Recreation and Environment Committee - Meeting Minutes
Monday 3rd June 2024
Introduction
MINUTES OF THE STOKE POGES RECREATION & ENVIRONMENT MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 3 JUNE 2024 AT 7.30 P.M. IN THE LIONEL RIGBY ROOM AT THE VILLAGE CENTRE, ROGERS LANE, STOKE POGES, SL2 4LP.
Present: Cllr Carter (Chair), Cllr Bagge, Cllr Bassi, Cllr Cox, Cllr Crocker & Cllr Webster
In Attendance: Mrs J Simmonds (Clerk)
Agenda Items
001/RE/24 Election of a Chairman
Cllr Webster proposed Cllr Carter as Chairman for year 24/25 this was seconded by Cllr Bassi, RESOLVED to agree all in favour.
002/RE/24 Election of a Vice Chairman
Cllr Carter proposed Cllr Crocker as Vice Chairman for year 24/25 this was seconded by Cllr Cox,
RESOLVED to agree all in favour.
003/RE/24 Items by Members of Public Present first 15 Minutes.
The meeting is open to the public and press and the first 15 minutes will be reserved, if required, for public
comment.
None
004/RE/24 Apologies for absence.
None
005/RE/24 Declarations of interest
Members to declare any personal interest in any item of business as defined in the Code of Conduct 2012. If that interest is a prejudicial interest as defined in the Code, the Member should withdraw from the meeting for that item.
None
006/RE/24 Minutes
RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the R&E Committee held on 5 February 2024 which were signed by the Chairman.
007/RE/24 Football Bells Hill
Any update and any decisions necessary.
Cllr Carter and the Clerk updated the committee on a recent meeting held with the Football Club Manager.
Generally, all is going fine. The Manager agreed to pay the subs in September and November each year and to
clear out the changing rooms in time for the work scheduled for July/August. It was agreed that the goals can be stored to the left side of the Rec for now, but this can't be a permanent arrangement.
008/RE/24 Nettleship Wood
The only update on Frank Solari field and other paddocks, is that the tap was left purposely on overnight recently, tenant to fit a tap lock.
009/RE/24 Bells Hill and Plough Lane Recreation Grounds
Tennis Club
NOTED a report of blocked sewerage drains has been reported to the Council and asked if we are responsible.
Legals say that the club are responsible for their own drains as part of their lease. The Clerk and Cllr Carter met on site and suggested that they try their insurance company as a start. NOTED that the GIS officer cannot see the drains on their mapping system.
NOTED that to be neighbourly they have been lent the keys to the pavilion to use the toilet facilities in the football changing rooms temporarily until sorted.
Bells Hill
NOTED that the MUGA re-painting is still to be done due to wet ground preventing them going across the recreation ground.
NOTED that the two new benches for Bells Hill have not been fitted yet due to the wet ground preventing them going across the recreation ground, but will be installed very soon.
NOTED that a spillage has taken place into the pond, Clerk has reported it to the Environment Agency, Environmental Health, Highways and Enforcement. Clerk to chase reports.
NOTED that broken fencing belonging to the PC needs to be removed and replaced in order for a neighbouring
resident to be able to replace his fence and cut back any over growing foliage. DISCUSSED whether to remove all the broken fencing along the entrance to the recreation ground and replace it with permanent marker posts and wire which define our boundary with the neighbour. This is dependent on the neighbour engaging with our fencing contractor to remove all their undergrowth and have new fencing erected on their boundary.
RESOLVED to agree by all that permission be given to do the work so long as we are able to be on site at the same time to ensure that we have our fence line markers put in the right place. Clerk to liaise with the resident.
Plough Lane
NOTED that 1st July is the start date to install the jogging trail once planning permission has been granted.
NOTED that our grass cutting contractor had reported that Plough Lane had the worst dog fouling that they see anywhere else. To be reported in the next Stoke Poges Newsletter.
010/RE/24 Pavilion
NOTED that the maintenance work on the pavilion will be taking place from 22 July 2024.
NOTED that a quote has been requested to clear the back of the pavilion, removing some self-seeded saplings and clearing any invasive brambles, ivy and nettles. To also prune back a mature tree and crown lift the lower branches and generally tidy the whole area. AGREED by all this would be carried out under maintenance.
011/RE/24 Allotments
Cllr Cox reported that we had strimmed and covered most of the empty plots as previously agreed on the allotments. In the past couple of weeks several plots have been re-let and only three remain vacant. Some plots are still not being worked and those holders have been written too.
012/RE/24 Bells Hill Green
NOTED and confirmed current annual contract works from Progress Services for Bells Hill Green. Cllr Webster proposed to add weedkilling along Bells Hill for £70 pa, this was seconded by Cllr Cox, RESOLVED to agree all in favour. Cllr Bagge proposed the additional annual works to trees on the Green, £200 per annum plus materials £400 to be taken from the grant money, this was seconded by Cllr Cox, RESOLVED to agree all in favour.
013/RE/24 – Footpath Maintenance and additional Annual works.
NOTED and confirmed current annual contracts from Progress Services for other works, Cllr Carter proposed to continue with this annually, this was seconded by Cllr Webster, RESOLVED to agree all in favour.
014/PC/24 – Sefton Paddock
NOTED request from a resident to clear the overgrowing brambles to the area to the left of the entrance. This area is either the responsibility of Buckinghamshire Council or L&Q Housing. AGREED by all that this is not within the Parish Councils remit or permission and that a report to fix my street is required by the residents, or they could set up their own working party to deal with the area themselves. Clerk to write back.
015/RE/24 Carols on the Green
Cllr Carter reported that this time of year all of the stall holders are contacted, and legal paperwork starts to
happen.
It was decided to obtain a Christmas Tree this year from the same company as last year, and ask Progress Services to install and remove it again. Cllr Bagge proposed to accept the quote for the tree of £595.00 from the same company as last year, and the quote from Progress Services to install and remove the tree for £470.00, this was seconded by Cllr Cox, RESOLVED to agree all in favour.
Cllr Bagge proposed to accept the quote for the Christmas Lights but exclude the projector, this was seconded by Cllr Webster, RESOLVED to agree all in favour.
016/RE/24 Litter Picking
NOTED next litter picking dates is:
SATURDAY 13 July 2024 - 10AM-12NOON
017/RE/24 – NOTED Date of next meeting: - 28 October 2024
Meeting ended 8.38pm.