss anti-social behaviour
issues at the recreation ground; incidents have decreased due to dark
nights.
5. Tennis Matters
To review proposal for additional landscaping
Additional landscaping has been planted.
Perimeter fence for tennis courts has been repaired and extra strong
poles have been installed. There is a section of fence at the back of
the courts which is bowed; no action to be taken at present.
Membership is slightly down on last year; subscription rates are reviewed
annually.
It has been a good season for activities involving local schools and
youths; this will be further promoted next year. There have also been
successful ‘learn to play’ sessions for adults.
Pay & Play needs to be publicised more effectively.
6. Junior Football
Junior Football Club (JFC) is applying for a grant of £8500 for a path
between pavilion and Voelcker Land, a patio area and alterations to
the referees room.
JFC continues to thrive. Parking at the recreation ground is an issue
on Saturday mornings. The club hires a sports hall at Uplands between
October and March; the facility must be paid for even if it is not used.
The pitches at the recreation ground have been adequate so far this season.
Additional pitches will be required for the club within the next few
years.
JFC has applied to become an F.A. Chartered Club; this will open up further
sources of funding.
A first aid training course is planned before Christmas.
Storage at the recreation ground is an issue and there was a discussion
on the possibility of siting a secure container near the existing garage.
JFC advised that planning permission would be required.
To discuss repainting or removal of graffiti covered dug outs
and associated costs
Children use the dugouts for football and cricket practice. Resolved
to keep the dugouts for the present time and for them to be painted to
cover graffiti.
Report from the working party on Voelcker land improvements
Meeting scheduled 27.11.07.
To consider applying grass growth regulator to pitches
Contractor that sprayed pitches has recommended applying a grass growth
regulator to create a high quality, dense turf for improved playing
conditions. The cost would be £1475 + VAT for 5 treatments; a contribution
would be required from JFC and this will be considered when the agreement
is reviewed in February.
It is recognised that limited maintenance work has been undertaken on
the pitches.
7. To consider ways to discourage anti-social behaviour
at recreation ground and allotments
Police and NW have been active in patrolling the recreation ground.
No response received to advertisement for locking up duties at the site;
enquiries being made with a security company.
New CCTV recorder has been installed.
There have been reports of youths congregating in the outside toilet
with issues of litter, turning up the heating, removing notices and intimidating
pavilion users.
To discuss future of derelict land between the recreation ground
and allotments
The derelict land at the allotments has been used for camping and play
by youths. Round Oak Allotment Association to be encouraged to clear
the land.
8. To review report of Wealden Play Workshop
Report from Cllr. Miss Whatmore reviewed on a play workshop held by WDC.
Comment that the tarmac area at the recreation ground is underused –
to be considered at next meeting.
9. Bookings
To receive bookings report
There is a new weekly lunchtime booking for yoga from a local company.
Membership of the Bridge Club is falling and alternative afternoons are
being considered.
Saturday morning Pilates is down to one hour due to reduced numbers.
To review hiring rates for 2008
Resolved to recommend unchanged hiring rates for 2008 as follows:
- Regular users £11.50 ph
- Casual users £13.50 ph
With staff attendance £15 ph
- Tennis Pay & Play - £8 ph
There is an Agreement with Wadhurst Tennis Club for an annual rental
of £9250 and an additional payment on subscription income over £14K.
From 31.03.08 the basic rental will increase by the annual rate of inflation.
Annual rental for the Junior Football Club is set at £500 until 31.7.08.
The Agreement is to be reviewed in February 2008.
To review policy and rates for Saturday morning bookings
Caretaker attends on a Saturday morning to put away tables and chairs
from the Friday Bridge Club session. Discussion on the use of caretaker
time and attendance at weekends.
10. To consider maintenance/operating issues and improvements
and authorise expenditure
Resolved to approve the following maintenance items under LG(MP)A 1976
s19:
- entry cards for P&P use.
- additional £90 for spraying of football pitches.
- Steve Barden for manual hedge cutting - £320.
- Swift Alarms £65 annual CCTV support
The meeting closed at 21:27
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