WINSCOMBE WAR MEMORIAL GROUND COMMITTEE
Minutes of Meeting held on 22 May 2007 at The Buxton Room, Cricket Club.
Committee Members
Hugh Fountain Chairman Parish Council Representatives
Maurice Philips Football Club Steve Bridges
Doc Davies Cricket Club Archie Forbes
Trudie Lynham Hockey Club Chris Sampson Ex Officio - PC Chairman
Ann Harley Village Representative Mike Williamson PC & Treasurer
Margaret Ballard Village Representative John Westlake
Robert Bird Village Representative George Furniss ó Co-opted members as
Dave Hucker Village Representative Jason Schofield í Changing Rooms
Trevor Jennings Secretary/Treasurer Ken Lunn î Development Trustees
1) Apologies
Chris Sampson, Margaret Ballard, Dave Hucker.
2) Minutes of meeting held on 20 February 2007 were approved. Unanimously agreed.
3) Consideration of Football Club’s request for Changing Room alterations.
Andy Flint, Chairman of Winscombe AFC explained that the Reserve Team had finished the season second in the league and earned promotion to Somerset Senior League – Division 3. However, new regulations required that new entrants to this league had to meet stringent facility standards (above those of existing teams within the league). This involved separate washing facilities and entrances onto the playing fields for all visiting teams. Although Winscombe facilities were considerably better than many in the league, as a result of a recent inspection, the Reserves had been refused promotion.
The Football Club was going through an appeal process and sought approval in principal from the War Memorial Ground Committee for recommendation to the Parish Council for modifications to the Changing rooms.
The existing internal passage would be blocked off along the football side of the changing rooms to provide two separate ‘Away’ changing rooms each with shower and toilet facilities with new doors exiting onto the side path between the Tractor Shed and the Changing Rooms.
A new entrance onto the playing field for the ‘Home’ Teams would be opened up by moving an internal wall adjacent to the existing showers, with the loss of just one showerhead. (More than counterbalanced by the additional showerheads for the Visitors)
The Committee toured the Changing rooms to view the proposals against plans presented. There was some general discussion.
The Committee was reminded of the strength of WAFC as a Standard Chartered Club with a high level of coaching for the senior and many junior players and had fostered good international relationships through their long-standing twinning with the German Team, playing home and away in alternate years.
The Football Club would seek funding themselves but only once the Appeal to the League was successful.
Proposal from Steve Bridges that the plan presented should be accepted in outline and recommended to the full Parish Council was seconded by Robert Bird and agreed unanimously.
4) Matters arising
1. Drainage scheme postponed. Appeared to have been a change to the water table, possibly resulting form groundwork for cricket nets by the scoreboard, as water does not seem to be running through the centre of the football pitch during recent heavy rain but now travelling along the side of the pitch and across the car park. Could be diverted into existing drain but would observe over coming months once nets completed.
2. Garage oil sump – TJ would obtain price for plastic drip tray. Secty
3. Grass cuttings – Compost container still in changing rooms – Doc Davies to action.
4. Dave Hucker to arrange disposal of yellow spreader long-term parked behind scoreboard. HF to follow up.
5. Disabled toilets at Cricket Club had been completed with ramp currently in progress.
6. ‘No Dogs’ signs now available and awaiting erection by Darren Fairchild of North
Somerset. SB to chase. Dog Warden Tel. No. available from Parish Office TBA
7. Football Screening. Football Club would remain on hold.
8. Shower room floor repair still to be actioned by Padgets. HF
5) Children’s Play Area.
Following the initial vandalism – 3 fires – police action appeared to have resolved the situation.
Various remedial works were outstanding by the contractor, including removal of a concrete base that had been grassed over. Tyres from the old play area had been placed by the Portacabins but should to be removed; also replacement locks for the drop-down bollards required. AF had in hand
6) Changing Rooms.
· Greg Dover had replaced one broken window in changing rooms and had ordered glass to repair second window (within next fortnight).
· Secretary was in correspondence with Bristol Water, trying to obtain credit for ‘Return to Sewerage Water’ lost during leak under changing rooms.
· The legal position regarding the Changing Room Development Trustees was discussed but as there was no documentation at the Parish Office, the situation was unclear. George Furniss confirmed that legal advice had been sought and a document drawn up. He believed papers to have been lodged with Alun George of the Rugby Club and would try to unearth the relevant papers before the next WMGC meeting.
In the meantime, the WMGC would continue to allocate funds as necessary.
7) Pitches & Grounds.
· HF to arrange a site meeting through Richard Banks of Ford Bros to obtain quote for remedial quote to correct levels of the apron. Anticipated as an expensive project that would need building into 2008/9-precept request. HF
· Paul Fountain carried out the annual safety check on the Silver Birch which showed no problems during recent storms. One of the trees by the car park had split at the trunk requiring a limb to be cut off. This should help adjacent trees to gain more light and improve their growth.
· Water check meter would be installed shortly, in attempt to increase non-returned to sewerage water rebate. Secty
8) Health & Safety.
- Second quote being sought from Ian Hawkesbury for PAT testing of all electrical equipment to enable annual contract. HF to follow up – tel. no through LR.
9) Ground Development.
· The Sidcot School Bursar has asked solicitors to draw up a proposal. SB would follow up.
· The Parish Council had registered Title of Ownership of the road from the Vinery. Thanks to John Westlake for his contribution. Copy papers lodged with Secretary.
· Cricket Club nets would be completed within the next 7/10 days. Contractor to repair damage to ground caused by vehicle movements. Doc Davies to liase with CC.
10) Treasurer’s report.
· Mike Williamson was nominated as Treasurer – Proposed Steve Bridges. Seconded Ann Harley. Unanimously agreed.
· TJ would provide MW with Treasurers notes and notify suppliers to address invoices to Parish Office.
11) Constitution.
Document accepted at AGM had been signed following some minor grammatical revisions.
12) Any Other Business
· DD reported leaking roof on Roller Shed (responsibility of Cricket Club) and the Lime Shed (Old Parish Toilet – WMGC responsibility). HF would assist DD to effect repair.
· Maurice Philips to arrange for benches to have their annual painting. HF would try to obtain help from Maurice Wooley to repair woodwork.
· Cricket/Rugby changing room entrance door combination lock code had been changed to 1982.
· Cheddar Valley Press had donated new rubbish bins. One to be placed by cricket nets – other to be placed in safe location away from building to avoid potential fire hazard. HF and DD would kindly empty into the Sita waste bins.
· SB requested that the Cricket Club should re-position the large cupboard in the main changing room. SB to talk to Steve Bawden.
· HF reminded clubs of their responsibility to keep changing rooms in good decoration. Suggested that Rugby & Cricket divided the rooms between them, including referees rooms. Working party to be organised. Paint would be paid from WMGC budget. SB to liase with Pete Searle of the Cricket Club.
· Non-Parish Councillors signed Declarations of Acceptance of the Code of Conduct, to be returned to PC by Secty.
Meeting concluded 2105 hours.
Next Meetings:
Tuesday 21 August 2007 Preceded by Annual Ground Walk
Tuesday 23 October 2007 2007/8 Budget Proposals discussion
Signed
Hugh Fountain Chairman WMGC