29 January 2013 – Minutes
THAME TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of a Meeting of the Culture, Leisure & Recreation Committee held on 29 January 2013 at 7.30pm in the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall.
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Present:
Cllrs N G Champken-Woods (Town Mayor), N M Dixon (Chairman), M L Dyer, A Gunn, V F Humphries, P Lambert (Deputy Mayor), D A Laver and M Stiles (Vice Chairman).
Non-Voting
Cllr A Dite
Officers
Mrs H Stewart, Town Clerk
Mrs A Oughton, Committee Services Officer
Mrs C Pinnells, Community Services Manager
Mr R Goss, Project Officer
1 Apologies for Absence
An apology for absence was received from Cllr Bretherton (SODC).
2 Declarations of Interest
Cllr Stiles declared an interest in Item 13 Carnival as a trustee of Thomley Activity Centre and did not take part in discussion during this item.
3 Public Participation
There were no applications to address the Committee.
4 Minutes
The Minutes of the Culture, Leisure & Recreation Committee meeting held on 13 November 2012 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
5 Budget / Finance Summary
Members received the budget summary up to 31 December 2012. A full set of the accounts were available for Members to view at the meeting. It was noted the percentage on balances up to 31 December 2012 should read 74.9%.
6 Service Priorities
The Members noted the progress on the Service Priorities. Discussion on setting new priorities will be taken to the Informal Council meeting on 12 March 2013.
7 Verbal Reports from Town Council Representatives on Outside Bodies
a) Cuttle Brook Management Committee – Cllr Laver had attended a recent management meeting at which plans to go ahead with the new bridge were discussed. Funding is in place and work is scheduled to start May/June. It is hoped to only close the bridge to the public for a couple of weeks as the majority of the work will be done off site before installation. It was noted the drainage work that had taken place had been effective during the recent wet weather, although the Brook at burst its banks the water level had receded quickly.
b) Leisure Centre Management Committee – Cllr Stiles reported a management meeting had not taken place and minutes not received from the previous meeting. There was concern regarding the ongoing problems with the air conditioning in the old dance studio.
c) Carnival Committee – The Carnival will take place on 15 June 2013, the theme will be Musicals.
d) Football Partnership – Cllr Dyer had attended a meeting in December and the AGM held last Friday. A lot of matches had been cancelled due to the bad weather. The Football Club will make a presentation to Council next Tuesday 5 February 2013.
e) Twinning Association – Cllr Humphries reported there had been a very successful ‘Movie Night’. It is planned to visit Greenwich whilst the party from Montesson are in the UK. A quiz night was planned to raise funds.
f) Cricket Club- Cllr Butler was not present to give a report but an Officer informed the Committee that the design for the new sign would be discussed at the Planning & Environment Committee meeting on 5 February 2013.
g) Chinnor RFC – Cllr Gunn reported the team was currently 7th in the League. The club had hosted a group of young players from the townships in South Africa. Plans for the 50th anniversary celebrations were well underway and Cllr Gunn was due to attend a meeting tomorrow evening.
8 Churchill Crescent
In accordance with other play areas managed by the Council a management plan had been produced for the Churchill Crescent play area to cover the period 2013-2018.
RESOLVED:
i) That the Churchill Crescent Recreation Area 5 year Management Plan be approved.
9 Millennium Circle
Discussion took place on the proposal to install a circular planter with seating on the Millennium Circle. Members were pleased that 13 years on from the Millennium something was going to be installed. The proposed planter would stop the illegal parking thathas recently started on the circle.
RESOLVED:
i) That a circular planter be installed on the Millennium Circle.
ii) That Full Council be recommended that the cost of £3580 be sought from sponsorship or grants but if unsuccessful it be met from the Capital Rolling Fund.
10 Elm Park Boundary to 77 Park Street
The recent bad weather had caused major damage to the panel fence resulting in the request for it to be replaced. It was planned to carry out planting in front of the new fence to provide added protection.
RESOLVED:
i) That the boundary fence with 77 Park Street be replaced at a cost of £697.
ii) That Full Council be recommended that the fence be s funded from the General Reserve.
11 Stones Close Allotments
Following the recent annual inspection the site plan had been updated with minor changes to the plot sizes and the addition of 4 new plots. The Stone Close Allotments had a strong membership and continued to thrive.
RESOLVED:
i) That the rent be retained at £300 for the financial year 2013-14.
ii) That the inspection report be noted.
12 Maintenance Team Report
The gritting that had taken place during the recent period of snow and ice had been well received by residents. The Council would look to increasing the spreading area to take in pavements surrounding Sharman Beer and the route through to the shops. The activity had enabled the Council to assess the amount of grit used and the time taken to cover the planned areas thus providing valuable information for future planning and funding.
The cricket ground boundary fence which had been removed during the recent sewer works would be reinstated with an iron type fence in the next couple of months.
13 Carnival
Following discussion the Committee agreed that three local charities, Thomley Activity Centre, Sharing Life Trust and Safari each receive a £700 donation from money raised at the 2012 event as recommended by the Carnival Committee.
RESOLVED:
i) That the donation be made to three local charities recommended by the Carnival Committee.
The meeting concluded at 8.14pm
Signed: ………………………….
Chairman, 19 March 2013