Minutes Town Council Parks Committee - Tuesday 18th April 2011

Minutes Town Council Parks Committee - Tuesday 18th April 2011

Tuesday, 27 September 2011 20:28

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Minutes of Okehampton Town Council Parks Committee Meeting held on Monday 18th April 2011in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Fore Street, Okehampton at 7 pm

 

 

Committee Members Present :    Councillor Mrs C Marsh (Chair)

                                                            Councillor K Ball

                                                            Councillor Dr M Ireland

                                                            Councillor C Letchford

                                                            Councillor D Weekes

                                                            Councillor Mrs K Bickley (Chair, Planning)

                                                            Councillor A Leech (Chair Property)

                                                                                                                       

Other Members Present :                 Councillor M Davies

                                                            Councillor P Vachon

 

In Attendance :                                  Mrs J Gillard (Deputising for Town Clerk)

                                                           

605.     Apologies for Absence – An apology for absence was presented on behalf of Councillor Mrs M McDonald.

 

606.     Deferment of Business– (for comment by the public) – One member of the public (Mr R Flexman) was in attendance.  Mr Flexman expressed the need to progress a campaign of education in an effort to reduce the amount of Dog Poo and Litter.  The problem was profuse and needed to be addressed strongly.

 

607.     Members’ Questions – There were no questions from Members regarding the workings of the Committee.

 

608.     Minutes– The minutes of the Parks Committee meeting held on 21 February 2011 were approved and signed by the Chair on the proposition of Councillor C Letchford, seconded by Councillor D Weekes.

 

609.     Matters Arising–

 

609.1  Dog Poo Bins/Litter – Members expressed concern about the amount of Dog Poo and Litter there was in the area and particularly the Park.  Various options of ways of education and enforcement were discussed and it was suggested by Councillor Bickley to build an education campaign via the schools, local forums, posters and newspapers etc using the Children’s Centre and mothers of young children to assist.  Councillor Bickley agreed to investigate the legal aspects of The Council employing a part time Enforcement Officer including the question of which Authority receives the funds received from fines issued.  Members were all in favour.

 

Standing Orders were then suspended by The Chair.

Mr Flexman addressed the Members expressing concern over the recent dog attack in Simmons Park.  Although a serious incident, he stated there should not be an over reaction as there were already Bye Laws in existence covering this type of event and that these events happened very rarely.

 

Members agreed to return to Standing Orders.

           

609.2   Simmons Memorial – Councillor Leech advised that the necessary permissions to make the repairs had been obtained and that he would progress these repairs after Easter.  A separate permission would be needed if the memorial were to be replaced.

 

609.3   Rotary Club Shelter – The Chair advised little progress had been made.  The designs made by the School Children were appropriate for a shelter at the School but not the Park.  Councillor Ball suggested going back to the Children with a view to extending the original project to come up with a suitable design for the Park.  All Members were in agreement.

 

609.4   OCRA Land Development – Construction of Pavilion – The Chair advised the necessary legal procedures were now underway with the footprint of the land.

 

609.5   WDBC Public Toilet Strategy –The Chair advised this was discussed at the recent West Devon/Okehampton Consultative Liaison meeting, minutes distributed previously.  At the suggestion of Councillor Leech it was agreed by Members to take no further action at this stage and to wait for the Localism Bill to be implemented to see what effects this may have on the way forward.

 

609.6   Parklands –The Chair reported on the Users’ Meeting.  The inflatable was too wide for the pool and had therefore been removed on Health and Safety grounds and the issues with the moveable floor had been dealt with.

 

610.     Dog Attack in Simmons Park– A 13 year old child had recently been bitten by a dog in the park.  Members referred to the previous discussions in item 609.1 earlier in the meeting, this was a serious issue and bye laws were already in place.  The Chair suggested the education required for this issue could be linked with the earlier item and those agreed actions cover this also.  Members were all in agreement.

 

611.     PlayEquipment Simmons Park – The Chair advised one small child had recently cut their leg and another their finger on the exercise equipment, the equipment was not meant for use by small children.  Councillor Leech advised the Members that the Hammock was damaged and had not been covered or taken out of use.  The Chair advised she would investigate further.

 

612.     Parklands Opening Hours – The Chair advised the changes to the opening hours were being revised.  The original consultation was not undertaken correctly therefore the changes revised giving more early morning opening, changes to be effective from 3rd May.

 

613.     Clapps Wood– The Chair advised the path is complete and the fencing to be erected this month by volunteers.  Further tree surgery work had also been undertaken.  An official opening would be arranged.

 

614.     Signage – The Chair reported additional Public Toilet signs were needed, the wall by the Play Area could have a sign re Dog Poo and Keeping Dogs Under Control.  She suggested a further long flag sign by the Band Stand advertising the Putting with splitting the costs with the Leisure Centre.  A banner advertising the Tennis was being put up over the Cafeteria area by Leisure Connections and it was suggested to put a further stand-up sign there promoting other sports, to be discussed with the Sports Centre in order to promote our sports facilities.

 

615.     SimmonsParkBrochure– The Chair suggested the dog picture be replaced with a dog owner with a dog on a lead.  Members were all in agreement which of the 2 versions of the brochure was preferred, the one with the red lettering.  Councillor Bickley suggested the pictures on the inside of the brochure should include people and activities.  Councillor Leech said there was a need for a Corporate Identity for all Town Council brochures, it was agreed ‘the swirl’ be incorporated in to the preferred design and the same Council logo be used in all brochures. 

 

616.     River Pollution– The pollution was caused by an issue in Station Road with a sewer pipe.  This pipe has now been replaced and South West Water are to clean the river prior to the Duck Race.

 

617.     Sport Relief Mile– A request has been received to hold this event in the park on 25 March 2012.  All Members were in agreement this event could take place again.

 

618.     SimmonsParkPutting– The Chair suggested no changes to the charges be made, Members were all in agreement with this.

 

619.     Complaints– Councillor Leech advised there had been broken glass by the shelter and children’s play area also questioned if the gate from the play area required a catch.

 

620.     Members Reports

OCRA – the Chair advised there had been a meeting discussing raising funds for the sports hub; one idea was a run like the sport relief mile.

DartmoorRescue – Councillor Ireland advised the AGM had taken place and a new structure was now in place to improve the efficiency of running the team.