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Minutes of a Meeting of the Wickhambrook Parish Council Estates
Committee
14th September 2004 at 7.30 p.m. in All Saints Church Meeting
Room |
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ACTION |
Present
Cllrs. J. Walker, A. Harrison, K. Merritt, J. Wilson, J. Claydon,
P. Bevan
P. Miller
Clerk P. Miller
Representative of the Parochial Church Council – M. Chester
Representatives of the Bowls Club – S. Bates and I. Peacock
Representative of the Memorial Social Centre and the Tennis
Club – J. Field
Borough Cllr. D. Redhead
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| It was resolved that two items on the agenda –
“Maintenance of All Saints Churchyard” and “Wickhambrook
Bowls Club” should be considered before the routine business
of the Committee and that Cllr. Wilson (Chairman of the Parish
Council) should chair the meeting for these two items. |
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1. Apologies for absence
J. Shaw, P. Bayman, Cllr. S. Sumner, A. Lightly (Bowls Club)
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2. Declarations of interest in agenda items
Cllr. Bevan had absented himself from the meeting for the churchyard
item due to having an interest as a member of the Parochial
Church Council.
There were no other declarations of interest.
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| 3. Maintenance of All Saints Churchyard |
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| 3.1 It was agreed that a paper issued by the Clerk (copy attached),
based on research of past Parish Council minutes, indicated
that the Parish Council had accepted responsibility in the past
for maintenance of the closed churchyard of All Saints Church
even though no documented transfer of responsibility from the
Parochial Church Council had been found. |
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| 3.2 M. Chester confirmed that the paper had been presented
to the Parochial Church Council and that there had been no objection
to the Parish Council having maintenance responsibility. |
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| 3.3 It was agreed that where repair to a headstone falls to
the Parish Council, i.e. where the grave owners cannot be contacted,
it should be decided by the Estates Committee whether the headstone
be repaired or laid down. Where a historic memorial is involved
the matter should be discussed with the Parochial Church Council
with a view to possible joint funding of the repair. |
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| 3.4 The Clerk confirmed that the Parish Council’s existing
Public Liability insurance would extend to the churchyard and
that recorded risk assessment and regular safety inspections
would be required. Cllr. Bevan had volunteered to undertake
such inspections and this was approved. |
PB |
3.5 It was resolved unanimously that the Parish Council formally
accept responsibility for all aspects of the maintenance of
the churchyard external to the fabric of the church.
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| 4. Wickhambrook Bowls Club |
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| 4.1 S. Bates reported that membership of the Club had fallen
to 10 plus 3 part-time members. The Club had reduced its playing
commitment to the League in order to cut costs and to be able
to comply with team number requirements. With present membership,
income for next season would be around £560 with outgoings
for insurance and MSC hiring of around £500. This would
leave little for grounds maintenance. |
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| 4.2 The green had been inspected by the St Edmundsbury Head
Groundsman who had advised the need for immediate remedial work
followed by an annual maintenance programme. The estimated cost,
excluding routine grass cutting and watering, was £2,085
in the first year and £1,852 p.a. thereafter. S. bates
commented that a groundsman from another club had offered to
do the work at less cost. |
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| 4.3 Cllr. Wilson expressed the Parish Councils concern as
to whether, with such a small and dwindling membership, financial
support through the precept could be justified. What steps had
been and could be taken to attract new members? |
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| 4.4 S. Bates responded that the club had advertised in local
villages and in the Scene. However the lack of on-site toilets
and proper pavilion made recruitment difficult and had led to
existing members leaving to join clubs with better facilities.
Such clubs often charged less in membership fees as income was
supported through a bar and other social facilities. |
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| 4.5 J. Field commented that other bowls clubs were experiencing
similar membership problems and that there appeared to be a
trend away from bowls. |
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| 4.6 It was pointed out that the Club had been offered help
with the provision of a “portaloo” but that this
had been rejected. S. Bates responded that such facilities were
expensive and not really suitable. J. Field suggested that toilets
could be installed in the existing pavilion. The Clerk advised
that a Planning Officer had previously indicated that this was
unlikely to be approved. |
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| 4.7 Cllr. Wilson asked whether any grant providers had been
approached to assist with improving facilities. S. Bates responded
that this had been investigated but that the Club would not
have been able to provide the necessary partnership funding. |
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| 4.8 Borough Cllr. Redhead commented that increased income
was essential if the Club is to continue. He suggested that
Grampian Foods be approached as they are currently without an
on-site bowls green and might be interested in using ours which
could generate some income. There would also seem to be a large
surrounding area from which members could be drawn as was detailed
in the RAFT scheme which provided much of the funding for the
green. |
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| 4.9 P. Miller suggested that the Club needed to seek marketing
advice to promote the club. The Clerk reported that the Bury
Bowls Club, through Borough Cllr. Redhead, had offered advice
on recruitment. S. Bates responded that such help was available
through the League. |
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| 4.10 Cllr. Claydon reported that the MSC had considered the
problem of falling membership in other village clubs as well
and was planning a structured promotional initiative with marketing
advice etc. and involving all clubs. |
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| 4.11 J. Field reported that following the winding-up of the
Petanque Club residual funds had been donated to the MSC and
these might be made available to assist the Bowls Club. |
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| 4.12 The Clerk commented that there seemed to be the belief
in the village that the Club was already finished. S. Bates
advised that the Club committee had resolved that the Club would
continue next season despite the shortage of income. |
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| 4.13 Cllr. Wilson, in summing up, pointed out that without
a village bowls club or some outside user the £45,000
initial investment in the green would effectively be lost. Nevertheless
it would not make sense to invest further in an underused facility
so the viability of the Bowls Club and/or the green needs to
be assured if the Parish Council is to consider financial assistance.
