SUNNINGHILL & ASCOT PARISH COUNCIL
The Courtyard (AscotRacecourse)
High Street
ASCOT
Berkshire, SL5 7JF
Tel: 01344 630141 Fax: 01344 630139 email: sunninghill.ascot.parish.council@rbwm.gov.uk
Minutes of a meeting of the Leisure & Cultural Committee held at the Chandler Day Centre,Bagshot Road, Sunninghill on Tuesday 13 March 2012, commencing at 7.00pm.
Members Present: Councillors R Ellison (Chairman), A Sharpe (Vice-Chairman), B Hilton, S Humphrey, C Lester, S Jones, J Yong.
In attendance:Elizabeth Yates, Clerk to the Council.
3530 TO NOTE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Councillor Peter Deason, Luke Roberts and Michelle Turton.
3531 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
The Chairman asked to receive any Declarations of Interest in accordance with the adopted Code of Conduct. None were given.
3532 MINUTES
The Minutes of the previous meeting, held on 31 January 2012, were considered a correct record and signed as such.
3533 DOG WASTE MANAGEMENT
Craig Miller, the Borough’s Waste and Environmental Protection Manager, gave a presentation on the role and responsibilities of the Borough’s Dog Management Service. This service focused on the provision of one part time dog warden, the emptying of dog waste bins and the kennelling and re-housing of stray dogs. Mr. Miller discussed the difficulties associated with dog fouling enforcement, the responsibilities of dog ownership and the use of dog control orders. He informed the committee that the Parish Council was considered to be a ‘secondary authority’ in terms of dog fouling enforcement and that three ways of devolving powers of enforcement were available to the Parish Council, as part of the Borough’s menu of devolution.
Councillor Spike Humphrey asked for further information on the frequency of dog warden visits within the Parish. The Chairman asked for more information regarding the third option available to the Parish Council, in terms of the range of hours that could be offered to the Parish for the dog warden’s service. Mr. Miller confirmed that he would send the Clerk this information and an electronic copy of the presentation he gave, for distribution to the Parish Councillors. The Chairman thanked Mr. Miller for attending the meeting and suggested that the devolution proposals be considered in more detail by the Parish Council.
3534 GROUNDSMAN’S REPORT AND SITES UPDATE
The Groundsman’s report was considered and the Clerk informed the committee that the re-surfacing of the playgrounds atSouth Ascotand Victory Field had gone well and that winter works had been completed. Concern had been expressed by clients at the amount of top soil being left at the cemetery and the Clerk explained that this matter was being looked into. She went on to inform the meeting that the Parish Truck had been ‘signed’ with the new Parish logo and that the approved benches and bollards were being installed on Thursday 15 March at Victory Field. The Clerk reported on two further incidents, the dismantling of the planters outside the public conveniences atAscot High Streetand a ‘break in’ at the Pavilion at Victory Field, both matters of which had been reported to the police.
3535 SOUTH ASCOT RECREATION GROUND
The consultation with residents regarding the proposals for the enhancement of the Recreation Ground was discussed.
The concerns from residents about the proposed ‘teen scene shelter’ were conveyed to the meeting. It was agreed that the Clerk arrange a meeting with representatives of the residents, the Police, Borough Community Wardens and the members of the Parish Council’s Finance and Personnel Committee, to consider these matters further before any works were started.
3536 VICTORY FIELD
Further to the Council meeting held on 21 February, and having received further progress from the Charity Commission regarding the outstanding legalities, the committee considered the development of the site, particularly with regard to the need to replace the Pavilion. It was agreed that a ‘wish list’ for the Pavilion be drawn up at the next Leisure Committee meeting based upon previous plans for a new Pavilion atSouth Ascot. The Parish Council’s Section 106 requests would need to be reviewed at the next Council meeting, in light of this.
Councillor Jeffrey Yong informed the committee about his meting with Mr. Mawby following the last Leisure Committee (minute 3494). The principles contained within Mr. Mawby’s proposals were approved and it was agreed that a follow up meeting be held with him on site which would involve the Parish Groundsman.
3537 HANGING BASKETS
It was agreed that the Parish Council would fund hanging baskets on lamp columns throughout the Parish and the baskets outside the shops within Sunninghill, as part of the Parish Council’s Diamond Jubilee initiatives, subject to budget availability and the continued support of the Ascot Racecourse Authority.
3538 DIAMOND JUBILEE
The Clerk provided an update on the Beacon Event, including the need to gain the involvement of the Borough’s Safety Advisory Committee. She informed the meeting of developments since the last Diamond Jubilee Event sub-committee, including the obtaining of quotes for the static guard, the booking of marquees, the car parking, entertainment and refreshments. It was agreed that a site visit would be arranged with the sub-committee members and community groups involved, to consider further the logistics of the event.
3539 OTHER BUSINESS
The Clerk informed the committee of an injury obtained by a child using the gate into the playground at Victory Field. The Clerk had requested and arranged an external inspection of the gate which was deemed to be in correct working order. The family had been informed of this.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.35pm.
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Councillor Robert Ellison, Chairman