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VILLAGE AMENITIES COMMITTEE

Minutes of the meeting of the Village Amenities Committee of Colwall Parish Council held on Wednesday 5th March 2008 at 7.30pm in the Jean Simon Room, Colwall Village Hall.

 

Present:

Councillors: Mrs N. Carless and Mrs G Rees, Messrs Abbotts, Beard, Hunt, Leaper, Mills and Milne and Co-opted members Mr D. Fisher and Mrs J Robinson.

And the Clerk

 

1.         Welcome and Apologies.

The chairman welcomed Mrs J Robinson as a new co-opted member of the Committee and Councillors G Rees and Milne, who as new Councillors, choose to attend this committee

 

2.         Declaration of Interests.

No “Declarations of Interests” were made.

 

3.         Minutes.

The minutes of Village Amenities Committee held on Wednesday 2nd January 2007 were approved and signed by the Chairman.

 

4.         Progress Reports.

The Progress Reports were read out and the following was noted:

 

  1. Aunt Alice Clock Repair – The Clerk will work with Councillor G Rees, who has volunteered to help in this project. In February, the Clerk attended a meeting with the Heritage Lottery Fund “HLF” who confirmed, they could be a possible funding source for these repairs. An application will be made to HLF, after Councillor Rees and the Clerk have attended a free HLF workshop in early April, to assist with the application requirements.

The clerk is arranging for the Christmas lights to be removed.

 

  1. Orlin Road Play Area (TH) – The goalposts have been moved and the moles removed.

The clerk has submitted a request via Herefordshire Council to ascertain if there is any grant monies available in the next financial year to contribute to or pay for the drainage repairs required in this area.

 

  1. Walwyn Meadow and Library Building – S Maund will move the seat 90 degrees, as previously agreed by committee, when the new donation seat has been delivered (estimated mid May).

 

iv)        Fly tipping and Graffiti - Herefordshire Council have removed those items reported; Councillor Leaper raised concerns about the increased levels of fly tipping in the Village. IT WAS AGREED that the Clerk would enquire of the contractors via Herefordshire Council they if can attempt to find the perpetrator, so that we can pass on the information to the appropriate parties.

 

v)         “Welcome to Colwall Village” Cast Iron Sign – David Fisher was thanked for organising its repair. The sign has now been repainted and is back on its post at the entrance to the Village.

 

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Conservators -The Clerk and Parish Council Chairman met with Ian Rowat on the 8th January.

An updated report confirms 4 trees have been removed in Stowe Lane with a further thinning planned for next winter.

The lower branches of the lime trees on the public footpath next to the Primary School are to be trimmed back in March.

A diseased Lime tree in Upper Colwall has been felled.

 

Notice Boards

New Notice Board for the Library – Fitted and grant monies received

Upper Wyche Notice Board – After the meeting in January, the Conservators have installed a lockable unit on this Notice Board.

The Clerk has received compliments from the public about both these facilities.

 

Seats and Litter Bins–

i)               Councillor Onions memorial seat has been ordered, and should be delivered in circa 3 weeks. Councillor Mills has arranged its location with Colwall Cricket Club.

ii)             We have a donor for the refurbishment of the Commemorative seat at Allens Meadow. This should be undertaken over the next month or so.

iii)           A further donor has been found for a new seat at Aunt Alice (facing the play area) – delivery expected mid May.

The broken litter bins reported at the last meeting have been mended.

 

ROSPA report The Clerk confirmed all items that can be actioned on the 2007 report have been, and the new cradle seats and fixings for the swings at Walwyn Park and Colwall Green have been fitted.

 

Railway Garden – A voluntary group is still being sought for maintain the Railway Gardens as the school cannot fit this into their curriculum.

In the meantime, the Village contractor is keeping the area trimmed and tidy

IT WAS AGREED the Clerk would advertise for a voluntary group in the Clock

 

5.         Amenities Budget.

i)                    Councillor Mills to circulate the review comparing the year to date expenditure against the budget, by the end of this week.

ii)                  The Clerk presented copies of the Lengthsmans Contract tenders submitted from 2 contractors, for the next year, for consideration. IT WAS RESOLVED that the contract would be awarded to the current contractor as the tender was within the Village Amenities 2008/9 budget, the contractor has a very good track record with the council and numerous positive comments have been received from Parishioners

IT WAS RESOLVED that the Clerk write to advise the contractors accordingly.

iii)                The Clerk requested that Committee authorise 3 extra days paid work for the Village Maintenance Contractor for the installation of the 3 new seats currently on order.

IT WAS AGREED that the Committee agreed to this request

 

6.         Sites Overview.

  1. Orlin Road Play Area (TH) – Reported to be in good condition.

 

 

 

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  1. War Memorial Garden (NC) – It was reported that the tree by the sensory garden has suffered storm damage IT WAS AGREED that the Tree Officer would attend a site visit and advise the Clerk what remedial action should be taken.
  2. Allen’s Meadow (TH) – IT WAS AGREED, that the Clerk would liaise with the Conservators regarding the grass cutting regime, to ascertain if it can be cut with the same frequency as the other play areas in the Village
  3. Walwyn Meadow and Library Building –Councillor Carless advised that she had been notified that there will be a presentation in front of Aunt Alice on 15th March at 11am for the Carl Attwood Collection Fund. Member so the Public who have contributed are invited to attend.
  4. Colwall Green (DF/WL) – Reported to be in good condition.
  5. Brookmill Close play area (JB) – Reported to be in good condition.
  6. Aunt Alice – Reported to be in good condition.

 

7.         Parish Notice Boards.

All Notice Boards are reported to be in good condition

The Conservators have agreed to supply a new Information Board for Colwall Green, to inform the public of the conservation value in the site.

Mrs J Robinson volunteered to work with the Primary School and the Conservators on the design of this Information Board.

 

8.                  Village Seats and Litter Bins.

D Fisher provided an up to date seat audit and schedule of the Public Waste Bins

 

·                     9.   ROSPA report – The Clerk advises that the 2008 ROSPA inspection will take place during the weeks commencing 14th and 21st April. Any actions identified will be actioned accordingly or further information/guidance sought as appropriate. – diarise fwd.

 

·                     10. Railway Gardens. Committee considered the quotation provided by the Clerk and IT WAS RESOLVED it be recommended to Full Council that the quotation was accepted and that the Clerk place as order as per the quotation, in brass.

 

11.       Date of next meeting.

The next meeting of the Village Amenities Committee will be held on Wednesday 9th April 2008, in the Jean Simon Room at Colwall Village Hall.

 

The meeting closed at 8.33 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chairman…………………………….            Date……………..