|
RECREATION / LEISURE COMMITTEE MEETING
MONDAY 16TH NOVEMBER 2009
Present: Cllr H. Wright (Chair), Cllr P. Allen, Cllr D. Bain, Cllr M. Blake,
Cllr J. Godwin, Cllr M. Johns, Cllr D. Linney, Cllr C. Lofts, Cllr J. Lynch,
Cllr D. Yates
1. Apologies for Absence
Cllr C. Dryden, Cllr J. Hart
2. Declarations of Interest
None.
3. Open to the Public
No members of the public were present.
4. Towcester Youth & Community Centre
a) Update on the proposals for a Sure-Start Children’s Centre
The Clerk confirmed that Michael Robinson, Area Co-ordinator, NCC, will be at the Community Centre on 24th November and the Town Hall on 25th from 3.30 to 4.30pm to answer questions on the Sure-Start project. A letter of notification has been sent to all hirers of the Community Centre, local nursery schools/pre-schools and the health centre. Planning permission for change of use is awaited and written confirmation has been received from the Environment Agency that a full flood risk assessment will not be required. Works are likely to commence in January 2010 for completion in June 2010. The Clerk has received a revised plan of the proposed compound with only one slight amendment allowing vehicular access alongside the Vision entrance. The committee agreed that the revised plan of the compound area is not acceptable; the Clerk has arranged a meeting with representatives of Lambert Smith Hampton / NCC to discuss this further. Permission has been requested to remove 3 large posts that currently restrict the use of the foyer area; the committee gave its permission for these works to be included in the schedule.
b) Heating at the Community Centre
The Clerk confirmed that the boiler at the Community Centre is irreparable. The Clerk has spoken with Michael Robinson about the new heating system being installed by Sure-Start ahead of the schedule of works. Lambert Smith Hampton has agreed that this would be possible provided that there is a legally binding agreement in place stipulating that the TC will reimburse the costs of the works should the Sure-Start project not proceed.
Proposal
Cllr Lynch proposed that the committee permit the Clerk to progress negotiations with Sure-Start for the installation of the new heating system as early as possible; the TC will commit to a legally binding agreement to reimburse the cost of the works should the
Sure-Start Project not proceed for any reason;
seconded by Cllr Godwin; all in favour.
c) Financial Update
The balance of the Community Centre account stands at £1959.00. There are some accounts to settle from this and £1,000 is still owing to the TC.
The Clerk confirmed that Tools for Self Reliance have found new premises at the A5 Rangers headquarters.
5. Environment Agency
Outfall structure downstream of Towcester Sluice
A copy of correspondence from Alex Rothwell of the Environment Agency was forwarded
to all committee members prior to the meeting. The Clerk explained the TC responsibility as riparian owner of the land; the collapse of the outfall structure was not noted prior the land being transferred to the TC and this is very unfortunate. Committee members differed in their views on how to resolve this matter and a lengthy debate took place. Cllr Allen considered the outfall structure must have been built by the Environment Agency or its predecessor, the Rivers Authority, their statement that they have no record of it is not sufficient grounds for the TC to take responsibility for its repair. He suggested the TC allow the Environment Agency to take enforcement action. The outfall structure is a major piece of engineering work that would have required the river to be dammed; he queried how this could be done without the E. A. knowledge. It was agreed that the Clerk will arrange a meeting between the TC and E. A. Cllr Lofts suggested that independent legal advice be sought beforehand.
Proposal
Cllr Lofts proposed that the Clerk arrange a meeting with the Environment Agency to discuss the collapsed outfall structure downstream of Towcester Sluice. The Clerk, Cllr Allen, Cllr Lofts and Cllr Lynch will attend;
seconded by Cllr Lynch; all in favour.
6. Nicholas Hawksmoor Pocket Park
Correspondence regarding the refurbishment of the Pocket Park
A copy of correspondence from Mr Jonathon Kingsleigh-Smith was forwarded to all committee members prior to the meeting. It refers to the neglected state of the Pocket Park and proposes obtaining grant funding to the value of £50,000+ to undertake a complete overhaul Richard Edwards, Head Teacher at Nicholas Hawksmoor, has contacted the Clerk to confirm his receipt of the correspondence.
Proposal
Cllr Johns proposed that the TC await costings on the project before discussing it in depth;
seconded by Cllr Linney; all in favour.
7. Health & Safety Inspections
All minor works identified from the inspections are in hand.
The Clerk referred to the installation of the play equipment on the Recreation Ground which was vandalised in its first week. The side panel was partially kicked out and had to be removed to prevent injury. A new side panel has been delivered and will be fitted this week. The new equipment had not been registered on the TC insurance policy; however the cost of the replacement part, £250.00, is equal to the excess.
8. South Northants Homes
Grant for new equipment and request from South Northants Homes for a plaque
Some time ago Cllr Dryden submitted an application to South Northants Homes for a grant of £1250.00 towards the new piece of play equipment on the Recreation Ground. A representative of South Northants Homes contacted the Clerk last week to advise the grant had been approved. By way of an acknowledgement, the Clerk offered an article in the forthcoming edition of the Town Crier and this was agreed. SNH have now requested a plaque on the equipment. The committee considered the request and the many different bodies that have contributed to play equipment in the past. The committee asked the Clerk to speak with the Manager of SNH to see if an alternative arrangement can be made to acknowledge its contribution.
9. Draft Budget 2010 / 11
A copy of the draft budget was forwarded to all committee members prior to the meeting.
The Clerk itemised the budget as follows:-
Income
NCC Mowing / Footpath grant - £2145.00 budgeted
National Savings Interest Account - £1153.00 budgeted
The Clerk confirmed that £4800.00 will be taken from the investment account for maintenance of Belle Baulk and Alchester Court. These areas were taken over by the TC part way through the year and so not included in the budget.
Expenditure
Wages – 1% increase budgeted on all wages.
Mowing / Footpath maintenance - £35993.00 budgeted. £4,800.00 of this sum will be taken from the Section 106 funds for Alchester Court / Belle Baulk. The Clerk confirmed the mowing contract is due to go out to tender for next year. The current contractor, Cartwright Landscapes, has advised there would be no increase for the 2010 / 11 financial year.
Window Box / Christmas Tree Schemes - £10582.00 budgeted
Equipment Maintenance / Repairs - £4,200.00 budgeted
New equipment - £20000.00 budgeted
ROSPA inspection – 3% increase budgeted to £720.00
Health & Safety Inspections - £5200.00 budgeted
Painting – no budget set for painting of equipment as these works have recently been completed
Graffiti removal - £500.00 budgeted
Seats – supply and repair - £500.00 budgeted
Litter bins - £685.00 budgeted
Tree surgery – budget increased by £250.00 to £5500.00
Nicholas Hawksmoor Pocket Park - £1,000 carried forward from 2009/2010
Dog Bins Emptying - £10771.00 budgeted
Repairs - £500.00 budgeted
New bins - £1000.00 budgeted
Cleaning - £1271 budgeted
Towcester Youth & Community Centre - £1000.00
Paths – 2nd tranch of £5500.00 budgeted to replace the paths around Recreation Ground
Total Income £9639.00 / Total Expenditure £124892.00 / Precept £115253.00
Proposal
Cllr Lynch proposed that the precept of £115,253 for the Recreation / Leisure Account be recommended to the Resources / Planning Committee; seconded by Cllr Godwin; all in favour.
|