Environment Committee Oct 2011

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE RECREATION AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE OF KINVER PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 19TH OCTOBER 2011.

Present: Councillors, Mrs L Hingley (Chairman), DM Wiseman (Vice Chairman), Mrs R Davis (Ex-Officio), Mrs M Rogers, Mrs ED Ray, J Cutler, Mrs V Davis, HH Rogers and co-opted member Mr. John Fallon.

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

There were no apologies of absence all members were present.

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Cllrs Mrs R Davis and Mrs L Hingley declared non prejudicial interest in Daneford and Jubilee Gardens as they are in the Conservation Area.

3. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the meetings of the Recreation and Environment Committee held on 25th May 2011, having been circulated previously, were approved and signed as a true record of the proceedings at that meeting.

4. MATTERS ARISING

None were reported.

5. UPDATE ON PROGRESS RE JUBILEE AND DANEFORD GARDENS

The works are almost complete, the areas have been seeded but the planting has not taken place due to the weather conditions, the planting should start the end of October / November.

Previously the following recommendation was passed at Council:-

• A replacement notice-board be purchased at a cost of circa £1700 to match the new boards in the High Street. This would be funded from the contingency allowance in the proposed schedule, if there are funds remaining at the end of the project.

However, there will be little funds left once the garden work is complete, so if a board is to be purchased then it would have to be a new recommendation to the Parish Council and ask for funding from the Internal Grants budget head.

It was Resolved to Recommend to the Parish Council that a replacement notice-board be purchased at a cost of circa £1000 to be enclosed to match the new boards in the High Street. This could be funded from the internal projects budget head.

The sign warning of the river has been stolen from Daneford Gardens, the Clerk has had made a temporary sign (but this also keeps being removed) until things settle down and new permanent sign will not be ordered.

The no fishing signs have also been removed from the fence, there have been people spotted fishing along the 2 river banks. It was noted that fisherman must have a permit to fish in the river, but should not do so from privately owned land.

It was Resolved to write to the Freeliners fishing Club and ask them to remind their members that this area is no fishing from the Council land.

The Clerk has asked the volunteer to cut back the trees when they have time to do so from across the river. He will do so when he has time.

6. TO DISCUSS THE SITING OF GYM EQUIPMENT

Members felt that having such equipment would be of great benefit to the parishioners of Kinver, and the costs per piece of equipment is circa £3000.

Other Local Authorities seem to site the gym equipment near children’s play areas, as mothers / grandparents can use the equipment whilst the children play.

The siting of such equipment has been raised with the KSACA, but they wanted more information as there is very limited space in the vicinity of the children’s play area, and due to continuing problems of youths gathering down there at night, it may not be a good time to raise this issue again.

Councilor J Cutler agreed to take forward to the FKOS Group to see if they may consider taking on this project, and look at other sites within the village. Their group would be able to access many more grants as they are a Community led group as opposed to a Parish Council. He will report back to the next meeting. Before grants can be looked any land owners i.e Parish Council, KSCA or District Council would need to give permission for the land to be used in writing.

7. TO RECEIVE THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE ROSPA REPORT

The Play Area and bike track were inspected in August and the following items for action were noted in the report:-

There were no High Risk items of concern, the items below are medium risk.

Ground levels need to be made up on the following pieces of equipment due to wear over the summer months and dry weather conditions:-

• Flat seat swing bay
• Toddler Swing bay
• Toddler Gym Trail
• Cable way matting
• Other items
• Cut back overgrowing vegetation from the Cable way and around the round-a-bout
• Caps missing of the toddler climbing frame
• Cut off bolts under platform of the slide

All of the above the Maintenance Technicians have dealt with

Rota Rider bearings have become loose / damaged needs to be repaired by Wicksteed cost £160 order placed for the work and will be completed by the end of the month.

The Clerk raised that the cable way mats are now being moved around by youths after dark and they are having to be put back into place most days. The Clerk raised with members the idea of looking at more areas of wet pour / matting under pieces of equipment and around the site to tidy up these areas.

She reported she is having a meeting with a supplier in November to get some ideas on options for the site and will report back the findings in January.

Some members felt they would not like to lose all of the grassed area, but matting underneath equipment would be better and still elave picnic areas for people in the summer.

8. COMMUNICATION AND CORRESPONDENCE TO THE CHAIRMAN

None were reported.

9. ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS

• Gym Equipment
• Play Area safety surfacing
• Potters Cross Noticeboard
• Celebration of the Diamond Jubilee – (possible ideas – naming of the new square or tree planting)

10. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The date of the next meeting was noted as Wednesday 11TH January 2012.

11. RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE PARISH COUNCIL

It was Resolved to recommend to the Parish Council that a replacement notice-board be purchased at a cost of circa £1000 to be enclosed to match the new enclosed boards in the High Street. This could be funded from the internal projects budget head.

Chairman

Cllr E Rachel Davis
Tel (office): (01384)873878
Tel (home): (01384) 877441

Email: kinverparish@btconnect.com

Clerk

Mrs. J. Spaull,

Tel: (01384) 873878

Email: kinverparish@btconnect.com