Minutes of the meeting of the Recreation and Leisure Committee

held in The Stevenson Centre on Monday 25^th September 2006

Present        Councillors      M.Fryer                                                Chairman

                                                Mrs.C.J.Baker                                                          

                                                P.K.Beer

                                                N. MacMaster

                                                N.H.T. Proctor

                                                H.N.Todd (substitute for R.Sims)            

                                                D.R.G.Thomas

            Council Manager       M.J. Fitt

            Clerical Assistant      Mrs.N.C.Tamlyn

1)  Apologies and Substitutions

      Apologies were received from Councillors A.C.Bavington and R.R.Sims

2)   Declarations of Interest, Gifts or Hospitality

      Cllr.P.K.Beer declared a personal interest with regards to his

      membership of Sudbury Town Council, Babergh District Council and

      Suffolk County Council.

3)   Further advice on Blackhouse Lane Lease 

       The Council Chairman and Vice-Chairman, Chairman of Recreation & Leisure

        and the Council Manager had attended a meeting with the Council’s Solicitor

        on Thursday 21^st September 2006.

       The background to the case was discussed and it was agreed that the

       Solicitor would draw up an amended lease, taking into consideration the

       points raised and that the same members would meet with the solicitor in

       approx. 3 weeks time to review the proposed lease. The matter would then be

       discussed at the October R & L Committee meeting with a recommendation 

       to be put to full Council by the November meeting. 

 4)  Report R1: Youth Shelter      

      It was AGREED to accept the recommendations and to RECOMMEND to full

      Council    

i)        That the Council install a Youth Shelter on the Recreation Ground.

ii)   That the Shelter is a ‘Trojan’ purchased from Base Leisure.

iii)  That the capital sum of £4,500 put aside for recreation equipment,

             together with £500 transferred from the sum put aside for Youth Projects

             are utilised for the purchase and installation costs.

The Council Manager advised that he would be submitting a grant application to BDC for the shelter and if successful this could contribute up to 50% towards the cost and that there is also, a possibility of receiving £1000 from the County Councillor’s locality budget as well. Any capital money remaining, would go towards new play equipment on the Hedgerows estate, which would be the Council’s next project. 

AGREED to use the local press and the members of the Youth Strategy committee to highlight awareness of the shelter and its purpose.

5)  Correspondence            

      a)            Gt.Cornard Bowls Club: Concern about lighting

The Council Manager reported that work had been carried out to remove a post and that the two streetlights in the car park are to have photocells installed. This will ensure that the lights come on from dusk till dawn, thus resolving most of the issues raised. AGREED the Council Manager to correspond with their Chairman accordingly.

      b) Resident of Hedgerows: Play Area Problems

          The Council Manager to respond, stating that specification changes since

           the equipments installation and financial restraints had added to the delay

           in repairing the equipment. However, some repairs would be carried out

           before the end of this financial year. Also, any capital sum remaining from

           this financial year and a capital sum set aside for next year would mean

           that some new equipment could be installed sometime next year.

            AGREED that the second gate to the play area be unlocked.               

6)  Items Brought Forward

      a)            Country Park Review

           A meeting was held in August and the possibility of planting an orchard

           was discussed. The Council Manager reported that he had approached

           Brogdale Plant Centre who would be willing to visit the site and make

           some recommendations.

Meeting closed at 8.20pm