Balderton Parish Council

Minutes of the Amenities Committee meeting held in the Balderton Village Centre Council Hall on Wednesday December 5th 2007 at 7.00pm

PRESENT Councillors White (Chairman), Sheppard (Vice Chairman), Allsopp, Hind, Mrs Jarvis, Mortimore, Mrs Newstead, Mrs Walker and Miss Watson with County Councillor Walker, District Councillor Mrs Brooks, a representative of the local press and the Clerk.

APOLOGIES were received from Cllrs Colman, Gibson, Gosling, Mutter and Radley,
and Head Groundsman Mr Brown.


1424 Declarations of Interest
Cllr Allsopp declared a personal and prejudicial interest to minute reference 1427 – floodlit football training, and a personal interest to minute reference 1428 - Angling Club charges.

1425 Clerk/Chairman’s Update
A printed update of ongoing matters was circulated and noted. The update is published with the minutes. The following issues were discussed from the update:
1. Re Minute 1417.1 Headstone safety The vicar has suggested that a meeting is required to discuss the way forward with regard to headstone safety in the Churchyard. It is fully expected that many of the headstones will fail the ‘topple test’ and be declared unsafe – the financial implications are considerable.

It was, AGREED that a meeting be arranged with Rev. Tucker in the New Year to discuss the issue.

2. Re Minute 1433b Ticket Hut Approval was given to accepting the quotation for necessary electrical work to the ticket hut, in the absence of the two further quotations that had been requested but not received.

Cllr Fletcher joined the meeting at approximately 7.30pm

1426 Cemetery Extension
The architect has approached a local Quantity Surveyor who advises that the cost to supply an estimate for the proposed work is £360. Members considered that the costs must be known for budgetary purposes, and accepted the quotation.
The Environment Agency has advised that prior to development, simple trial pits should be dug in the land while the water table is high to ensure there is no groundwater seepage at depth in that area. It is anticipated that the groundstaff can carry out this work.

1427 Floodlit Football Training
Members reviewed the floodlit football training sessions presently being run on a trial basis by Balderton Athletic FC. Problems have been experienced through lack of communication from the club regarding the times of the sessions, particularly not advising if sessions have been cancelled, causing difficulties for the staff. Users of the lights have advised that the light is not really sufficient. Some concerns were expressed about health and safety issues. Discussion also took place regarding the lack of suitable all weather training facilities at the Grove Leisure Centre which has an Astroturf pitch that has fallen into disuse due to lack of maintenance. The Parish Council’s facilities are not suited to all year training, and it is unable to provide the type of facilities really required.

It was, RECOMMENDED a) that the sessions no longer take place on the field.
b) Grove Rangers FC, who had asked for permission to also carry out floodlit training will now be advised that permission will not be granted.
c) that a letter be sent to the District Council and County Council asking that the inadequate sporting facilities be reviewed during the planning process of the new school and leisure services provision.

1428 Fees and Hire Charges 2008/09
Consideration was given to the Council’s charges for the next financial year. It was acknowledged that there is a requirement to substantially increase sporting fees next year to more truly reflect the increased costs to provide the facilities. Sunday football teams have historically paid more than Saturday teams owing to higher staffing costs – this no longer reflects the staffing situation.

It was, RECOMMENDED a) that Saturday and Sunday adult football teams be charged the same fee of £350 per season. Saturday team increases will be staggered over two years.
b) all Junior football teams be charged at £155. Saturday team increases will be staggered over two years.
c) that there be no increase to mini pitch fees.
d) cricket fees be increased by 10%.
e) bowls fees be increased by 5%.
f) angling fees be increased by 5%.
g) village centre hire charges remain unchanged, other than the administration staff be allowed flexibility to reduce charges slightly for Monday-Friday daytime usage when attendant fees are not incurred.

1429 Village Centre
Discussion took place regarding the need to review management practices and other issues at the Centre after its first operational year. Members considered that the Hall committee should reconvene and re-name as the Centre Management Committee, and a meeting be held in the New Year to discuss all associated issues. Any financial implications would be referred for approval to the F&GP committee. Cllrs Allsopp, Mrs Newstead, Sheppard, Miss Watson and White elected to serve on the committee.
1430 2008/09 Budget
Further consideration was given to any budgetary requirements for 2008/09. Projects considered for inclusion are the Cemetery extension and playing field drainage work. Costs for both of these are still awaited. Members considered that no other major projects could be considered for the next financial year.

1431 Quarterly Bonus
Approval was given to the payment of the groundstaff’s quarterly bonus.

1432 Post Flooding Options
Consideration was given to the District Council’s proposals to improve systems in the event of localised flooding by introducing Flood Warning Schemes and Community Resilience Stores to store signs, flood bags etc. Members considered that Mr Harrison from the District Council should be invited to a specific meeting after the New Year to fully explain the proposals and implications.

1433 Information/Correspondence
The following items of information/correspondence have been received and were noted:
a) Notice that the second application to operate a dismantling scrap yard at Twitch Farm has been turned down by the County Council. The appeal against the first application’s refusal is still pending – officers hope that this will take place in February 2008.
b) Advance notice that the parish footpath review must take place before the end of the financial year – Cllr Mrs Walker advised that she wished to resign as Footpaths Officer, a post presently shared with Cllr Miss Watson. Cllr Allsopp and Miss Watson undertook to carry out the review after the New Year.
c) Initial enquiries have been made to find a suitable method of screening off the shower areas of the changing rooms. One idea has been submitted through the local Jacksons Building Centre, for vandal proof screens with salon type doors at a cost of £600 for each room. Members considered that just one set of screens should be purchased and installed to assess the effectiveness before any further expenditure is committed.

1434 Future agenda Items
No items were raised.

The meeting closed at approximately 8.25pm

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