UPTON BY CHESTER & DISTRICT PARISH COUNCIL

Meeting of the Playing Fields Committee of the Upton by Chester & District Parish Council held on Tuesday 27^th November 2007 at the Pavilion, Wealstone Lane.

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

Cllr Gerald Grant, Cllr Peter Griffiths, Cllr Pat Lott,

Cllr Chris Reeve and Cllr Bryan Smith.

Also present:

Colin Walsh, Captain of the Upton Bowling Club and

Dave Higgins, Secretary of the Upton Bowling Club.

1. APOLOGIES:

Apologies were received from Cllr John Butler, Cllr Gill Jordan Cllr Caroline Mosley and Cllr Jill Houlbrook.

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

No declarations of interest were received.

3. THE FUTURE OF THE BOWLING GREEN:

The Clerk reported to Members on the reduction in bowling fees given to the bowling club last year. The Chairman also reported to members that the Schools Sports Co-ordinator had contacted the Clerk and was keen to arrange to use the bowling green next summer to set up ‘taster sessions’ and ‘inter-school bowling tournaments’ with both primary and high schools in the area. The gentlemen from the Bowling Club said that they did not see a problem with youngsters using the green so long as they were supervised and would in fact welcome this initiative. The Bowling Club accounts were produced to Members which showed that the club just broke even last year and they said that they felt that they would only survive if the fees remained at the lower rate. The Chairman reported that this would be taken into consideration at the Finance Committee meeting when the budget was set.

Members also discussed the condition of the green and the Clerk reported that the City Council were funding a complete overhaul of all bowling greens in Chester and that Upton was also included. She reported that work was taking place during the winter months and that there should be a vast improvement when the green opened in the Spring. The Clerk also reported that the specification for the Bowling Green had not been right for a number of years which had caused the problems and that there may be a change to the specification which could result in higher maintenance charges for the green.

Resolved: that Mr Walsh and Mr Higgins be thanked for attending the meeting and that the matter of the fees be dealt with by the Finance Committee.

4. TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON PLAY AREAS:

The Clerk reported that she had received both the RoSPA yearly report and also the quarterly Operational Inspection Report for the play area at Wealstone Lane. She reported that the area had received 100% in the majority of sections. There were just a few minor jobs to be done like weed removal etc.

The Clerk also reported that the play area, although not yet adopted, at Caughall Road had failed in certain sections. She also reported that the yearly RoSPA report was extremely difficult to understand. Members asked if the Clerk could contact the City Council and ask for a clearer explanation of the reports.

Resolved: that the Clerk contact the City Council with regard to the clarity of the RoSPA reports.

5. LITTLE BIN AND CONCRETE PLINTH AT WEALSTONE LANE:

Cllr Pat Lott reported that she had attended a meeting with Cllr Jill Houlbrook and Russell Kendrick of the City Council to discuss the missing litter bin and the concrete plinth at the teen shelter. She reported that Mr Kendrick had agreed to give a litter bin and felt that it should be attached to the teen shelter. He had also quoted a price for removing the concrete plinth but that this had not yet been received in writing.

Resolved: (a) that the reports be noted.

(b) that the Clerk obtain another quotation for the removal of the concrete plinth..

6. COMMITTEES BUDGET FOR 2008/09:

Members discussed the committee’s budget requirement for 2008/09

Resolved: that the attached budget figures be put to the Finance Committee for consideration.

7. CORRESPONDENCE:

No correspondence was received.

8 . DATE OF NEXT MEETING:

Resolved: that the date be set at the next Parish Council meeting.