MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE RECREATION AND OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE held on Tuesday, 25 July 2006 in the Parish Room, Village Hall, South Darenth at 7.30 pm.

PRESENT: Cllr G Piller (Chairman)

Cllrs P Bradley, D Payne, R Valentine and I Wescombe

IN ATTENDANCE: C Allart, Parish Clerk

N Fulford, R Payne representing South Darenth Village Society

S Allport, D Crowhurst representing Horton Kirby Village Society

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllrs M Powsey and D Snape

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Cllr D Payne declared a personal interest in Minute 11 as spouse of Chairman of the South Darenth Village Society.

11 HEATHSIDE BOOKINGS

To consider the proposal that all local groups wanting to use Heathside for a community event are required to book the village hall as well.

Cllr Bradley reported that as part of the Darent Valley Lions’ risk assessment for its fete, a separate entrance and exit was needed to and from the public car park on site. As the Lions had booked the hall they were able to use the entrance at the side of the hall. He felt that this was essential in view of the narrow gateway from Heathside at Horton Road and therefore considered that groups who booked Heathside should also have to book the village hall in order to be able to use this second entrance.

Rob Payne said that traffic was not an issue with South Darenth Village Society as it did not allow public parking on site. The only vehicles in the ground were those of helpers who in the main arrived at the start of the event and left at the end so there was little conflict in traffic movements. The Village Society only needed 2 sockets from the hall (generators were the main supply) plus water and it already paid the agreed rate for this use.

David Crowhurst said that it was unlikely that Horton Kirby Village Society would use Heathside but both representatives supported the views of South Darenth Village Society.

The question of insurance cover and requirements was raised and all parties were going to check coverage for these events.

RESOLVED that

All bookings of the Heathside ground be made through the parish council office;

Only local groups be allowed to use the field;

No charge be made to local groups for the use of the field other than for water and electricity as already agreed;

If Heathside is to be used for parking by the public at an event then the village hall must be booked so that an “In” and “Out” traffic system is implemented and users to be informed that this system must be maintained;

12 ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Cllr Bradley reported that a powerful weedkiller was needed to clear a strip 1 metre wide both sides of the entrance roadway to Heathside as the weeds were taking over.

The meeting ended at 8.05 pm.

Chairman

Date