AOS March 2022 Minutes

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Market Deeping Town Council - Amenities and Open Spaces Committee

Minutes of a meeting held on Wednesday 16th March 2022 at 6.30 pm at the Town Hall, Market Deeping.

Cllr Broughton presided over Cllr Lester, Cllr Miss Collins, Cllr Shelton and Cllr Mrs Redshaw. The Deputy Clerk was also in attendance.

53.   Chairman’s Welcome

Cllr Broughton welcomed members to the meeting at 6.30pm.  

54.   Apologies for absence 

There were no apologies.

55.   Declarations of Interest under the Localism Act 2011   

There were no declarations of interest.

56.   Minutes of a meeting held on 17th November 2021

It was RESOLVED unanimously to accept the minutes of the meeting as a true and accurate record of the meeting. The Chairman signed the minutes.

57.   Clerk’s Report and update on work of parkkeepers

Members had received a copy of the report prior to the meeting.

John Eve field

 

  • The Glebe field was used for a car boot sale on Sunday 13th March (this was cancelled due to the weather)
  • NKDC Arboriculturist has examined trees
  • Playground repairs have been carried out
  • 10 tonnes of chippings received and logs for use by paddock volunteers

 

Town centre

 

  • The Christmas tree was successfully removed.

 

Clerk’s report

 

  • Research has been carried out into an apprentice Horticulturist. 

 

This is normally a fixed term contract, typically lasting for 12 months to 2 years.  If the Employee is registered with an accredited training provider (College), and is pursuing stated learning outcomes, they will be paid the NMW rate of £4.81 per hour if they are under 19 or in the first year of their training.

 

They will be contracted to you, and are your Employee, although the training provider does have a lot of input into their conditions of work and what they can do.  For example, they may want to do risk assessments before placing the worker starts, and also have regular access to conduct training reviews and meetings.

 

Generally, the hours are limited to something between 30 and 40.  You cannot do less, as they need to be able to achieve their training outcomes, or more, for health and safety reasons.

 

The Clerk has not been able to find a suitable College course to back up the hands-on learning.  The Clerk will telephone Stamford and Peterborough Colleges to find out more information

 

 

  • Public toilets

 

The broken toilet seat and faulty shutter had been reported to SKDC.  Cleaning supplies and slip stop solution had been received from SKDC.

 

A meeting took place on 16th March, with a representative from South Kesteven District Council, Cllr Bob Broughton and Cllr David Shelton.  The Deputy Clerk was also present.

 

  • Pinder’s Circus

 

The Circus cancelled its visit due to issues obtaining Visas as a result of the situation in the Ukraine.

 

Apprentice Horticulturist:  It was agreed that the Clerk should also approach Boston College as they may have suitable courses.

Public toilets: Cllr Broughton outlined the options to either take on the toilets immediately or produce a schedule of works to be carried out before the transfer, however this will delay the transfer of ownership to the Town Council.   It was also discussed that the council could request a sum of money in the region of £5k to carry out the works.  SKDC will provide a list of costs to enable the council to fully consider the transfer and budget implications which will be discussed at the next Full Council meeting.       

58.  Correspondence to be noted and resolved upon    

Correspondence – Amenities & Open Spaces – 16th March 2022

No.

Received from

Date Received

Subject

Committee Response

1.

A resident

16.12.21

Danger to children

To be followed up by the Clerk.

2.

Pinder’s circus

11.1.22

Arriving 28.2.22 and leaving 7.3.22.  Opening to the public 4.3.22 – now cancelled due to VISA issues

Agreed by BB prior to meeting subject to state of field due to timescales

3.

Mrs Michelle Welch

School Bursar of the Aspire Federation

25.1.22

Use of John Eve field 24.3.22

Agreed by BB prior to meeting due to timescales

4.

Fenton’s of Bourne Ltd

23.2.22

Open day invitation – sent to BB

Cllr Broughton confirmed that he would be attending the event.

5

NKDC tree inspections w/c 7.3.22

 

Inspection carried out 9th and 10th March 2022

It was RESOLVED that quotes should be obtained to carry out any necessary tree works identified in the inspection report.

6

A resident

21.2.22

Trees from rectory paddock overhanging garden (email to BB 21.2.22).

The Committee agreed that they will look into this matter as requested by the resident.

7.

A resident

 

Request for sign saying “Keep dogs on lead in Rectory paddock”

The Committee agreed if the sign had been removed a new one would be installed.

 

 

Correspondence to be Acted Upon – Received up to 16th March 2022

No.

Received from

Date Received

Subject

Committee Response

1.

Taylors’s fair. 

 

7.2.22

Wish to arrive Mon 9th May 22.  Open 12,13,14, 15 and 19,20,21 and 22

Leave 22 May ‘22

The Committee approved subject to terms and conditions being met and the state of the field at the time. 

2.

L Gray and Sons

 

Wish to arrive Mon 10th Oct and leave 16th October ‘22

The Committee approved subject to terms and conditions being met and the state of the field at the time. 

3.

NKDC Tree Inspector’s report

16.03.22

Tree Inspector’s Report for Market Deeping

The Committee agreed that quotes should be obtained to carry out any urgent work identified in the report. 

59.   Omega reports: Review of performance to date, budget/expenditure/income

The Clerk had provided members with a report prior to the meeting. Cllr Broughton asked members if there were any comments on the Omega report, and there were none.

60. For members to consider the location of memorial bench at Riverside Park 

It was RESOLVED that a bench would be permitted in the Riverside Park.  Cllr Broughton would arrange to meet with the resident to discuss a suitable location.

61. For members to consider the Christmas lights within Market Deeping 

It was RESOLVED to proceed with a one-year contract from LITE with a view of commencing a tender process for the following years. 
  
62.  For members to consider the Christmas tree for 2022 

Cllr Broughton would like to offer his Christmas Tree for this year.  Cllr Lester also suggested that for future years the council could approach nearby stately homes to enquire if they would be willing to donate a tree.

63. For members to consider the purchase of disease resistant elm trees

It was RESOLVED to purchase two 3-3.5 m disease resistant elm trees. 

64. For members to consider and discuss any points raised in the Open Session

There were none.

65. To consider items for inclusion on the agenda for the next meeting of Amenities and Open spaces committee, to be held at Town Hall Chambers on Wednesday 18th May 2022 at 6.30pm.

•    For members to consider the Christmas light tender process for 2023 and future years
•    For members to consider the purchase of the Christmas tree for 2023 
•    For member to consider applying for Green Flag status for John Eve Park

There being no other business, Cllr Broughton thanked everybody for their attendance and closed the meeting at 7.10 pm.