Recreation - 23 July 2008

MINUTES of the MEETING of the RECREATION GROUNDS COMMITTEE held on
23 July 2008 in the COMMITTEE ROOM, KNEBWORTH VILLAGE HALL at 7.30 p.m.
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Present: Ms Smith (Chairman), Mr John Bantick, Mrs Rosemary Pateman, Mrs Carol Smith, Mr Titmarsh and the Clerk

Apologies: Mrs Presland due to a prior committment

In Attendance: Mr Osborne, Mr Playle and Mr Welham (Knebworth Bowls Club)

1. Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations of interest.

2. Minutes

Proposed by Mr Titmarsh, seconded by Mrs Smith

RESOLVED “that subject to Mrs Smith being present the minutes of the meeting of the Recreation Grounds Committee Meeting held on 4 June 2008 are approved.”

Unanimously agreed.

3. Financial Review

Income at £479 for the quarter is 11% under budget. Expenditure at £18,485 is 1% under budget. Capital expenditure of £354 relates to the purchase of two new litter bins.

4. Knebworth Bowls Club

Mr Playle stated although the Bowls Club did not need a new lease at present it did not want the Tennis Club to suffer. The club currently has a membership of 50 of which 29 are Knebworth residents

The committee and the Bowls Club agreed terms of the new lease:
1. A rent of £300 per annum is acceptable subject to an offset of the water standing charge.
2. No break clause.
3. The club would be responsible for notifying the Parish Council of contractors it wishes to use in the recreation grounds. The Council would have a right to veto, which may be necessary on Health and Safety grounds.
4. The Bowls Club would contribute £375 towards the cost of a new lease.
5. The Bowls Club agreed to be equally responsible with the Parish Council and the Tennis Club for the maintenance of the water pipe from the main water meter in the footpath from Stevenage Road to the dual meters currently situated in the Tennis courts.
6. The lease is to be reviewed every seven years with increases in line with RPI.

5. ROSPA Report

The clerk is arranging general repairs to equipment. The youth shelter is to have anti climb paint on the roof. The clerk has written to Wicksteed regarding the non compliance with EN1176 of the Combat Cableway. A response has not been received.

Mrs Smith reported that rats have returned to Lytton Fields. The clerk is to contact John Connor’s.

6. Accident

A letter has been received from a Mrs Brown regarding a fall in the recreation grounds. It has been passed to the insurance company.

The clerk is to write to the Tennis Club regarding the paving slab footpath between the tennis courts, which has a number of trip factors.

7. Football Clubs

Knebworth FC has requested use of the showers on a training evening. It was agreed that a charge of £10 per evening would be made. A meeting is to be arranged with the football clubs at the beginning of the season.

8. Youth Cafe

The café is quite successful and plans to open for two nights a week during the summer. Mrs Brookes has asked the Parish Council to consider financially supporting the café. It has no funding in the current budget but is to be discussed at the next budget round. The Village Trust is supportive of the project and might provide additional funding.

9. Litter Bins

The broken phoenix bin can be repaired for £100 which is more than 50% of the cost of a replacement bin. The committee agreed that the type of bin is to be reviewed but the phoenix metal bin would no longer be purchased.

10. Bicycle Rack

The chairman and clerk have reviewed sites for locating bicycle racks in the recreation grounds and suggested only one site adjacent to the pavilion. The committee decided that there were sufficient places to secure bicycles in the recreation grounds and did not intend to pursue this item further.

11. Parish Enhancement and Cleansing Fund

A grant application is to be made for £1300 for litter picking the recreation ground over the summer months together with the cost of two bins.

12. Any Other Business

12.1 Anti Social Behaviour
Youths are still congregating in the recreation grounds, with glass being found in the under 5’s area, although there was not much noise. The police are being notified of any damage which might arise.

12.2 King George Vth Playing Fields
Mrs Pateman would like to thank the groundsman for cutting KGV leaving the meadow and border.

12.3 Holiday Cover, litter picking
Ms Smith and Mrs Pateman agreed to undertake litter picking duties whilst the groundsman is on holiday.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.20 p.m.