MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE RECREATION AND OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE held on Thursday, 8 February 2007 in the Parish Room, Village Hall, South Darenth at 7.30 pm.

PRESENT: Cllr G Piller (Chairman)

Cllrs P Bradley, M Powsey, R Valentine and I Wescombe

Mr I Blackamore and Mr D Chambers

IN ATTENDANCE: C Allart, Parish Clerk

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr D Snape

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None

44 STANDING ORDERS

RESOLVED that the parish council’s standing orders be adopted for this committee for this and all future meetings.

45 MINUTES OF LAST MEETINGS

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the last ordinary meeting on 13 December 2006 and the special meeting on 24 January 2007 be approved and signed as correct records.

46 MATTERS ARISING

Public Conveniences

Members were informed that the decision in Minute 34 (12/06) has been called in by the Parish Council as the subject of closure had not been on the December meeting agenda. The Parish Council had decided that the public toilets would be closed during winter months and open during summer 2007 as a trial and this decision had been publicised in the recent newsletter and comments from the public were requested. Cllr Bradley reported that he had heard there might be a petition against the closure.

It was reported that the toilets had been found to be open recently and Derek Chambers confirmed that he had found the time clock altered. It was felt that none of the keyholders would have done this so perhaps there had been a power cut. This reinforced the need for the additional lockable bolts.

Terms of Reference

Amended terms of reference for the committee were received, accepted and attached to these minutes.

Shrubbery Road Play Area - Concrete Slab

Ian Blackamore reported that 20 tonnes of topsoil had gone into the hole left by the concrete slab and that it was still not quite level with the surrounding grass. Members agreed to have a look at levels when it had settled.

Fence Next to Bowls Club Hedge

It was pointed out that the cost of the materials for this fence was only about £120 leaving a labour bill of £400 which seemed excessive. A second quote was awaited.

Play Area Repairs

Members discussed in detail the annual inspection reports. It was noted that the Shrubbery Road report included inaccuracies and it was agreed that they should be queried with the report originator before taking the matter further.

47 WESTMINSTER FIELD

Storm Damage

It was reported that 2 medium sized trees on the river bank had come down in the January storms. They had been dragged out of the river by the Environment Agency and would be shredded by the parish council’s contractor. The chippings would be used in the various worn gateways in the field. A dozen tiles had also been ripped off the pavilion roof and these had been replaced immediately by Derek Chambers.

48 HEATHSIDE

Use of Heathside for Sport

The clerk reported that the only decision on the subject of sport on Heathside was in February 2006 when it was resolved that “Westminster Field is the appropriate location for football in the parish”. Members discussed the matter further.

RESOLVED that Heathside will not be used for regular organised sports but exceptions might be considered for one-off or other events.

Entrance Works

The committee looked in detail at the entrance to Heathside and discussed the various possibilities of how to fence it. The decisions in Minutes 24 (10/06) and 34 (12/06) were put aside as they were either not workable or a better solution had been suggested.

It was mentioned that the fence to the right of the height barrier had been replaced with chain link and, as this is the parish council’s fence, it was decided that this should be looked at to see if it should remain. Also, the chestnut paling along the boundary parallel with the railway needed to be considered at a future date as it was quite dilapidated.

RESOLVED that

1. a new metal gate (similar to the one further into the roadway) plus 3 metal posts be erected to replace the existing substandard gate;
2. 2 x 2 metre long fence panels (similar to the ones further into the roadway) be erected immediately to the left of the existing gate post (to remain) leaving a 1 metre (approx) gap for pedestrian access when the gate is closed;
3. the existing concrete posts to the left of the gate post be removed; and
4. the work to go ahead and half of the cost of the new gate and posts be recouped from the bowls club.

49 WESTMINSTER FIELD

River

Members discussed information received from the parish council’s insurers regarding the river bank and discussed whether the picnic area should be locked during the winter or times of flood/high water or the riverbank fenced.

RESOLVED that no action was necessary on the riverbank in view of the fact that the river and picnic area is effectively fenced from the rest of the field.

50 PLAY AREAS

Cradle Swing

RESOLVED that, in view of the insurers’ recommendation not to put one cradle swing in a bay with a flat swing and the high cost of providing a separate cradle swing bay, no action be taken to provide a cradle swing.

51 ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Grass Cutting

It was reported that the grass is already long everywhere and a cut or cuts will be needed before 1 April.

Benches in Picnic Area Westminster Field

Members discussed where the new benches should be sited and whether the frames for the existing benches, which are very solid and in good condition, should be renovated with new slats at one third the price of new benches. It was agreed that these would not last as long as the better constructed seats made of recycled plastic so it was re-affirmed that the old frames would be removed (at a cost of £30 - £40 each)

The meeting ended at 8.43 pm.

Chairman

Date