Clerk: Mrs. L Rampton

Parish Council Office,

Winscombe Community Centre,

11 Sandford Road, Winscombe,

North Somerset BS25 1JA

Tel: 01934 844257   Fax: 01934 844292

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A meeting of the Play Area & Skate Park Committee was held on

Monday 11th October 2010, at 8.15 p.m, The Amesbury Room, Winscombe Community Centre

 

 

Committee Members Present:    Cllr. A Brading (chairman) (ABr), Cllr. Archie Forbes (AF),    

        Cllr. A Richmond (AR)

 

Assistant Clerk:                             Mrs Nina Flint

Members of the public:                None                               

 

 

1.             To elect a Committee Chairman and to receive the Chairman’s Declaration of Acceptance of Office

It was resolved that this committee APPROVED Cllr. A Brading (ABr) as Chairman and The Declaration of Acceptance of Office was duly signed and received by the Assistant Clerk.

Proposed:        Cllr. A Forbes                                                Seconded:     Cllr. A Richmond

All in favour

 

2.             To elect a Committee Vice-Chairman and to receive the Vice-Chairman’s Declaration of Acceptance of Office. – No nominations were received.

 

3.             To receive Apologies for Absence –

          Cllr. P Cram (PC), Cllr. G Luckett (GLu), Cllr. V McGann (VM)

 

4.             Declaration of Interest – None Received

 

5.             Update of the minutes of the last meeting, dated 17th May 2010:

The Skate Park surrounding fence has been painted by the offenders who defaced the play equipment.  All other updates are included as Agenda Items

 

6.             Public Participation: A maximum time limit of 15 minutes will be allowed for a session open to the Public to present comments, observations, information, petitions or lead deputations and is the only time members of the public may participate during the meeting.  Parishioners may submit a written script of speeches made to the Clerk. –  None

 

7.             Financial Update - A detailed committee statement showing actual expenditure against budget for the financial year 2010/11 was handed to committee members.  Payments have been seen and approved by councillors on Bills for Payments at monthly Parish Council Meetings..

 

8.             To discuss contribution towards purchase of strimmer for Pay-Back Team

Cllr. M Williamson is asking the four committees who use the ‘Pay-back-team’ to contribute one quarter of

 the net amount  towards the purchase of a strimmer for the ‘Pay-back-team.

It was UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED that this committee would contribute one quarter of the net amount

 towards the purchase of a strimmer for the ‘Pay-back-team.

 

9.             Winnowing End Play Area:

(a) – To discuss Playbuilder Update

The Chair explained that whilst the new play equipment had been installed there were still a few areas causing the committee concern.  The 2 original plastic baby swings which were to be transferred to the junior swing area have been replaced by North Somerset Council  with 2 black rubber baby swings which when touched leave black marks and perished rubber on the user.  This was considered  a health & safety issue which needs to be rectified immediately.  The installation of the wooden picnic bench is still outstanding. 

It was resolved unanimously that the Assistant Clerk write to Gail Smith at North Somerset Council with the committees concerns..  . 

 

 

(b) – To discuss post installation inspection & transfer of play equipment to Parish Council

The post installation inspection and transfer of Playbuilder play equipment to the Parish Council has not yet been carried out despite several reminders.. 

It was resolved unanimously that the Assistant Clerk writes again to Gail Smith and James Foster at North Somerset Council to establish when the post installation will be carried out.  This needs to be rectified before ownership is transferred to the Parish Council.

(c) – To discuss seating.

Parishioners who use the play area have commented on the lack of seating in the vicinity.  A Playbuilder wooden picnic bench has been promised and should be installed in the near future.  The concrete seating area at the front right hand side of the play area requires painting and rendering with the surrounding ground area being cleared and tidied up.  It was agreed that this should be carried out as soon as possible.  .

(d) – To discuss continued improvement of play area & equipment

Comments were made concerning the dogs barking on the land adjacent to the play area and after consultation with the Parish Council’s Health & Safety Advisor, it was confirmed that the fence which separates the two pieces of land – ‘is secure and stands approximately 7ft high’.  It was agreed that the fence, whilst not Parish Council property, would be monitored and checked on a regular basis and included on the Parish Council weekly play area inspection sheet..  

The self-closure mechanism on the gate requires adjusting and a new rubber buffer needs to be fitted as the spring is broken at one end. 

 

10.         WMRG Play Area

(a) – To discuss continued improvement of play area & equipment

The snake seat is extremely popular with both children and adults alike.

Consideration should be given to updating the skate park but it was appreciated that finances could be restricted in view of the current economic climate..

 

11.         To review level of insurance cover

Further clarification is needed on the policy details, particularly surrounding the type of replacement cover that they offer.  It was also suggested that a Risk Assessor on behalf of the insurance company reports on the site prior to the ownership of the equipment being transferred to the Parish Council.

It was resolved unanimously that the Assistant Clerk investigates.

 

12.         To review current Risk Assessment:

The 2009/10 Play Area & Skate Park Risk Assessment Form  was handed to committee members.  The following addition was agreed:

(1) – Play Equipment (various) - Insert ‘Monthly inspections by competent person’ in columns (a) Optional Controls & (b) Our Controls

(2) – Defective Equipment (injury) – Insert ‘Monthly inspections by competent person’ in column (a) Our Controls

 

13.         To consider Precept Request for the Financial Year 2011/12

A request of £2500 will be submitted to the Parish Council together with a detailed breakdown.

 

14.         To agree timing and number of meetings in 2011

The committee felt that the current schedule of meetings was sufficient for the coming year.

 

15.         Information – either points of information or subjects for discussion at next meeting

None

 

16.         Date of Next Meeting:                                                   TBA

 

        

         Meeting Closed:                      9.15 p.m.

         Minutes: NF          Checked:ABr

 

 

        

         Signed …………………………………………(Play Area & Skate Park Committee Chairman)   Date