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| 4.14 It was agreed by all parties that every effort should
be made to increase Club membership and/or other use of the
green, that the MSC’s promotional proposal should be supported
and that a public meeting should be arranged in Spring 2005
to consider what other steps may be needed. |
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Cllr. Wilson thanked the representatives for attending
and for their assistance with the matters under discussion.
He then retired from the meeting together with other Cllrs.
and and the representatives.
Cllr. Walker took the chair to consider the rest of the agenda
in the presence of Cllrs. Harrison and Merritt, P. Miller and
the Clerk.
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5. Minutes of meeting of 3rd August
The previously issued minutes were taken as read and signed.
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6. Matters arising
No matter raised. |
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7. Finance
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| 7.1 The following payments were noted: |
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| 7.1.1 |
Saxon Monumental |
Repairs to headstones in churchyard
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88.12 |
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| 7.1.2 |
D.R King & Son |
Disabled access paths |
2,373.50 |
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| 7.1.3 |
D.R. King & Son |
Path and grassing to skatepark |
1,515.75 |
No.2 a/c |
| 7.2 The following income was noted: |
| 7.2.1 |
W’brook Bowls Club |
Ground rent 2003 (part) & 2004 |
15.75 |
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8. Tree Warden's Report
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Nothing to report
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| 9. Cemetery |
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9.1 Inspections. The Clerk apologised that although he had
received a report from P. Bayman he had not brought it to the
meeting.
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9.2 Chapel security. The door drop bolt and hinges had been
made secure.
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9.3 Chapel gutters had been cleared.
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9.4 Rubbish bins. The Clerk reported that there are two wheely-bins
but no procedure for ensuring their collection.
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| 9.5 Grave diggers’ equipment had been collected. |
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| 10. Playground |
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| 10.1 Routine safety inspections. The Clerk reported on behalf
of J. Shaw that she had carried out regular inspections and
that no safety issues had been noted. |
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10.2 Maintenance.
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| 10.2.1 Senior climber safety mat. Awaiting installation. |
Clerk |
| 11. Teen Project |
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| 11.1 Routine safety inspections. The Clerk reported that he
had carried out weekly inspections. No safety issues had been
noted. |
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| 11.2 Outstanding work. The Clerk reported that EIBE had agreed
to the goal net being supplied and installed at their cost by
a local contractor and the order had been placed. |
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| 12. Six Acres |
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12.1 Inspections. In the absence of A. Mitchell no report
was available.
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12.2 Disabled access paths. Allocation from County Cllr. Midwood’s
Locality Fund had been confirmed and payment should be received
shortly.
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12.3 Use by motor vehicles. The Clerk reported that he had
contacted the insurers and been advised that existing Public
Liability insurance provides cover but that a risk assessment
should be carried out and, if necessary, measures introduced
to restrict vehicular access. It was resolved that as the first
stage of a risk assessment a survey be carried out to assess
the extent of the problem.
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AH |
| 13. Village Greens |
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13.1 Inspections. In the absence of A. Mitchell no report
was available.
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13.2 Signage of Greens. The Clerk reported that he had received
a response from the History Society indicating that there were
members willing to assist. It was resolved that the matter be
referred back to Cllr. Wilson as the initiator of the proposal.
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JW |
13.3 Moor Green. No-Parking signs awaiting erection.
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JW |
| 14. Date of next meeting |
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| Tuesday 2nd November, 7.30 p.m., venue to be confirmed. |
Clerk |
15. Dates of subsequent meetings.
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| To be arranged. |
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16. Any other business
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| Nothing raised |
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| Meeting closed at 9.10p.m. |
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