10 July 2018 – Minutes
THAME TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of a Meeting of the Community, Leisure & Recreation Committee held on 10 July 2018 at 6.30pm in the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall.
Present: Cllrs N Champken-Woods, P Cowell, M Dyer, L Emery (Deputy Mayor), C Jones, A Midwinter (Town Mayor) and T Wyse
Officers:
G Hunt, Town Clerk
J Howells, Asset Manager
C Pinnells, Community Services Manager
A Oughton, Committee Services Officer
1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence received from Cllrs Butler (Holiday), Dixon (Business), Lambert (Business) and Stiles (Personal).
2. Declarations of Interest and Dispensations
There were no declarations of interest or dispensations.
3. Public Participation and Public Questions
There were no applications to address the Committee.
There were no questions put to the Committee.
4. Minutes
The Minutes of the meetings held on 10 April 2018 and 8 May 2018 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
5. Budget Summary
Members received the budget summary up to 31 May 2018. A full set of the accounts were available for Members to view at the meeting.
6. Reports from Representatives on External Organisations
The reports for external organisations were noted.
With regard to Thame Remembers, Cllr Dyer added the coach trip to the National Arboretum was now fully booked. Tickets for ‘Ten Tommies from Thame’ in November had gone on sale today and were available to purchase via the Thame Players website and Spear Travels.
Cllr Champken-Woods added to the Sinaia report that he would be attending the Sinaia Festival this year.
7. Cricket Club Clubhouse Redevelopment
The report was noted.
The Asset Manager reported that the monthly progress meeting with the contractors had taken place this morning. With regard to the ECB Grant Award (item 10 of the report), the Asset Manager had submitted all the information requested and awaited the response which may take up to 28 days. A cheque from the Welfare Trust had been received and acknowledged with thanks.
Cllr Jones congratulated everyone involved with the project which was expected to be delivered on time and within budget. The clubhouse would be a valuable asset to the community.
8. Open Spaces Working Group
Members noted that the Town Clerk and the Asset Manager have had further discussions on tackling dog fouling. Revised signage is being prepared for the Cuttlebrook Nature Reserve and additional information stickers will be deployed throughout the town.
The Town Clerk said he would be pleased to hear any other suggestions of what might be done in the short term to tackle the problem, and / or identification of any particular hot spots.
9. Themed Markets
Following the success of the World Village Market in April, the Community Services Manager has been approached by the organisers to confirm a date for 2019. Both the French and World Village Markets have been successful in attracting visitors to Thame, increasing footfall and contributing to the local economy.
The suggested dates for holding the markets are, the World Village Market over three days on 5-7 April 2019 and a two day French Market, in the autumn on 25-26 October 2019. The proposed dates did not clash with any other planned town event.
RESOLVED that:
i) The 2019 dates for the World Village Market and French Market be approved.
10. Town Awards
The report was noted. It was suggested a further award category to recognise local employers is added for 2019.
RESOLVED that:
i) A sixth award category to recognise local employers is added to the 2019 Awards, subject to the Town Awards Panel being able to accommodate such an award.
11. Thame Fairs
Members noted the report on the arrangements for the Town Fairs in September and October 2018, and requested continued publicity.
12. Sport in the Street
Members noted that the Town Centre Street Sports Event, part funded by the Town Council, took place on Friday 29 June 2018. It was a very successful event, attended by a number of local sports clubs and members of the community.
13. Maintenance Report
The report was noted. The Asset Manager added that she had arranged to meet the contractor who had cleaned the War Memorial at Moreton to discuss cleaning the War Memorial in Thame. Members expressed their thanks to the Maintenance Team for their hard work, particularly in the very hot weather over the last few weeks
A question was raised as to whether there were plans to mend the fountain in the Memorial Gardens? The Asset Manager replied that a recent problem had been identified with the pond pumps connected with the build-up of silt in each pond. The ponds would need to be drained to remove the silt. However, this would take some planning as the fish contained in the ponds would also need to be removed and stored whilst the work was carried out. A local company would work with the Town Council on costing the project. Work on the fountain would take place at the same time, in the hope that the fountain could become fully functional again.
The meeting concluded at 6.58pm
Signed …………………………..
Chairman, 23 October 2018