Thakeham Parish Council

OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE MEETING - Tuesday, 16^th January 2007

Meeting opened:         4.00 p.m.

Present                         Mr A Harwood                            Mrs P Maggs

Mr N Prince      

In attendance                 Mr J Denman                             Clerk to the Council

55.        Apologies for absence

            Apologies were received from Cllr Berry.

56.        Interests of Members

            No interests were declared.

57.        Minutes of the last meeting

Minutes of the last meeting held on 14^th November 2006 were approved and signed.

58.        Correspondence

HDC: Tree overhanging 40 Crescent Rise - clarification of the law but situation has since been resolved.

59.        Report on action items from previous meeting

59.1      (6) Cllr Harwood to monitor toddler play area in future.

59.2      (49.2) Quote from Faros (Ray Farrell) for bus shelter damage and works at playground accepted by Parish Council. Cllr Prince will also get him to secure the fence posts at Linfield Copse. Faros is not VAT registered.

59.3      (49.4) Rain has compacted the bark area in the playground since it was turned over but there is still sufficient depth. Cllr Harwood will continue to monitor.

59.4      (49.5) Quotation for self-closing mechanism on pedestrian gate to be requested from Faros.

59.5      (49.7) Feedback on inspection of Strawberry Lane/Muddy Lane area awaited from Darren Rolfe.

59.6      (51) Cllr Prince will complete the fingerpost survey this week. Clerk to decline the invitation from WSCC to take over future maintenance.

60.        High Bar Lane playground

            The HDC recommendations for improvements were reviewed as follows:

60.1      Clean wet pour and tile surfaces - included in Faros quote.

60.2      Scrub down multi play unit - defer, reconsider in spring.

60.3      Rub down and paint youth shelter - included in Faros quote.

•60.4            Cut grass once a week - consider in 2008.

•60.5            Add football and basketball goal nets - review at a later date.

•60.6            Add playground sign - review at a later date.

•60.7            Replace bark - review at a later date, now been turned over.

•60.8            Lower section of bark pit wall for push chair access - no, not at present.

•60.9            Add 2m high chain link fence behind eastern goal - no, not at present.

•60.10        Move bench at entrance - included in Faros quote but location to be determined after trees positioned.

•60.11        Add linking paths - location to be considered after trees positioned.

•60.12        Introduce roundabout - Cllr Harwood to follow up, location to be determined after trees positioned.

•60.13        Plant trees - see below.

•60.14        Introduce boulders - review at a later date.

61.        Trees for Shade

61.1      Clerk to arrange for Mark Pullen/HDC to visit playground with Cllr Prince and/or Cllr Harwood to recommend locations.

61.2      Cllr Prince to order selected trees provided within budget.

61.3      Cllr Harwood to see if he can get gardening club involved plus First School. Cllr Maggs to get Cllr MacEachern to see if purple bus users also wish to be involved. 

62.        Any other business for noting or inclusion on a future agenda

62.1      Cllr Prince to contact First School PTA Chairman to circulate play area review to children and also pass copies to Cllr Maggs in order for Cllr MacEachern to circulate to purple bus users.

            Meeting closed:           5.00 p.m.