WADHURST PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE RECREATION GROUND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE HELD IN THE PAVILION, SPARROWS GREEN RECREATION GROUND
ON THURSDAY8 MAY 2008 AT 20:00

 

Present: Cllrs. Doyle (Chairman)and Miss Whatmore, R Miller from Wadhurst Tennis Club and C Curtis from Junior Football Club.
Also in attendance: Caretaker and two members of the public.

1.              To receive apologies for absence
Apologies received from Cllr. Standley and T Anstee.

2.             To approve the minutes of meeting 21.02.08
The minutes of the meeting held 21.02.08 were approved and signed.

3.             To determine matters arising from the previous Minutes for updating and noting
Bob Penny has been appointed caretaker.
Outcome of grant application awaited for improvements to junior football facilities.
Testing of electrical installation at pavilion is required every three years.

4.             Public Forum
Problems with youths causing a disturbance at the recreation ground late evening/night. Police cover for the district is limited at weekends. Police have recommended that both gates should be locked at night.
Report of outside lights being left on overnight at the pavilion. Sensor lights have now been fitted with a switch to cut off at approximately 11pm.
Complaint of parking issues outside the recreation round on a Saturday morning with junior football, tennis and pavilion hirers on site. Junior Football Club (JFC) will try to stagger the time of matches, assist with directing traffic and encourage members to walk to the ground. A local business to be approached to see if their parking facilities can be utilised on a Saturday morning. In future further provision of car parking needs to be considered.
Report that a section of fencing in the external car park needs to be repaired.

5.             Tennis Matters
Some spraying is required for the new planting; Merriments to contact Clerk to ensure documentation and health & safety procedures are in order.

Following comments at the full Parish Council meeting, an amended planning application has been submitted reducing the number of floodlights from 15 to 9.

6.             Junior Football Matters
To consider parking issues associated with junior football events
Dealt with under item 4.

To authorise maintenance work to the football pitches
JFC wishes to apply a grass growth regulator to the pitches to strengthen the grass and also a weedkiller and fertiliser. A copy of the contractor’s licence to spray and insurance details are on file and health & safety procedures are in place to close the site during spraying. Agreed to recommend improvement/maintenance work to the Full Council.

Update on review of Agreement
Nothing to report.

Other football issues
JFC presentation event scheduled for 28.06.
Request for the hedgerow between the main pitch and the Voelcker Land to be opened up by removing brambles etc – Cllr. Doyle to review with JFC.
Most football training will be finished by the end of June. Request for patio area and wall mounted kettle to be installed for the next season.

7.             To consider installation of additional CCTV equipment
Site meeting held with Swift Alarms to consider enhancing CCTV coverage to include Chatroom. It may be possible to locate a powerful camera on the roof of the pavilion or to install a smaller camera on a pole between the play equipment and the tarmac area; further information and costs awaited.

8.             Bookings
To receive bookings report
Regular bookings continue with a few casual bookings.
It was suggested that Uplands Sports Centre may be able to help with booking the Pay & Play tennis facility.

9.             To consider maintenance/operating issues and improvements and authorise expenditure
Recent electrical inspection identified that two additional circuit breakers are required; these will be installed by B&W Electrical Contractors Ltd. Payment to be made under LG(MP)A 1976 s19 and authorised under delegated powers.
Additional signs specifying security arrangements are being considered.
Enquiries continue for restricting phone line for emergency use only.

The meeting closed at 20:50

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