Meeting of the Environmental
Initiatives Committee of the
Present: Cllr. Robert
Thompson (Chairman), Cllr David Capstick,
Cllr Lynday Cussons, Cllr Jean Evans,
Cllr Peter Griffiths,
Cllr Jill Houlbrook, Cllr Patricia Lott and Cllr Bryan Smith
1.
APOLOGIES:
Apologies were received
from Cllr Caroline Mosley.
Resolved: that the apologies be noted.
2. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN:
Cllr
Peter Griffiths proposed that Cllr Robert Thompson be
appointed Chairman of the Committee, this was seconded
by Cllr Bryan Smith. No other
nominations were received.
Resolved: that Cllr Robert Thompson be appointed Chairman of
the Committee for the ensuing year.
3. DECLARATIONS OF
INTEREST:
No
apologies were received.
4 IMPROVEMENTS TO CHEMISTRY PITS PLAY AREA:
The
Clerk reported on the meeting that the Chairman and herself
had with Pete Attwood of BTCV to look at ideas to
improve the wildlife area. She reported
that the cost of doing all the work discuss would be in the region of £4,500
and that there was £1,650 already available from the City Council and that she
had applied for a Community Play Areas grant for the remainder. Cllr Peter Griffiths
asked the meeting if the name of the play area could be changed to something
more appropriate. Cllr Jean Evans told
Members that there may be something in the deeds that prohibits a change of
name and that she also felt that the local electorate should be consulted
before ay change is made. Cllr Jill Houlbrook asked if the improvements included more trees and
said that she thought standards should be used rather than saplings. Members discussed the possibility of asking local
residents or groups to sponsor a tree for the area. The Chairman told Members that there may well
be some anniversary i.e. Community Links for which trees could be planted and
that the History Group should be contacted to ascertain this.
Resolved: (a) that
the Clerk check the deeds with regard to the change of name.
(b)
that the Committee look further at the idea of a change
of name for the area at a future meeting.
(c)
that an article be put in the next Community Newsletter
to ask residents to sponsor a tree.
(d)
that the Chairman contact the History Group.
5. BULB/TREE PLANTING FOR 2006/07:
Members
discussed various ideas for enhancing the areas with bulbs and trees. The ideas put forward were:
i.
To some plants/shrubs beside the bus shelter on
ii.
To extend the bulbs on the bank on
iii.
To put a planter beneath the
Members
felt that as the area to the side of the bus shelter on
Member
did like the idea of a planter at the Zoo roundabout but various points were
raised with regard to the provision of the planter, plants and also who would
water them.
Resolved: (a) that the Clerk
contact the Highways Department to request that the
area to the side of the bus shelter receive some attention.
(b)
that the Clerk write to the City Council to request
additional bulb planting on the bank on
(c)
that the Clerk obtain details of large planters, ask Chester Zoo if
they could provide plants and also ask both the Highways Department and Chester
Zoo if they would be able to assist with the watering of the plants.
6. BEST
KEPT GARDEN COMPETITION 2006:
The
Clerk reported that there were 22 gardens entered into the competition and that
the judging was taking place on
Resolved: (a) that
the report be noted.
(b) that the prize-giving be organised for
the next meeting of the Committee.
7. DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
Resolved: that the next meeting be held at