PADDOCK WOOD TOWN COUNCIL
The Podmore Building, St Andrews Road, Paddock Wood
Tonbridge, Kent, TN12 6HT
Telephone: 01892 837373
www.paddockwood-tc.gov.uk
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MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE ESTATES COMMITTEE held on
Monday 13th May 2024 in the Day Centre Commercial Road at 7.45 pm
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PRESENT: Cllr R Atkins, in the Chair
Cllrs A Mackie, D Kent, R Moon,
IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs N Reay, Clerk to the Council
Mr C Smith, Estates Manager
APOLOGIES: Cllr T Mobbs D Sargison, J Thompson
ES112 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
ES113 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the meeting held on 8th April 2023 were APPROVED.
ES114 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES
a) The Aerial Runway (Zip Wire) is scheduled to be installed week commencing 20th May 2024.
b) The fence at Clover Way has been repaired
c) Signage at Memorial Field. There are existing posts at the entrance to the car park. The attached sign has been drawn up and will be installed as soon as possible.
ES115 ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Full council has approved the electrical safety work for all sites, and it is scheduled to start week commencing 27th May 2024.
Members discussed whether the work should be carried out at the Old Workshops
In 2007 the Town Council agreed that the Allotment Association should be given permission to use the old workshops for the Association Shop. Apart from some work to the roof very little maintenance work has been carried out on the building, and it is in a poor state of repair. The power supply is connected to the Memorial Pavilion.
Concern was expressed that there was a Health and Safety risk at present and the work needed to be carried out or the power cut off to the building. Due to the condition of the building, it was felt that discussions needed to be had regarding its future with the Allotment Association.
Cllr Atkins Proposed, Cllr Kent seconded:
That the power to the Old Workshops should be capped off and a meeting arranged with the Allotment Association as soon as possible.
CARRIED unanimously.
ES116 MEMORIAL FIELD AND PITCHES
a) A request had been received from Insulators Football Team to replace the goal posts at the Memorial Field. However, no decision has yet been made regarding the long-term future use of the Field regarding football & or cricket.
The original planning application for the community centre indicated that both football and cricket could be played on the site. However, that would require reducing the size of & moving the football pitch and a minimum sized cricket wicket.
The existing football pitch is 61 m wide, to fit both cricket & football the pitch would need to be reduced to 55 m, this is only suitable for U15/16. There is a dip in the field close to the pavilion which needs levelling. The field also floods in the corner so if the football pitch was moved it could cause problems.
Members considered the following points:
- Insulators FC have indicated that they would not want the pitch to be any smaller than it already is.
- They are sympathetic to the need for cricket on the site.
- There is currently insufficient information to make a decision at the the moment.
- The Council currently has £188,000 for sport improvements at the Memorial Field from S106 funds.
- Cricket & football should not overlap.
- Insulators would like new posts as soon as possible.
- If the levelling work was to be carried out over the summer the field would not be ready for the start of the new season
- Decision needs to be made which sport to be played at the Memorial Field
- The Estates Manager has measured the outfield for Cricket.
Cllr Moon proposed, Cllr Mackie Seconded:
That new posts should be installed in the current position.
CARRIED 2 in favour, 2 abstained.
b) Access road from Ringden Avenue – planning permission has now been granted for the erection of 3 houses to the rear of the workshops. The access road is owned by the developers. The council’s solicitor has been consulted and advise that the council has prescriptive rights over the driveway due to the length of time it has had unimpeded access. However, to protect the council’s position an application will be made to the Land Registry to protect those rights.
ES117 ESTATES STAFF
Interviews were held on the 19th April for an additional member of the Estates Team. No appointment was made, and the post will be readvertised.
ES118 TREES SURVEYS
The Town Council has just been advised by its tree survey company they are going to have to charge the town council an additional fee for a licence for the OS maps for the various sites they will be surveying. The additional cost will be £494 +VAT. This fee has not had to be paid in the past.
The tree surveys are due to be carried out shortly.
ES119 ELM TREE PITCHES
The application for the Pitch Power grant, as agreed at the March meeting, is being progressed. However, the FA requires a Service Level agreement with the football club to be signed. A template was attached.
Cllr Atkins proposed,
That the council signs the Service Level Agreement.
Carried 3 in favour, 1 abstention.
ES120 FOAL HURST WOOD
Suggested designs for the interpretation boards were attached. These have also been sent to Peter Prince, lead volunteer at FHW.
Following a discussion, it was agreed that costs of lecterns like those installed by the John Brunt Public House should be costed up and the notice board for the entrance to the field with lockable section.
One designer had already been approached for ideas and costs.
Details of the work being carried out in the wood along with QR codes to link to bird sounds and further information would be included on the boards.
ES121 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will take place on Monday 10th June 2024.
The meeting closed at 9 pm.