Minutes of the Amenities Committee held on
Wednesday 25th May 2011 at 7.45 p.m. in the Council Offices, 1a
Brushwood Close, Welham Green
Those Present:
Councillors
Mrs J Boulton
Chairman
C Everard
Vice Chairman
R
Mrs L Saffer
W A Storey
Mrs T Travell
Also present
R L Wheeler
Officer
Ann Morton
Clerk
It was proposed by Councillor Mrs
Travell, seconded by Councillor Horrocks and RESOLVED that Councillor Mrs Boulton be
elected Chairman of the Amenities Committee for the year
2011/2012.
The Chairman proposed a vote of
thanks to Councillor Everard for his sterling work as Chairman over many years
and this was agreed unanimously.
Apologies for absence were received
from Councillor Mrs Dean (another meeting with item on the agenda at her
request). Councillor Hastings had
given his apologies.
There were no declarations of
interest.
It was proposed Councillor Mrs
Travell, seconded by Councillor Horrocks and RESOLVED that Councillor Everard be
elected Vice-Chairman of the Amenities Committee for the year
2011/2012.
The minutes of the Amenities
Committee meeting held on
The DWS proposal and quote to
install an ‘acco’ drainage system was considered fair and reasonable. Following discussion, it was agreed that
the Council want quotes to deal with the existing blockage of the surface water
drainage and if this is not adequate to resolve flooding at Bungalow 2
additional proposals will be considered.
Clerk to contact DWS, Onna, Flowline and possibly Dynarod for quotes to
clear the blocked drain.
The new windows and backdoor
installed by Kindlelight were inspected and considered satisfactory by
Councillor Everard and the balance has been paid. Tiles to improve the appearance of the
recessed lintel were not included in the specification.
Cooker hood has been fitted in
Bungalow 2. The vents in the
bathroom and toilet are still to do but there is apparently a problem which the
electrician is to phone the office to explain. The Clerk reported that a carbon
detector has also been fitted in Bungalow 1. Electrical fault investigation in the
office will be put on the next agenda.
Redecoration – Bungalow 2 to do,
probably in the autumn.
British Gas servicing and inspection
and Landlords Certificate for Bungalows 1 and 2 has been done. There are some minor jobs to be
done.
The Asbestos report had been
distributed to Members. Key actions
from the report are annual re-inspection and contractors need to be given copy
of report. It was agreed to set up
a working party to establish what work now needs to be done. Councillors Mrs Boulton, Everard,
Wheeler and Storey will form the working party and will meet with the Clerk in
the Burns Pavilion at
Councillor Mrs Boulton explained
that one of the reasons the Council want to refurbish is to increase the usage
of the Pavilion, especially in the winter.
Current use is limited by condition to sports related activities. Councillor Mrs Boulton has met on site
with an Environmental Health Officer who suggested that before the Council apply
for a Variation of Condition we should consider how the hall will be managed and
the terms of use. Members agreed to
supply terms of use for various other halls known to them. This matter will be put on the next
agenda with a view to full Council considering an application for the removal of
the planning restriction at the end of June.
The list of recommendations from A1
Fire Protection following their inspection was distributed and discussed. Some matters have been addressed but no
smoking needs to be enforced rather than metal bins and smoke alarms can be
installed in Burns Pavilion with repairs/renovation work. The Clerk will follow
up on outstanding actions.
The groundsmen carried out more
investigation work last week.
Councillor Everard explained that they exposed a further section and
found a further pipe. It is not
clear that the pipework is connected or functioning properly. It was agreed to ask Sentry to come and
meet with Councillors Everard, Storey, Mrs Boulton and the Head
Groundsman.
The Clerk reported on the plots that
are vacant or in poor condition. It
was agreed that vacant plots should first be offered to new tenants living in
the parish. Letter from an allotment holder requesting to put a 4’ x 3’ x 6’
store was considered and it was agreed the Clerk would ask for more details to
ensure it would be in keeping before giving permission. Councillor Wheeler mentioned the success
of an allotment association in Hatfield and it was suggested they could be
invited to the celebration in the autumn to explain the advantages to allotment
holders.
It was agreed to carry out the
judging of the allotments at
‘Best front gardens in the Parish’
was introduced last year and gardens are nominated by Parish Councillors. Councillor Mrs Travell, who carried out
the judging last year, said there were too many gardens to judge and suggested
councillors should nominate one garden each in future. Councillors need to liaise to ensure
there will be nine gardens to judge and they could start by looking for the best
gardens in their own ward.
Councillor Mrs Boulton will be the judge this year and it was agreed that
councillors need to submit their nominations before the deadline of
The locations for the new planters
have been agreed and installation is awaited.
It was agreed to offer the
opportunity for the Youth Scheme Community Service to paint the rails around the
football pitch. The Clerk needs to
alert the groundsmen who can check if materials need to be
supplied.
The Welham Warriors FC have found
another venue for their event but have advised they are hoping to have two
footballs teams next season.
The problem of dog fouling in
Gobions Open Space was discussed.
Councillor Mrs Saffer considers that the problem is worse than
usual. This is an ongoing
concern. There are plenty of bins
and the Council cannot afford a warden.
An article could be written for Chancellors Newsletter and notices
reinforcing that there are children playing could be erected but they are often
removed.
It was agreed that Clause 7 should
be removed from the Terms of Reference as it was more appropriate for the
Staffing Committee, otherwise the existing Amenities Committee Terms of
Reference was approved.
It was agreed that this item will be
on the agenda in future but any Member who wants to report will need to notify
the Chairman and the Clerk twenty-four hours prior to the
meeting.
The suggestion of a map showing
Parish Council’s land was considered a good idea. Councillor Mrs Boulton offered to meet
with Councillors Mrs Saffer and Wheeler.
The planters outside the office have
not been maintained. The Clerk was
asked to draw the groundmen’s attention to this.
The meeting closed at
Signed
_____________________________
Date
_____________________________