Minutes of a Meeting of the Leisure Committee meeting held in the Council Offices, Kennelwood House, Town Centre, Hatfield on Wednesday 6 October 2004 at 7:30pm.

PRESENT:

COUNCILLOR N. ATKINSON (VICE-CHAIRMAN IN THE CHAIR) COUNCILLORS: M.CLARK, C. CROFT, M. GILDING MRS. H. LAMING, H. MORGAN, MRS L. MENDEZ, R. SMITH, G. WILTSHIRE
ALSO PRESENT: OFFICERS PRESENT:
COUNCILLOR MRS. M. WHITE P.C. CLARK (TOWN CLERK) P. WIDDICOMBE (DEPUTY TOWN CLERK) M. SPEDDY (LEISURE SERVICES MANAGER)
APOLOGIES Apologies for absence were received from Councillor OBrien
MINUTES The Minutes of the Meeting held on 11 August 2004 were approved and signed by the Chairman.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Councillor Gilding declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 7(b) Other play areas within Wimpey developments as he had purchased a property from Wimpey.
NEWGATE STREET VILLAGE HALL The Committee received and noted the report of the Town Clerk.
ROE HILL HALL AND PLAYING FIELDS - SECURITY The Committee considered the report of the Town Clerk and noted the progress being made with regard to the building. The Committee discussed the possibilities of improving fencing and concluded that a site meeting was needed, which would take place on Friday 8 October as an adjournment of the current meeting.
BIRCHWOOD PLAY AREA The Committee considered the report of the Town Clerk and noted the decision to purchase the play equipment as set out in the report. The Committee then considered the recommendation of the Birchwood Working Party to re-site the play area behind the Astroturf area and to erect a high fence on the side facing the playing field. Members of the Working Party were concerned that they had not discussed the entrances to the play area and it was agreed to defer any decision until the adjourned meeting.
NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT The Committee considered the report of the Town Clerk. RESOLVED (a) That the Council claim its full costs in respect of the struck-out claim regarding the Holme Road Pocket Park. That the Town Clerk pursue the holding of a meeting with Welwyn Hatfield Council regarding the delays in bringing open spaces to an acceptable condition and transferring them to the Town Council. That the concerns of the Town Clerk regarding the open spaces on the former British Aerospace site be fully supported. BIRCHWOOD PLAYSCHEMES The Committee noted with satisfaction the report of the Deputy Town Clerk and the excellent results of the survey of users undertaken by the Policy and Projects Officer.
OXLEASE HOUSE The Committee considered the report of the Town Clerk. Following a discussion regarding the benefits of wallpapering the Town Clerk was asked to obtain further quotations for painting instead of papering the walls from the two cheapest contractors and to submit a further report to the next meeting of the Committee.
TOWN CENTRE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS The Chairman agreed that this could be considered as an urgent item as the Festival Sub-Committee had only been able to consider it at a meeting earlier in the day. Welwyn Hatfield Council proposed to put white lights on seven trees in the Market Place at a total cost of 7,000. St. Modwen had contributed 2,000 and the Town Council was being asked to make up the shortfall of 800. The Festival Sub-Committee recommended that a contribution of 800 should be made and that a letter be sent to all Town Centre traders telling them of the funding. RESOLVED That the recommendation be approved.
BEECHES HEALTH SUITE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE The Chairman agreed that this could be considered as an urgent item as the Cross Trainer had failed in the last few days. There was a 500 budget provision for equipment it was RESOLVED That a Kettler Condor Cross Trainer be purchased at a cost of 450.
EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC RESOLVED That the Press and Public be excluded from the remaining items as their presence would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted.
BIRCHWOOD PLAYSCHEMES The Committee considered the report of the Deputy Town Clerk. RESOLVED i) That when a child is excluded a maximum of one weeks fees are retained ii) That the Leisure Services Manager in consultation with the Playscheme Co-ordinator determine the length of the exclusion
iii) That any decision to permanently exclude any child be confirmed by the Leisure Committee iv) That all incidents be logged. 45. ROE HILL HALL The Committee considered the report of the Town Clerk. RESOLVED That Councillors Atkinson and Croft inspect the floor and report back to the Committee. 46. BAR/CAF TRADING ACOUNTS The trading accounts for the period 1 April 2004 to 15 September 2004 were received by the Committee 47. ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING In order to progress matters discussed under Minutes 36, 37 and 45 it was RESOLVED That the meeting stand adjourned until Friday 8 October 2004 at Roe Hill Hall.