Present:
Mr M Bőckle (Chairman) Mr F Alexander, Mr G Bisson, Mr P Boyes,
Mr J Charlesworth and Mr M Rollé.
Clerk to the Council:
Mrs M H Weston
1. Apologies for Absence
An apology for absence was received from Mrs P Wyeth.
2. Declarations of Interest
Mr Bisson declared an interest in Agenda Item 8 – Great Mead.
3. Minutes of Previous Meeting
The Minutes of the Amenities Committee meeting held on 23 July 2008 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate record with one amendment as follows:
Handyman work progress:
RESOLVED: That Mr Charlesworth inspect the completed seats and that further work be awarded as appropriate.
4. Matters Arising
(a) Bulb Planting
The Clerk reported that she had purchased 70kg of daffodils.
Two estimates had been received for planting the bulbs as follows:
Mr P Carter £205.00
Mr A Todd £200.00
RESOLVED: That Mr Todd be awarded the contract for bulb planting and the bulbs would be given to him as soon as possible.
(b) Welcome Signs
The Clerk reported that she had made enquiries regarding this matter but had yet to receive a satisfactory reply. Further enquiries would be made.
5. Opening Address
Mr Bőckle thanked Mr Alexander for all the work he had undertaken on the Amenities Committee’s behalf during the time he had been Chairman and outlined the way he would like to see the Committee run.
He stated that he would be holding meetings in the Community Centre.
6. Budget
(a) Assets
Mr Bőckle outlined the Council’s Amenity assets, particularly seats and bus shelters and produced a comprehensive spreadsheet scheduling all assets and the way he envisaged they should be maintained/replaced in the future.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the Clerk write to New Forest Golf Club informing them that one of the seats on the golf course (Forestry Commission land) was their responsibility and asking them to put in writing that they accepted responsibility for its upkeep and possible replacement when required.
(ii) That copies of the seat schedule by given to Mr Boyes and the Clerk.
(iii) That Mr Boyes be authorised to contact Anthony Todd to obtain an estimate for work required on the seat near The Oak PH at Bank to bring it up to acceptable standard.
(b) Costs/Frequency
Mr Bőckle explained that he wished the Parish Council to manage the Amenities budget on a rolling programme spreading the work so that some was undertaken each year and the budget requirement would then be more evenly spaced over a number of years.
(c) Seats and Shelters
Further explanation was given regarding the seats and bus shelters in the ownership of the Parish Council and the rolling programme of work needed to maintain them in good condition whilst keeping the budget to a reasonable level.
(d) Others
This item concerned such matters as bulb planting and dog bins which were also dealt with by the Amenities Committee and for which a budgetary requirement was necessary.
(e) Finance
RESOLVED: That the following budget request be made to the Finance and General Purposes Committee for the financial year 2009/2010:
| Seats |
£1,490.00 |
| Bus Shelters |
£1,150.00 |
| Bulbs |
£300.00 |
| Dog Bin Emptying |
£800.00 |
| Parish Walk |
£500.00 |
| Noticeboards |
£500.00 |
| Ground Maintenance - Great Mead |
£2,000.00 |
| Total |
£6,740.00 |
7. Parish Walk
Mr Bőckle reported that the Parish Walk was now ready for printing. All signage was on Highway land – none on the open forest.
It was hoped to have an opening ceremony and official “first” walk.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the Clerk write to NFDC, quoting previous communication at which time it had been stated that permission would be granted for a noticeboard in the car park regarding the walk and stating that the Parish Council would now like to action this and reiterating that it was proposed to position it near the “older” public conveniences.
(ii) The Clerk to contact Cath Hart, HCC stating that the walk was almost ready for printing.
(iii) Mr Bőckle to visit HCC to discuss this matter more fully.
(iv) One copy of the Walk to be given to each household in the parish. It was hoped that more copies would be made available in the two public houses that were situated on the route and in a High Street shop and/or visitor centre and these would be accompanied by a box with a £1 suggested donation.
8. Great Mead
Mr Bőckle stated that there were no plans to spend any money at Great Mead until the developer’s contribution of £10,000 had been received from NF NPA.
The Clerk outlined tenders that had been received so far for work that was envisaged as necessary.
The initial work required would be grasscutting (at least 8/10 cuts per year), new path to the lower end of Great Mead, fencing and gate at Gosport Lane end and an unknown factor of a boundary that would be formed one third of the way up Great Mead, possibly using tree trunks supplied by the Forestry Commission.
9. Bus Shelter
The Clerk reported that the Council’s insurance company required that invoices be paid by the Parish Council, whereupon they would endeavour to reclaim costs from the car owners’ insurance companies.
The Parish Council would definitely receive an amount of £1,918.25, this amount being recoverable via our insurance policy.
Cost of the shelter was outlined as follows:
| Initial cost of shelter |
5180.00 |
| Delivery |
570.00 |
| Installation |
1000.00 |
| |
6750.00 |
| VAT |
1181.00 |
| Total cost |
7931.00 |
| Recoverable via insurance policy |
1918.25 |
| Total Cost |
6012.75 |
Concern was expressed that the insurance company were not prepared to pay invoices direct but the Clerk explained that the insurance company were acting according to standard procedure and that as the Parish Council were not replacing “like for like” this also presented difficulties.
10. Any Other Business
Mr Charlesworth felt that the Parish Council should review its Assets Register with particular reference to insurance.
RESOLVED: That this matter be discussed at the next Finance and General Purposes Committee meeting.
Mr Bisson reported that the Village Lights Committee will be holding an official “switching on” ceremony with Charlie Dimmock.
In the absence of any other business the Chairman thanked those present for attending and closed the meeting. |
