Meeting of the Playing
Fields Committee of the
Present: Cllr Jean Evans
(Chairman), Cllr. Gerald Grant, Cllr Patricia Lott, Cllr, Phil Pearn, Cllr Robert Thompson, Cllr Liz Warrington.
Also present: Sally Buttifant,
Area Facilitator,
Rebecca Imber,
Area Facilitator,
Howard Jennings, Local Resident
Cllr Peter Griffiths
1. APOLOGIES:
Apologies
were received from Cllr Bryan Smith, Cllr Gill Jordan and Cllr Caroline Mosley.
2. TO ELECT A CHAIRMAN:
Cllr
Robert Thompson moved that Cllr Jean Evans be elected Chairman of the Committee, this was seconded by Cllr Gerald Grant. No further nominations were received.
Resolved: that Cllr Jean Evans be elected Chairman of the
Committee for the ensuing year.
3 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
No
declarations were received.
4. REPORT ON PLAY AREAS:
The
Clerk reported that there were very few problems with the play areas and that
in fact there appeared to be a further improvement in grounds maintenance.
The
areas that required attention were:
Chemistry Pits required
mowing and strimming.
The edges and gullies of
the
Weeds
to the rear of the tennis courts.
She
reported that she had asked the contractor to attend to these.
The
Clerk also reported that she had had to arrange for the roof of the Pavilion
above the hallway and the ladies changing rooms to be repaired due to a leak
and also the drains in the ladies toilet to be unblocked
Resolved: that the report be noted.
5. CHEMISTRY PITS PLAY AREA:
The
Clerk reported that BTCV were going to work at the play area next Tuesday to
adjust the pathway to alleviate flooding problems and also to tidy the wildlife
area. She also reported that BTCV were
willing to enter into a maintenance contract to keep the wildlife area tidy
with three half day visits each year at a cost of £330.
The
Clerk reported that local residents who got involved in maintenance of the area
were covered by the Parish Council’s insurance so long as they did not use
power tools. If local residents wished
to be further involved BTCV were willing for them to sign up as volunteers to
be covered under their insurance.
Cllr
Phil Pearn expressed the view that if the Parish
Council entered into a maintenance contract with BTCV they should assure
themselves that there would be adequate supervision of volunteers following
problems with the recent tree planting.
Rebecca Imber reported that Cheshire Wildlife
Trust may also be able to help in this area.
Cllr
Peter Griffiths told the meeting that he thought that
the wildlife area should be scrapped and just to leave the field as grass. The Chairman and other Members felt that the
area needed a chance and could become an attractive part of the landscape.
Howard
Jennings asked Members how they saw the future of the play area. The Chairman explained that there had been
many problems in the past and that the Parish Council was proceeding very
carefully to ensure that any changes were acceptable to the local community and
that no expensive mistakes were made.
She reported that the locked gates and pathway had been a great success
and that beyond that nothing would be done without consultation of the local
community.
Howard
Jennings said that he felt that the ‘do nothing’ option should be low key
maintenance and to retain the football area.
He also said that he thought local residents should be asked what they
would like to see there. Members
discussed that fact that although the area was used more during recent months
there needed to be something there for people to go for to increase usage.
Cllr
Liz Warrington told Members that she felt there should be some sort of signage
at each entrance to let people know that the area existed. Members agreed that this should be considered
in the future.
Rebecca
Imber reported that she had spoken to the Landscape
Team of Chester City Council who were willing to cast
a professional eye on the area.
The
Chairman said she felt there were three ways of moving forward which were:
1. Have
a meeting with BTCV and Cheshire Wildlife Trust
2. Have
a Committee meeting on site
3. Meet
with the Landscape Team of
Cllr
Phil Pearn told Members that he felt it was important
to retain most of the area for use by young children.
As
any further works to the area would require funding, Members discussed when
they should do a consultation exercise with the local community. The Chairman told Members that she believed
that consultation should take place before a plan was put together. Members agreed but felt that the Parish
Council should be honest and straightforward and explain that not much money
would be available before asking local residents to throw in their ideas.
Resolved: that a meeting be arranged with the Landscape Team of Chester
City Council and that the Clerk contact Cheshire Wildlife Trust.
5. DATE
OF NEXT MEETING:
Resolved: that the date be set at a later date.