RECREATION / LEISURE COMMITTEE MEETING

MONDAY 24TH MAY 2010

Present:-            Cllr M. Johns (Chair), Cllr M. Blake, Cllr C. Dryden, Cllr J. Godwin, Cllr D. Linney,

                          Cllr C. Lofts, Cllr J. Lynch, Cllr C. Stanger, Cllr H. Wright, Cllr D. Yates

1.           Apologies for Absence

Cllr P. Allen, Cllr J. Hart

2.           Declarations of Interest

None.

3a.          Election of Chair

Proposal

Cllr Dryden proposed Cllr Yates be elected Chair of the Recreation/Leisure Committee for the ensuing year; seconded by Cllr Lynch; all in favour.

Cllr Yates took the Chair for the meeting.

3b.         Election of Vice-Chair

Proposal

Cllr Lynch proposed that Cllr Dryden be elected Vice-Chair of the Recreation/Leisure Committee for the ensuing year; seconded by Cllr Johns; all in favour.

4.           Open to the Public

No members of the public were present.

5.           Nicholas Hawksmoor Pocket Park

a)           Constitution of the Pocket Park Committee

The Clerk confirmed she had emailed the Secretary of the Pocket Park Committee requesting an up to date copy of the constitution.  She has yet to receive a copy and will follow this up.  The current constitution should include 2 representatives of the TC.  It was agreed that the clarification should be sought on the position of all members that make up the committee.  Cllr Yates has decided to step down as TC representative. 

Proposal

Cllr Lynch proposed that Cllr Lofts be nominated as TC representative on the Pocket Park Committee;

seconded by Cllr Stanger; all in favour.

b)           Agreement between the Town Council and the Pocket Park Committee

Cllr Lynch has spoken with the Northamptonshire Pocket Parks Co-ordinator, Rose Little, with respect to forming an agreement between the TC and Pocket Park Committee concerning use of the land.  Rose agreed to forward a copy of a model agreement this week, which the TC can adapt for its own use.  Cllr Lynch invited suggestions as to what points should be included in the agreement.  Cllr Lofts confirmed the Head Teacher of Nicholas Hawksmoor School has objected to Towcester Wildlife Group’s application to the WNDC for funding to improve the Pocket Park considering the proposals are not extensive enough.  The application must be submitted by Friday 28th May and the Wildlife Group has requested a letter of support from the TC.  Cllr Lynch stressed the importance of supporting the application or the opportunity will be lost.  Cllr Blake felt the TC should support the bid; it does not commit the Wildlife Group to take up the funds.  The Clerk advised the situation is not ideal, the RL committee has not seen the proposals of the Wildlife Group or those of Jonathon Kingsley-Smith who is making a separate application for funding.  Cllr Lofts agreed to email the proposals of the Wildlife Group to the Clerk to be forwarded to committee members.

Proposal

Cllr Johns proposed that, on the information received from Cllr Lofts, the TC do its best to support the bid by the Towcester Wildlife Group on the basis that if successful it could form part of a larger scheme of works; seconded by Cllr Blake; all in favour.

Cllr Yates pointed out the many issues still to be resolved between the TC and the Pocket Park Committee.  This includes whether the committee holds charity status as this will make the constitution more difficult to change.  There was a conflict of opinion with respect to this issue; the Clerk will seek clarification.

6.           Projects for 2010/11 Financial Year

a)           New Play Equipment

A copy of the flyer drawn up by Cllr Dryden and Nick King of Neighbourhood Watch (photographs by Cllr Allen) was distributed to committee members.  It invites residents of Belle Baulk to make suggestions for new equipment on the Estate.  There is approximately £25,000 in the budget for this item.  Responses will be direct to Cllr Dryden.

b)           Paths on the Recreation Ground

The budget for new paths on the Recreation Ground was formed over 2 financial years and the funds are now in place.  The Clerk will arrange another site visit with the contractor, F. J. Morris, to decide whether the works should be carried out in stages or not and the best time to commence, avoiding the school summer holidays.

Cllr Dryden requested that concrete slabs be put in front of the seats on Sandyhome Road play area as these areas get very muddy.

Cllr Yates asked for a litter bin to be erected at the entrance to the rear of Nicholas Hawksmoor School on the grassed triangle.

7.           Health & Safety Inspections

The Clerk had no problems to report under the weekly Health & Safety Inspections.  She confirmed that the vandalised panel on the Recreation Ground equipment has been replaced by the contractor.

8.           Summer Window Box Scheme

The Clerk confirmed she has approached Becky Pavey of South Northants Homes with respect to sponsoring the flower baskets on the bridge in Watling Street and is waiting for her reply.  She anticipates the total cost will be less than £500.00. 

Proposal

Cllr Lynch proposed that, should the TC not be successful in gaining sponsorship for the baskets, it will arrange to have them planted from its own budget.

seconded by Cllr Godwin; all in favour.

The Clerk has today been informed by the Contract Services Department of SNC that it will be unable to assist with putting up/taking down the window boxes this year.  The introduction of new Health & Safety procedures mean a full risk assessment is needed for this activity which the department cannot fulfil.  The Clerk has spoken with Ravensthorpe Construction (who put up the Christmas trees) and is waiting to find out whether they can carry out the works.  She warned that the cost to carry out the works is likely to escalate as it is likely that a cherry picker will be needed.

Proposal

Cllr Lynch proposed that the Clerk be authorised to negotiate with the contractors concerning works to implement the window box scheme; seconded by Cllr Stanger; all in favour.