UPTON BY CHESTER & DISTRICT PARISH COUNCIL

Meeting of the Playing Fields Committee of the Upton by Chester & District Parish Council held on Tuesday 10^th April 2007 at the Pavilion, Wealstone Lane.

Present: Cllr Jean Evans (Chairman), Cllr Theresa Bartliff, Cllr John Butler

Cllr Gerald Grant, Cllr Peter Griffiths, Cllr Gill Jordan and Cllr Bryan Smith.

1. APOLOGIES:

Apologies were received from Cllr Pat Lott.

Resolved: that the apologies be noted.

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

Cllr Gill Jordan declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 8.

3. TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON PLAY AREAS:

The Clerk reported that she was now qualified to do Routine/Visual Inspections on play equipment. She also reported on play areas including the following:

Wealstone Lane – The fencing to the play area had come loose and a number of posts had to be re set.

Chemistry Pits Play Area – A panel to the gate had recently been broken and had been repaired.

Resolved: that the reports be noted.

4. BOWLING CLUB FEES FOR 2007/08:

Cllr Gerald Grant reported on a visit he had made with the Clerk to Mr & Mrs Higgins of Upton Bowling Club to discuss fees. He reported that the clubs had seen a large reduction in the number of members and that they were now having difficulty meeting the current fees and wanted the Parish Council to consider reducing the fees. He also reported that the Bowling Clubs would like to reduce their current times on the bowling green. Members discussed this request and were concerned that the budget for 2007/08 had already been set. Cllr John Butler proposed that there be no change for this year but that the Parish Council look favourably at reducing subsequent years’ fees. Cllr Theresa Bartliff seconded the motion.

Recommended: a. that there be no change to the fees for this year.

b. that the clubs continue to use the bowling green for all present hours.

c. that the Parish Council negotiate with the bowling clubs in the Autumn for future fees.

5. PATHWAY TO BOWLING GREEN:

The Clerk reported that the contractor who had provided a quotation for £1,600 to repair the pathway at the bowling green could no longer do the work. She reported that she was arranging to get a quotation from the contractors who had completed the resurfacing of the car park a few years ago. This would be done once the new boards were in place.

Resolved: that the report be noted.

6. HOLIDAY COVER FOR GATE LOCKING AT CHEMISTRY PITS

PLAY AREA:

The Clerk informed Members that at present the gates were locked all year round but that this involved paying for holiday cover. She asked Members if they wanted this to continue or that the gates be left unlocked for five weeks each year.

Resolved: that holiday cover continue to be paid so that the gates are locked all year round.

7. ENHANCEMENT OF WILDLIFE AREA AT CHEMISTRY PITS PLAY

AREA:

The Clerk reported that the Agreement had now been signed with regard to the Commuted Sums from the City Council to pay for the enhancement works at the Wildlife Area. She also reported that some planting works had already been done and that a meeting had been arranged with the contractor and City Council to discuss the rest of the planting works.

8. PAVILION:

The Clerk reported that she was still awaiting costs to each of the available options on the future of the Pavilion, that one Grant Application had been sent off and that the other one would be submitted over the next week. The Clerk reported that she should have all the figures by the meeting on 16^th April 2007 and that a Special Meeting has been arranged for 6.30pm on Tuesday 8^th May 2007 with Urban Hope to fully discuss all the options.

9. CORRESPONDENCE:

No correspondence was received.

10. DATE OF NEXT MEETING:

Resolved: to be decided at the next Parish Council meeting.