MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE PLAYING FIELDS AND OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE

 

HELD ON May 10th 2004 AT 7.15 p.m. IN THE BUSH ROOM

 

PRESENT: -      Mrs. J Rodell (Chairman), Mr J Veasey, Mr M Webb, Mrs. A Wilkins,

                             Mr J Head, Mr J Cutland,

                             Mr R Fergyson (Clerk)

 

 

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: - None

 

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

 

The Minutes of the meeting held on March 1st 2004 were approved and signed by the Chairman.

 

 MATTERS ARISING

 

Protection of the Ash tree on land outside St.Helen’s Church.

 

A site meeting was held with Mr Alan Irons of South Gloucestershire Council. Mr Irons arranged for more posts to be installed to prevent vehicle access across the path.

 

    Alveston WI request to replace a tree has now been carried out, and is being formally planted this evening.

 

PARISH STORE                                               Budget from development fund               £3400

 

            A visit was made to the parish store.

The doors were buckled, but could be straightened.

The store was tidy, and not congested as had been the case on previous visits.

The area around the store needs to be cleared of rubbish.

 

            The meeting resumed in the Bush room.  

                                   

Following a discussion on the current store the following was recommended.

1.      To remove any un-used items to increase available storage area.

2.      To tidy the area and remove any un-wanted items, eg roller, old cricket frame, pallet, gates.

3.      Look at being able to cut the grass around the buildings.

4.      Replace the missing guttering.

5.      Strengthen the doors and re-align.

 

 

 

 

 

New Parish Store.

 

Estimates have been obtained for:-

            Extending the base to accommodate a 9ft wide garage

            To extend with by 1.3 m, dig out, compact sub base and finish with 125mm concrete.

York Fencing                                                                                     Price ex vat                £495

 

Garage

Avon Prefabricated Buildings

Apex Spar (similar construction and size to existing) Delivered and installed

            Price includes guttering on two sides, primed up and over door, steel roof     

                                                                                                                        Price ex vat                £2516

                                                                                                                                                            ­­_____

            Total estimated price                                                                                                            £3011

 

The basic question is what will be stored in the new store to justify the expense. The committee did not now feel that the store was probably needed. However a letter will be sent to the cricket club to canvas their needs for increased storage. Following this a decision would be made.

            The committee recommended a consultation letter to the cricket club.

 

Cricket all weather surface.

 

            As part of the site inspection the all weather playing surface was examined. The surface undulates and is dipping in the area of the batting position at both ends.

 

            The clerk reported an estimate had been received since distribution of the agenda from G.B.Sports & Leisure.

            Option a. Remove nails, tension wicket, re-nail and mark out                 Cost £1299.60

            Option  b. Lift surface, rake, loot, and consolidate porous base

Importing new as necessary relay as option a.                  Cost £1551.60

 

Mr John Veasey stated that the surface is only used by the youth team for practice and on rare occasions for matches.

            Recommendation

                        1. The cricket club is consulted on the state of the surface.

                        2. The clerk looks into the possibility of a grant for the work

                       

Lime Kiln Fields Children’s play area               Current Maintenance Budget £300

Roundabout

The clerk reported that G.B. Sport and Leisure had provided the following reports and estimates.

            Problem the roundabout platform is moving and it could be

1)     The spindle is loose in the ground

2)     The bearings are worn.

            Estimate from GB Sports to identify cause                                                            £130.

            Rectification Loose Spindle;

                        Work lift off roundabout break out existing,

Re-set in concrete then replace Roundabout.   £800 -£900

            New bearing

                        Work lift off roundabout, replace bearing and replace. £200 - £300

            Recommendations

            The examination takes place immediately and the result and full estimate is put to full council.

 

Cross Hands Play area

            The clerk reported the following estimate had been received.

           

York Fencing.            Replace spring closures on 3 no. gates.                            £130

 

            Only two springs need to be replaced.

            Recommendation.

                        An order is placed with York fencing to replace two springs.

 

Cemetery                                                                                          Maintenance Budget            £200

The clerk reported the following estimate had been received.

 

            To paint the facia boards on the entrance porch

                        York Fencing                                                                                                             £115

 

Recommendation

            To place an order with York Fencing.

 

Increase in Fees and Charges

The Clerk reported that applying a 3% increase and rounding, in most cases, to the nearest £. Some charges remain the same and have done on a compassionate basis for some years. The following are the charges recommended for the year April 1st 2004 to March 31st 2005.

 

                                                                                                From April 1st             %                     April 1st

                                                                                                2004                           increase         2003

                                                                                                    £                              over 2003             £

CEMETERY

 

Purchase of exclusive rights of burial

 

            Grave - Path side (if available)                                133.00                        3.1%               129.00

            Grave - Elsewhere                                                    122.00                        3.3%               118.00

            Grave – infant                                                              60.00                        3.4%                 58.00

            Grave – Stillborn                                                         15.00                        0.00%               15.00

 

            Cremated Remains Area                                            28.00                       3.7%                 27.00

 

 

            Internment fees

 

            Of a body in a grave:-                                                  90.00                       2.85%               87.50

            Of a body in a grave :- Infant                                       45.00                       2.2%                 44.00

            Of a body in a grave :- Stillborn                                  15.00                       0.0%                 15.00

            Of cremated remains in a casket                               55.00                       3.7%                 53.00

            Scattering of ashes in garden of remembrance       23.00                       4.5%                 22.00

or grave space.

 

Memorial Fees

 

Right to place or erect memorial including first inscription

 

Head stone not exceeding 1metre height         90.00                   2.85%                87.50

Flat or sloping tablet not exceeding 6inches height   49.00                     3.1%                  47.50

Additional Inscription                                                        23.00                  4.5%                  22.00

 

Miscellaneous Fees

 

Search Fee                                                                        5.00                    0.0%                     5.00

Certified copy of Burial Register entry                            5.00                    0.0%                     5.00

 

Playing Fields

 

Hire of Senior Football pitch                                                19.00              5.5%                    18.00

Hire of Junior Football pitch                                       7.50              7.1%                      7.00

Hire of Cricket Pitch Seniors                                               19.00              5.5%                     18.00

Hire of Cricket Pitch Juniors                                                  7.50              7.1%                       7.00

 

New Hire charges for council consideration

Hire of Boule court                                                                    7.00                                   

Hire of any other part of field                                                  10.00

Hire of storage facilities in the garages                                 3.00 per week.                                         

The committee recommend:-

1.                  The increased charges.

2.                  The new charges to apply as applicable.

 

Any other Business.

 

            Mr John Head reported that a consultation paper had been received from British Telecom regarding the removal of some un-profitable pay phones.

            There are four payphones in Alveston Parish, according to BT. The Pay phone at Rudgeway is scheduled for removal.

            Mr John Head then pointed out that the telephone in Hazel Lane is in fact in Old Down in the parish of Olveston, this would leave no telephone near the traffic lights, there being none for some distance along the A38.

            Recommendation.

                        The error of the location of the Hazel lane pay phone is pointed out to BT.

The fact the Rudgeway telephone is on a busy junction means there would be difficulty contacting the emergency services in the event of an accident.

 

Mrs Ann Wilkins reported the poor state of the Cross Hands children’s play area and requested a site meeting. This is to take place immediately before the next meeting of this committee.

The areas of concern are

            The state of the surface.

            The state of the fences.

            The state of the seats.

            The roundabout rubs on the safety matting.

 

The Clerk suggested that while G.B.Sport & Leisure are examining the Lime Kiln field roundabout, this one should be inspected at the same time. The committee agreed not to wait until full council on safety grounds.

 

The meeting closed at 8.30pm.