Recreation - 7 January 2009

MINUTES of the MEETING of the RECREATION GROUNDS COMMITTEE held on
7 January 2009 in the PAVILION, KNEBWORTH RECREATION GROUNDS at
7.30 p.m.
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Present: Ms Smith (Chairman), Mr John Hunt, Mrs Carol Smith and the Clerk

Apologies: Mrs Pateman and Mrs Presland due to illness
Mr Bantick and Mr Titmarsh due to a prior commitment


1. Declarations of Interest

Mr Hunt declared that he is president of Knebworth Tennis Club

2. Minutes

Proposed by Mrs Smith, seconded by Mr Hunt

RESOLVED “that subject to Mr Hunt being present the minutes of the meeting of the Recreation Grounds Committee Meeting held on 15 October 2008 are approved.”

Unanimously agreed.

3. Financial Review

Income at £2,902 for the nine months is in line with budget. Expenditure at £33,585 is 16% under budget. Capital Expenditure of £1,176 relates to new goal posts.

4. Football Pitches

The committee agreed to a request for use of J1 pitch on Saturday afternoon for the 2009/10 season. The clerk is to determine what hire charges are paid for the school pitch.

5. Footpaths

The review of the footpaths wasn’t undertaken due to the inclement weather. A report will be prepared for the next meeting.

6. Knebworth Bowls & Tennis Club Lease

Foreman Laws is preparing draft leases for the Bowls and Tennis Clubs, which should be available prior to the next meeting.

7. Play Equipment

Wicksteed is trialing a new end stop and if successful it will undertake repairs on the combat cableway during January.

8. Pavilion Equipment

The cooker has been repaired, a seal had not been put back properly. Mr Starkey is to fix aluminium strips to the doors and worktop. There had been problems with the heating system and a switch had tripped. The programming of the heating system needs review. The clerk and two councillors are to inspect the system.

2008/09 64

9. HCC Lease

Mr Morgan has written confirming that HCC is prepared to enter into a twenty year lease and restrict invocation of the break clause for three years.

10. Benches

A schedule of benches was reviewed. Two have been removed as they were beyond repair. It was agreed that these would not be replaced at the moment. The clerk is to arrange cleaning of the dirty benches.

11. Any Other Business

11.1 Litter, Deards End Lane
Mr Hunt reported that a lot of litter has been dumped on Deards End Lane. The clerk is to contact Mr Flack, NHDC.

11.2 Barrier entrance
The clerk reported that over the Christmas period the barrier had been left open and a white truck was seen driving along the eastern boundary. When approached one of the three men stated that they were inspecting the fence. Having driven the length of the fence the truck drove off. No contractors had been asked to undertake any repairs on the fence. The footballers have been informed and asked to ensure that the gate is closed when they leave.


There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.20 p.m.