Minutes of a meeting of the Parks Committee

Held in The Mayor's Parlour, Civic Centre, New Street, Stourport-on-Severn at 1pm on Tuesday 28 January 2020

Present:

Councillors: D Russell (Chairman);  Mrs V M Higgs; D Little; G Talbot

Observer: Councillor K Henderson

Officers: Mrs S Saunders (Town Clerk); G Shaw (Treasurer) 

1. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

Councillor D Russell was proposed and seconded for Chairman of the Parks Committee and this was agreed.

2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

There were no apologies for absence.

3. MINUTES 

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 28th March 2019 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 

4.      DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

None.

 5.      TREASURERS REPORT

The Treasurer took Members through the report and referred to the budget appendices.  Members were advised that money was to be budgeted for another wildflower meadow to be planted in the War Memorial Park.  It was hoped that some divisional money could be received from the two Stourport County Councillors. 
 
The Town Clerk advised that the present manager at The Kingsway allotment had given notice to finish at the end of March 2020.  An advert had been placed at the allotments and interest had been received and this would be followed up.
 
Members agreed the following:
 
Increase ‘headline’ fees for the cemetery from £720 to £800 with effect from 1st April 2020.
 
The Parks & Cemetery Manager to obtain quotes for the repair of the roof on the bandstand.
 
An extra £2,000 be put in the budget for extra works should they be required.
 
The Town Clerk to look into the option of a new member of staff to take over the maintenance of the Riverside paddling pool.
 

The treasurer was thanked for his informative report.


 6.      OPENING OF TOILETS IN MEMORIAL PARK

The Town Clerk advised a request had been received for the toilets in the memorial park to be open for longer hours in the summer.  It was agreed that the Parks & Cemetery Manager would speak to the current member of staff who locks the toilets to extend the hours to between 6pm – 7pm on possibly a Friday and Saturday in the summer months.


 7.      NEW BENCH INMEMORIAL PARK

The Town Clerk reported that a request had been received from the local walking group “Best Foot Forward” for a bench to be installed in the Memorial Park, in memory of some of their members.  Members agreed this was acceptable and the Town Clerk would contact the group.


 8.      ANY OTHER BUSINESS

A Member asked about the grass cutting around the scout hut in the memorial park.  It was agreed that the Parks & Cemetery Manager and Councillor D Russell would meet with D. McCauley from the Scout Group to look at the area.
 
An issue had been raised about flooding around the side of Areley Kings Village Hall after heavy rainfall.  After a discussion, it was agreed that no action was needed.
 
The meeting closed at 1.37pm.