Recreation Grounds - 22 July

MINUTES of the MEETING of the RECREATION GROUNDS COMMITTEE held on
22 July 2009 in the COMMITTEE ROOM, KNEBWORTH VILLAGE HALL at
7.45 p.m.
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Present: Mr John Hunt (Chairman), Mr John Bantick, Mrs Rosemary Pateman, Mrs Caroline Presland, Mrs Carol Smith, Mr Anthony Titmarsh and the Clerk

1. Declarations of Interest

Mr Hunt declared that he is president of the Tennis Club and Mrs Pateman declared that she is a member of the Tennis club.

2. Minutes

Proposed by Mrs Smith, seconded by Mr Bantick

RESOLVED “that the minutes of the meeting of the Recreation Grounds Committee Meeting held on 27 May 2009 are approved.”

Unanimously agreed.

3. Financial Review

Income at £851 for the quarter is in line with budget. Expenditure at £14,446 is 25% under budget due to lack of utility bills and no work on trees, fences and the pond. Two litter bins and a bench have been purchased and installed at a cost of £2,239.

4. Pavilion Maintenance

Two glazed units have been repaired. The floors are being repainted. The committee agreed to the recommendation to install a flow through water heater to supply the kitchen and two toilets. The large calorifiers would only be used for the changing rooms. Cussens & Sons are to undertake the work.

5. Youth Club

It was agreed that the Youth Club should be asked for a contribution towards the cost of the replacement glazing unit damaged by the group.

6. Provision of Drinking Fountain in the Recreation Ground

An external drinking fountain would cost into the region of £1300. The committee considered this too high especially since there is potable water available in the outside toilets. Signs are to be erected near the under 5’s play area.

7. Play Equipment

Mrs Pateman has given play equipment brochures to residents in Old Knebworth so that they can identify the type of equipment wanted by the 8-13 year olds. Some type of goal or target practise wall has been suggested.

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Proposed by Mrs Smith, seconded by Mrs Pateman and

RESOLVED that “a hot shot goal at a cost of £1355 would be purchased, if requested by Old Knebworth residents”.

Agreed.

It was also agreed that a replacement Lappet zig zag balance beam would be purchased for the Recreation Ground.

8. Benches

A quote for £2795 for four benches has been received from Playground Services. Knebworth Youth FC has been provided with the quote and asked if the club is willing to contribute, since it requested benches to be located near J1 and A2 football pitches. The clerk is to contact the club for a response.

9. Bowls & Tennis Club Lease

Mr Hunt left the room. Mr Bantick took the chair in the absence of the chairman.
Knebworth Bowls & Tennis Clubs have received the second draft of the lease. Knebworth Bowls has accepted the lease after further clarification. Knebworth Tennis Club has written with several comments. The committee discussed each point and agreed to extend the acknowledgement of the revised rent to thirty days rather than ten. It did not agree to changes of lease date, inclusion of table tennis or emphasising words within the lease.

Mr Hunt returned to the meeting.

10. HCC lease

There is no further information on the lease.

11. Any Other Business

11.1 Pavilion Usage by Youth Groups
It was confirmed that the youth groups had decided to close for the summer due to shortage of leaders during the holiday period.

11.2 Dog Fouling
Mrs Smith requested additional dog fouling signs in Lytton Fields, due to increased fouling in the area.

11.3 Land Allocations Options
Mr Bantick informed the committee that NHDC land Allocations document is on deposit until 14 September 2009. The council is to hold open sessions on August 6 and September 5, followed by a public meeting on 9 September, which can address the issues of green belt development and the proposal for the secondary school.





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11.4 Gravel, Groundsman Store
Youths are throwing the stones, around the groundsman’s store, onto the playing fields. The groundsman picks them up prior to mowing, however recently a stone was thrown up and nearly missed a baby in a pushchair. Previously road scalpings had been laid in this area which bind together. The surfacing is to be reviewed at the next meeting.

.7 Next Meeting Date
The next meeting will be held on 21 October 2009.


There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.07 p.m.