PARKS AND CEMETERY COMMITTEE

TO: MEMBERS OF THE PARKS AND CEMETERY COMMITTEE: Councillors Lewis (Chairman), Bowie (Deputy Chairman), Blackwell, Elliott, Ms Hill, Ms Kelly, Lester, Mrs Markwell and Poile

Copies to: All other elected Members for information.

You are summoned to attend the PARKS AND CEMETERY COMMITTEE meeting on Thursday 16 January 2014 at 7.00 p.m. in the Council Offices, 137 London Road, Southborough, Kent. TN4 0ND.

AGENDA

1. APOLOGIES AND REASON FOR ABSENCE

2. DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY AND OTHER SIGNIFICANT INTERESTS

Members, who have a Disclosable Pecuniary or Other Significant Interest within the meaning of the Kent Code of Conduct 2012 in any matter appearing on the agenda, are invited to declare that interest at this stage and sign the register accordingly.

3. PUBLIC OPEN SESSION

Standing Order 60(a). Members of the public may speak under this item as long as 24 hours notice of their wish to do so has been given the Town Clerk, and that the subject is relevant to this Committee. No speech may be for longer than five minutes except by resolution of the Committee or Council.

4. MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2013 were approved at Full Council on 19 December 2013.

5. INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

Income and expenditure reports relating to the Parks and Cemetery Committee, between 1 November and 30 November 2013 are attached for approval.

6.  PENNINGTON GROUNDS BOWLS CLUB

Members to discuss the future options for the club and the pavilion use, with the bowls representatives, who will be attending the meeting.

7. SOUTHBOROUGH CRICKET CLUB

Members to see the attached option plans for a replacement Cricket Pavilion. Members of the Club will attend the meeting to present this item. This item is to obtain Council Members initial thoughts on the ideas put forward. Correspondence is attached from Kent Highways concerning one of the options, which would involve closing the slip road across the Common in front of the War Memorial.

8. BARNETTS WOOD DEVELOPERS FUND

Members to discuss the allocation of the monies currently being held by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. Please see the attached letter giving the options.

9. DUTY MEMBERS REPORT

Members to note the report completed by Councillor Alain Lewis.

10. BLOOM COMMITTEE

Members to note that Robert and Colette Marsh have decided step down from this Committee. Members to note that consideration needs to be given to finding replacements before the Annual Town Council Meeting in May.

11. PENNINGTON GROUNDS CAFE

Following the opening of the newly refurbished Imperial public house and the Poppys café just behind it, it has been brought to my attention that both of these sell teas, coffees and cakes etc. and are successful. The Clerk is looking for confirmation that this Council still wishes to pursue the leased café within the pavilion, which may now have a problem attracting enough business to be a viable option for leaseholders.

12. PENNINGTON GROUNDS SIGN

Members to see the attached draft of the proposed sign for the Grounds. Members to be aware that this will be fixed to the railing and not on separate posts. Members to approve style and content.

13. CONFIDENTIAL

It is proposed that during consideration of the following items of business the public and press would be temporarily excluded (Standing Order 76).

These items are considered confidential for the following reason(s)

Information relating to the financial affairs of the Council.

a) Pennington Grounds Bowls Club – Bowls Green – This item is to allow Members to discuss and decide on any changes to the financial costs relating to the Bowls Club. Members are reminded that the three options discussed at a previous meeting were agreed at Full Council so the six-month rule applies.

b) Charges – Possible increases from April 2014

Cemetery Charges - Members to discuss a possible increase to the charges made within the Cemetery. Please see attached current charges and comparison assuming an inflation rate increase of 3% rounded. Members to advise the Clerk if they wish to increase these.

Football Maintenance Charge – We currently receive a total of £4,534.36 (excl) from the Association of Southborough Football Clubs and Tunbridge Wells Ridgewaye AFC towards the cost of the maintenance of the Yew Tree and Ridgewaye playing fields. Members need to discuss if they wish to increase this sum. A 3% increase equivalent to the current inflation rate would bring the total fee per year to £4,670.39 plus VAT.

Allotments – Members to discuss a possible increase to the charges made for an allotment plot. We currently charge £5.20 per rod. Any further increase could not be implemented until April 2015, as one year’s notice to tenants is required. A 3% increase would make the charge £5.36 per rod (rounded).

Holden Pond – Members to discuss a possible increase to the permits for fishing at Holden Pond. The current costs are £7 per day ticket and £20 per annum for residents. A 3% inflation linked increase would increase these to £7.21 and £20.60.

Bowls (private ticket sales) – Members to discuss an increased charge to the use of the Bowls Green by the public. We currently charge

For session of 21 ends – per player

/

£7.00

For session of 21 ends – per senior (over 60)

/

£5.00

Hire of woods and/or slips (includes £1 deposit)

/

£4.00

Bowls Club Season Ticket Charges – Members to discuss the level of charging for the season tickets for the Bowls Club, for the coming year. These were increased in 2012 to the levels below. No increases were applied last year.

Doubles (including Sunday play)

/

£131.00

Singles (including Sunday play)

/

£80.00

Senior (over 60 – includes Sunday play)

/

£45.00

Locker - per season

/

£7.50

Cemetery Cottage and Bungalow Rents – The rents were increased by a total of 5% effective from July 2013. Members to discuss an increase to the rents from 1 April 2014. Members are aware that the rents for the two tenanted properties, are well below that set by the Fair Rent Officer.

Brenda J Wickens

Town Clerk

10 January 2014