Minutes Town Council Parks Committee - Tuesday 31st October 2011
Minutes Town Council Parks Committee - Tuesday 31st October 2011
Wednesday, 11 January 2012 12:26
Minutes of a Meeting of the Okehampton Town Council Parks Committee held on Monday 31 October 2011 in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Okehampton at 7.00 pm
Committee Members Present: Councillor D Weekes (Chair)
Councillor K Ball (Vice Chair)
Councillor Dr M Ireland
Councillor Mrs C Marsh
Councillor J Stockwell
Councillor Mrs M McDonald (Town Mayor)
Councillor P Vachon (Chair, Planning)
Councillor M Davies (Chair, P & R)
Councillor A Leech (Chair, Property)
Other Members Present: Councillor Mrs K Bickley
Councillor Mrs J Goffey
In Attendance: D Bent (Town Clerk)
282. Apologies for Absence - Apologies for absence were presented on behalf of Councillors T Cummings and M Morse.
283. Deferment of Business (for comment by the public) - Mrs Bishop reported apparent drinking under age in Simmons Park after school and during the weekend and questioned what action the Council was taking to resolve this. The Chair advised the Community Enforcement Officer would be alerted and had addressed some of the antisocial behavioural problems in the park. Reference was made to the police application for a Section 30 Order which would allow them to disperse troublemakers. It was concluded a letter be forwarded to the police with a request that PCSO’s investigate and address the problem. It was also agreed the problem of drinking at the bench behind Lidl’s be addressed.
284. Members’ Questions - Councillor Ireland reported he had a number of students who were looking for projects and invited the Committee to identify something to do with the park.
285. Minutes - The minutes of the Parks Committee meeting held on 19 September 2011 were approved and signed by the Chairman on the proposition of Councillor M Ireland, seconded by Councillor A Leech.
286. Matters Arising -
286.1 Simmons’ Grave/Headstone - The Clerk reported estimates had been received for this work and the Committee agreed to discuss this item in part 2.
286.2 Clapps Wood - The Clerk reported he had pursued progress on the completion of this purchase, but without success and appealed to Borough Members to pursue; Councillor Mrs Marsh agreed to undertake this.
286.3 Signage - Members were advised signs relating to dog control, toilets, prohibited access etc had been received and erected; the advertisement sign for the entrance to Simmons Park was subject to planning and had been re-submitted due to location. The Clerk offered a quotation for self-adhesive vinyl signs for fixing to the Typhoon play equipment at a cost of £28 per sign. Members accepted the problems identified with this equipment, limited space to erect signs and agreed to purchase the same. Councillor Marsh reported she would consult with the County Engineer on 1st November relating to brown direction signs for Simmons Park car park and report at a subsequent meeting.
286.4 Street Lighting - The Clerk advised he had asked for quotation for repairs and resiting of these lights from M Harding, but without response. The meeting was advised this documentation had been forwarded to the Borough Council and lost, a copy to be pursued.
286.5 Simmons Park Benches - Councillor Leech reported two benches would be available from the Lions Club, one to be installed in the space fronting the bowling green and the second at a location to be determined. Councillor Mrs McDonald asked for a meeting with the Chair, Mr Vick and the Clerk regarding his offer of a teak bench and Councillor Marsh reported on the history of style of benches used across the park including metal and concrete ends. It was agreed the Clerk consult with D Whitfield and compile a report for the next meeting on the provision of benches, funding etc.
286.6 Dog Fouling - The Clerk reported Mr Manley had attended the park on 9 occasions during September and October and submitted a report of his duties over various days and times of the week. The park-keeper had noted an improvement or reduction in dog fouling, this operation appeared to be working and Members noted success to date; the operation to be reviewed with Mr Manley at the conclusion of 3 months. Members questioned the position regarding enforcement procedure for prosecution through E Kale, to which the Clerk responded in the negative, Members agreed to pursue this together with the Borough Council and report at a subsequent meeting.
286.7 OCRA Sports Pavilion - The Clerk advised a land swap between the County and Town Council would be effected to allow the pavilion to be built on OTC land thereby resulting in a lease between the Town Council and OCRA. It was noted this legal documentation was ongoing and would be submitted to the Committee for endorsement in due course.
286.8 Telephone Kiosk - The meeting was advised signed documentation relating to the transfer of ownership of this kiosk in North Road had been received. The Council was now responsible for maintenance, insurance and liabilities; noted. It was further agreed a competition for its future use might be generated from Council (listed status to be checked).
286.9 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee 2012 - The notes of the working party meeting held on 21 September 2011, a copy of which is attached to the minutes, were circulated and noted.
287. NHS Mammogram Unit - Councillor Leech reported this unit had been located in Mill Road car park, but moved due to vandalism and lack of toilet facilities to Mole Avon car park with the use of their toilets and an adjacent car park. He said this was a long journey with difficult access and suggested in the future the Council offer space in Simmons Park car park. Length of occupation was questioned against other recognised users eg the fair and following discussion and options of using Oaklands Drive, it was agreed to discuss this offer with the National Health Service.
288. Members’ Reports -
(i) Parklands Leisure Centre Users’ Group - meeting 3 November 2011.
(ii) Okehampton Community Recreation Association - meeting 10 November 2011.
(iii) North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Group - Councillor Ireland reported the Mayor would attend an event on 29 November. The group was discussing fund-raising for equipment and had established a fund-raising committee specifically for the new centre.
(iv) Tennis Court Management - meeting 10 November 2011.
(v) Okehampton Community Archive - no report.
289. Devon Games - A letter from S Lord sought authority to use Simmons Park as a base for Devon Games in 2012. He explained Okehampton could offer many sports facilities on one site including extensive car parking and was a spectacular backdrop. On the proposition of Councillor Ball, seconded by Councillor Leech, Members enthusiastically supported this request.
290. Park Brochure - The Clerk submitted a specimen brochure to promote Simmons Park. Members examined the document, noted the omission of a corporate identity with a wish that this be included in future publications and on the proposition of Councillor Vachon, seconded by Councillor Davies, it was resolved that the document be printed subject to a couple of minor amendments.
Meeting closed 8.40 pm.
___________________
Councillor D Weekes
Chairman