WADHURST PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE RECREATION GROUND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEEHELD IN THE PAVILION, SPARROWS GREEN RECREATION GROUND
ON THURSDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2007 AT 20:00

 

Present: Cllrs. Doyle (Chairman), Standley, Miss Whatmore and Wheeler and R Miller from Wadhurst Tennis Club.
Also in attendance: Clerk and three members of the public.

1.         To receive apologies for absence
Apology received from T Anstee of Junior Football Club.

2.             To approve the minutes of meeting 28.06.07
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved and signed.

3.             To determine matters arising from the previous Minutes for updating and noting
Pay & Play entry cards – additional cards have been supplied for Pay & Play use; three are now missing and will be cancelled.

4.             Public Forum
Residents concerned about anti-social behaviour at recreation ground during the evening and at night. The zip wire is being used in the early hours of the morning; request for this to be chained up at night. The gates are not locked at night and youths drive around the site in a dangerous manner. Council asked to consider installing higher gates in an attempt to stop youths climbing over.
Residents were asked to report all incidents of anti-social behaviour to the Police.
Complaint that external toilets are not always open.

7.             To consider ways to discourage anti-social behaviour at recreation ground and lighting/locking-up issues.
This item was brought forward.
Cllr. Standley attended at 20:25.

Police patrolled the recreation ground on Friday and Saturday nights in August. They do not have the power to remove people from the site as it is not secured at night. Locking of the main gates is currently undertaken by volunteers and regular users; the metal gate is not locked. It was agreed that security arrangements need to be reviewed and the possibility of employing a local person to lock up to be considered.

Graffiti continues to be an issue particularly on the chatroom, play equipment, garage and dug-outs. It was resolved that graffiti will be removed by caretaker as a matter of urgency with the cost of materials authorised under LG(MP)A 1976 s19.

5.             Tennis Matters
To review proposal for additional landscaping
Additional landscaping plans are being finalised and will be presented to Recreation Ground Management Committee members before submission to the full council.

Other tennis issues
Mulch has been delivered and will be spread around new planting by members.
Wadhurst Tennis Club (WTC) Committee to supply letter accepting responsibility for any further damage to the fence due to the screening.
Card entry to club room is now working. Quote received from Astra Security of £504.30 + VAT for replacement card reader. WTC to provide caretaker with duplicate key to club room door.

6.             Junior Football
To consider path to Voelcker Land and associated costs
Junior Football Club (JFC) has requested a path between the pavilion and the Voelcker Land as the area becomes very muddy during the playing season. Enquiries made into providing a plastic matting surface which grass grows through, this would not affect grass cutting and would be capable to withstanding the weight of heavy machinery. Quotes received for supply and installation of material for 62metre length are £1800 for 1.5 metre width and £2500 for 2 metre width. Further quotes to be obtained for supplying material only.
JFC has also requested a small patio area near their tuck shop.
Agreed to apply for a grant to cover the cost of the path, patio area and alteration to the referees room. If the application is not successful, then JFC to be approached for assistance with manual labour and/or costs.

To approve quotation for alteration to referees room
Graham Thorpe has quoted £500 for the building works to alter the referees room. To supply a wall kettle costs £500 + VAT. Work to be included within grant application.

Other football issues
It is recognised that the main pitch will be used this season even though this is outside the terms of the Agreement. A review of the Agreement will be undertaken in February for activities 08/09.

8.             Bookings
To receive bookings report
There have been few bookings during the summer break; regular users are now starting their Autumn term.
Hiring fees to be reviewed at the next meeting.

9.             To consider budget 2008/09 and any major projects
Discussion on budget for 2008/09; agreed to include a contingency of £2500 for future repairs and for this sum to be carried forward as an earmarked reserve.
Possible major projects include developing the tarmac area by marking out for ball sports and installing low level lighting from main car park to pavilion.
In order to consider improvements to the Voelcker Land, it was agreed to set up a working party comprising of representatives from JFC, WTC and two Parish Cllrs.
Approximately £15K will be received for play equipment if the affordable homes development is approved; this will be split between a capital sum and an amount for future maintenance.

9.             To consider maintenance/operating issues and improvements and authorise expenditure
The existing CCTV recorder is not functioning. Swift Alarms has quoted £829 for a 250GB digital recorder and £971 for a 500 GB recorder, with a fee of £65 for annual service and support. The image quality from the previous recorder was poor; this should be improved with a digital machine. Agreed to seek further advice/quotes for comparison.

Resolved to approve the following maintenance items under LG(MP)A 1976 s19:

  1. Meadside Cleaners for carpet cleaning £120
  2. D Taylor for tractor hedge cutting.

The manual hedge cutting by play equipment to be reviewed.

The meeting closed at 21:55. 

Next meeting Thursday 22nd November

 

Press and public are welcome to attend this meeting and an opportunity will be given to ask questions or make statements
A copy of the minutes of this meeting will be displayed on the notice board  and on this website