Minutes of a meeting of the PROPERTY COMMITTEE, Arlesey Town Council held in the Village Hall, Arlesey on Tuesday 16 November 2010. 

PRESENT:       

            Cllrs:    H Harper (Chairman)                  R Harris

                        Mrs D Archer                            C Howitt

                        N Daniels                                 D West

Mrs C Harris                             V Williams 

Mrs E Hare (Clerk) 

Also present:    Cllr J Caffrey, Cllr D Page and Cllr A White and one member of the public   

373 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Mrs L Bowskill, Cllr I Dalgarno and Cllr Rainbow

374 MEMBERS’ INTEREST

There were no declarations of:

(a) Personal interests received

(b) Prejudicial interests received           

375 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

There was no public participation 

376 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING 

Prior to the meeting Members received a copy of the minutes of the Property Committee meeting held on 19 October 2010. 

RESOLVED

that the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 19 October 2010 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a true record. 

377 MATTERS ARISING

There were no matters arising from the previous meeting

378 VILLAGE HALL

The Chairman gave a monthly report on the Village Hall.  Since the last meeting one of the ground staff had sanded the edge of the stage and re-varnished it.

A discussion took place on the safety of the stage steps as some members of the Toddler Group were lifting the steps on to the stage themselves.  The Clerk said she was concerned about the health and safety aspect.  It was proposed to find an alternative solution so that the steps can be stored safely when the group use the village hall. 

The Chairman proposed that during the winter months the ground staff could decorate the hall.

The Clerk reported a cleaning audit had taken place.  The cleaning work done by the caretaker was found to be satisfactory.  The CCTV camera attached to the Youth Centre building had come away from the wall fixings.   As the grounds staff were unable to attach the camera back on the building the CCTV contractor was called out. 

RESOLVED

to agree the proposal for decorating the hall

AGREED to note the Clerk’s report 

379 CEMETERY

(a) Monthly inspection report on cemetery grounds

The Chairman reported that he had carried out an inspection of the memorials and three were slightly loose but were not dangerous.

AGREED to note this information

(b) Report on visit to look at hedging plants

The Chairman reported he and Cllr Williams went to Buckingham Nurseries to look at hedging plants.  A quotation was obtained for £602.88 for Quickthorn 3-4ft transplanted (Hawthorn) and Native Hedging transplants which also includes spiral tree guards.

It was proposed to accept the quotation.

RESOLVED

1. to accept the quotation for £602.88

2. funding for the plants to come from reserves

(c) Reed bed update

The Chairman read out details for designing a reed bed.  The Clerk will look into costs for the project.

AGREED to note this information  

380 ALLOTMENTS

Monthly inspection report from the Chairman 

The Chairman reported that he had carried out an inspection of the allotment site and said there was no change from the last meeting.   

AGREED to note this information            

381 MULTI USE GAMES AREA (MUGA)

Monthly report

The Chairman reported that the Clerk has instructed the ground staff to repair the fence and change the padlocks in readiness to secure the car park area.

The Clerk said the ground staff had attempted to get a more secure padlock but so far had been unable to locate one.   

The Chairman reported that he and Cllr Williams will be looking at suitable fencing for the MUGA court area.

AGREED to note this information

382 PROPERTY COMMITTEE BUDGETS FOR 2011/2012

The Chairman said these are the second draft of the Property Committee’s proposed budgets for 2011/2012. The Clerk has made adjustments from the first draft budgets to reduce the overall precept.  He proposed that the Property Committee budgets should be looked at in more depth during the General Purposes & Finance Committee meeting later.

AGREED to look at the proposed second draft Property Committee’s budget for 2011/2012 during the General Purpose & Finance Committee meeting 

383 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

A schedule for the October/November accounts due for payment was presented to Members for approval.

CEMETERY

Shanks                              Refuse collection                                                70.13

M Rainbow                         Cuts 16, 17 & 18                                               300.00

M Rainbow                         Phase 2 & strim ditches cut 4                             165.00

Anglian Water                    Water rates                                                         39.04

Brookers                            Varnish for arbours                                                9.99             

VILLAGE HALL

Brookers                            Materials to repair stage                                       26.04

CBC                                   Apportionment 6 month charge                         4,192.53

MUGA

Anglian Water                    Water rates                                                          95.37

EON                                  Electricity                                                          159.12

ALLOTMENTS

Anglian Water                     Water rates                                                         74.90

CBC                                   Quarterly rental                                                   48.75 

RESOLVED

that these accounts be paid 

384 ANY OTHER ITEMS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY

None

                                                                                                            CHAIRMAN                                                                                

Date