New Alresford Town Council

Meeting of Recreation Committee Meeting

Held at the Alresford Recreation Centre

7.30pm Tuesday, 29 November 2011   

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PRESENT

Cllrs J Read (Chair) Cllrs.  J Cattle, R Gentry,  S McCullouch and M Power.  Sport Club representatives:  T Ingram (Football)   H Ogus (Rugby), A Joyce (Cricket)

 

APOLOGIES

Cllr Barbara Jeffs, Glenn Howes  - Perins Leisure Manager, Richard McPartland - Tennis

 

397

397.1

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST - Declarations of Interest on Agenda Items

Name:  Cllr J Read      Item:         Woodland Trust – Offer of Trees (Minute ……………..

Type:   Personal          Reason:   Rotary Club initiative – Cllr Read member of Rotary Club

Name:  Cllr J Cattle     Item:         Request for Additional Cutting Back of Overgrown Branches rear Arle Close

Type:   Personal          Reason:   Chairman of Bowls Club – a resident affected is a member 

 

398

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING - Minutes of the meeting held on 29 September 2011

Resolution: To approve the Minutes of 16 June 2011 as a true and accurate record

Proposed: Cllr. J Cattle     Seconded: Cllr M Power      (AGREED)

 

399

ACTIONS CARRIED FORWARD:

TI awaiting quotations for goalposts.

 

 

 

Meeting adjourned

 

400

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Mrs Wallis provided photographs and had copies of correspondence from 1981 and 1997 and Town Council Minutes dated 20 September 1984 and stated that agreement made at that time had been for a 6’ shrubbery, not a hedge.  RG advised that Maple should not be cut back.  A quotation had been received for cutting back inside the boundary hedge at a cost of £550.  Mrs Wallis referred to the original agreement and requested that it be reinstated as a shrubs.  Agreed that an alternative quotation  be obtained for the laurel to be cut back to 6’ and conifers to 5’, but leaving the maple alone. 

 

 

Meeting reconvened

 

401

SPORTS AND YOUTH   

 

401.1

Football –  TI said football is again having a problem with dog mess on pitches both at Arlebury and Stratton Bates.  Issue discussed – to be highlighted in the Forum with attention drawn to the fact these are sports pitches.  WCC dog warden to be contacted to find out details and usefulness of high vis paint approach.  Litter problem is getting bad again although a good job is being done by NATC’s litter picker.

 

SK

LM

 

401.2

Youth Football – No report

 

401.3

Cricket -  AJ reported that the under 11, 13 and 15 practice sessions are all well attended, they currently have 9 coaches.  The fixtures list for next season will be forwarded as soon as it is available.

 

401.4

Rugby –  HO stated that the season is under way and so far having a better season, having won twice as many matches to date as during the whole of last season. There is now a visiting coach, training once a fortnight.

 

401.5

Tennis –  RM had provided a written report.  The Tennis Club is still waiting for structural calculations for foundations, then new plans for foundations can be prepared and submitted to Building control.  The LTA had advised tennis courts needs cleaning and repainting although painting will have to wait.

 

401.6

Perins – No report

 

401.7

Youth –  Cllr McCullouch’s elaborated on his written report, a meeting had been held with Cllr Jackie Porter and Fern Calver from Southern Children’s Partnership and Pete Stokes of the Childrens’ Services Dept..    It would be preferred to keep the chapel as a venue for youth services.  Commission services bids have to be in by 21st December and SMcC will be talking to others from Alresford who may be putting bids in.

 

402.

Finance:  

 

402.1

The current figures were presented – no queries raised.

 

402.2

Ratification of 2012 budget – already dealt with at Full Council.

 

403

Woodland Trust – Offer of Trees

Malcolm Miles from the Rotary Club explained that the Rotary Club was mindful to do something for the Jubilee year and felt that one of the Woodland Trust’s schemes for tree planting may be suitable, in particular for Stratton Bates.  It was considered that Stratton Bates was not a suitable location for tree planting – an open view helps with prevention of damage, adjacent residents when consulted at the time of the play area extension had objected to it being tree’d, also concerns that saplings would not be substantial enough for planting in a play/sports area, also the need for regular maintenance.  Noted that whilst not a high visibility project approximately 15 trees a year had been planted for the last three years to reinforce existing hedges.  Most recently at the bottom of Arlebury Park by the Millenium Trail. Trees planted previously if not substantial have been destroyed.   If Rotary would like to help with the planting of hedgerows or mature trees 8 - 10 years old, a willow would be suitable in the Memorial Gardens.   Benenden Green, and opposite The Cricketers also considered as possible locations.  MM to take the matter back to Rotary for further consideration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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404

Car Parking and Extension to Existing Car Parking – Arlebury Park

RG reported that Arlebury Park car park is at certain times overloaded.  The only option to extend is over the grass towards the tennis courts which should create an additional 40 spaces.  TI advised that black top surfacing at approximately £65 per metre would be cheaper than permeable blocks which would be around £85 per metre.  Noted that Perins receive about 50% of car park takings – rate for Arlebury  car park not yet negotiated with WCC.  Noted that the proposed extension should be high enough for there to be no adverse affects for the tennis courts.  The Town Clerk is preparing costings.  TI will also prepare costings.  The proposal to be considered by full Town Council.

 

 

 

 

 

SK/TI

405

Recreation Grounds and Parks

 

405.1

405.1.1

Sun Hill Recreation Ground

Coppicing:  A meeting had taken place with Andrew Giles, the Arboricultural Officer at WCC.  His advice was that it would be best to coppice the trees at the top of the bank down to the top of their bolls which would allow new shoots to grow and enable ground ivy and other plants to colonise the better lit ground.  Repeat coppicing recommended every third to fifth year thereafter.  Trees growing further down the bank and the large trees rooted at the bottom of the bank to be left alone until the effects of the coppicing can be assessed.  Two quotations for the work had been received for £1,800 and £1,100.

Resolution:  That the quotation received from Chris Matthews for £1,100 for the coppicing work be accepted.

Proposed:  Cllr Power                          Seconded:    Cllr Cattle                   Agreed

 

Clerk

405.2

405.2.1

405.2.2

 

 

 

405..2.3

 

Arlebury Park

Proposal for Extension to Skate Park/BMX Track:  Public meeting due to be held on 30 November.

Request for Picket Fence – Petanque Area:    A request had been received for a fence to be erected around the petanque area to discourage people and dogs from kicking the surface up.  A quote for a 3’ post and rail fence with exit gate received for £1,236.00.  An additional quote to be obtained.  Petanque users to be asked what contribution, if any, they can make.  Queried whether more enclosures wanted on open spaces.  To be reconsidered when second quote obtained.

Request for Additional Cutting Back of Overgrown Branches Rear Arle Close: Dealt with in Public Participation, Item 400, above.

 

 

 

 

Clerk

 

405.3

 

 

 

Stratton Bates

Girl Guides – Offer of Centenary Bench:  The Guides to be thanked for their kind offer of a bench, which it was agreed should be positioned near the toddler equipment, facing south and should be of similar substantial type to other recreation ground benches. 

 

Clerk

406

Other Business:

None

 

 

407

Next Meeting: To be held at 7.30pm on Thursday, 16 February, 2012 at Alresford Recreation Centre

                                                                  Meeting Closed at 8.43pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chairman’s Signature…………………………………….Date…………………….

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