PADDOCK WOOD TOWN COUNCIL
The Podmore Building, St Andrews Road, Paddock Wood
Tonbridge, Kent, TN12 6HT
Telephone: 01892 837373
__________________________________________________________________________
NOTICE OF A MEETING OF THE ESTATES COMMITTEE to be held on Monday 27th September 2021 at 8 pm in the Day Centre, Commercial Road.
__________________________________________________________________________
APOLOGIES
ES18 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
ES19 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
To APPROVE the minutes of the meeting held on 23rd August 2021
ES20 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING
(a) Paddock Wood Cemetery ES9 a -There has been correspondence with the contractor following the site meeting. The matter is currently unresolved and will be followed up by the Estates Manager.
(b) Paddock Wood Cemetery – ES9 b- The drainage work is complete.
(c) ES12- There have been difficulties sourcing the e van. Alternatives are being sought and it is hoped to have proposals available for the meeting.
(d) ES10 Brown moths- various locations. Following advice, a quotation was obtained and accepted for removal instead of spraying. The company in question failed to attend or schedule the work so it was cancelled. A contractor was asked to quote based on spraying with a pesticide that does not persist in the environment and is harmless to other wildlife such as hedgehogs which might eat the dead caterpillars. This work has now been carried out and the cutting of the hedges started w/c 6th September 2021.
ES21 HURRICANES BASEBALL
To consider the attached request from the Hurricane Baseball Club.
ES22 FLOODING, PUTLANDS FIELD
To receive a verbal update from the chairman.
ES23 WORK REQUIRED BY LEGIONELLA SURVEYS
Several plumbing contractors were approached to carry out the work required by the survey. Only one was willing to survey and quote. This quotation is attached for members only. Members to decide whether to accept this, bearing in mind that legionella is a safety issue and failing to do the recommended work will have liability implications.
ES24 ANNUAL INSPECTIONS
- a) Tree safety inspection – the work from last year’s inspection has been completed over the summer. The original report had recommended felling a tree at Fuggles Close, however the tree surgeon has suggested that the tree could be saved by bracing. Advise is being sought from the tree inspector as to whether this would be acceptable.
- b) The playground inspections have been completed and the Estates Manager will arrange for remedial work to be carried out as required. It was recommended that the stage at St Andrews should be removed for safety reasons. It is currently fenced off and will be removed during the autumn.
ES25 OFFICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM
As phones are to go cloud based by December 2025, the office has been looking into changing the phone systems to comply with this. Over the summer the phones in the office developed significant faults which could not be corrected by BT.
Quotations have been obtained and the office phone system will shortly be upgraded.
The quotation received is only marginally more expensive than what is currently in place which is outdated and not operating properly. It also has additional features that will enable staff to divert calls to facilitate home working if that becomes necessary.
The Council has also been seeking to have WIFI installed in the Day Centre. Most providers have advised that the Wi-Fi signal in the area is too weak. BT may be able to overcome this, and discussions are continuing to try to resolve the problems.
ES26 BUDGET 2022/2023
Members are asked to consider any projects they would like to put forward for next year. These can be discussed at the October meeting and put to the Finance meeting in November.
ES27 SOUTHERN WATER WORKS AT GREEN LANE
To receive an update on the progress of the works.
ES28 FOAL HURST WOOD
The bench by the dipping pond has been damaged beyond repair. Members are asked to approve a replacement bench. Details of a suitable replacement will be available at the meeting. There is currently £3000 in the reserve fund.
ES29 ESTATES MANAGER’S REPORT
To receive an update from the Estates Manager.
Under section 1 (2) of the Public Bodies (admission to meetings) Act 1960 the following items may be exempt from the press and public.
ES30 PITCH FEES
To consider the attached.
ES31 KENT CLOSE ALLOTMENTS
To consider the attached advice from the Council’s solicitor & Clerk’s report
ES32 BOWLS CLUB LEASE
To APPROVE the draft lease.
ES33 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Monday 11th October 2021.
NICHOLA REAY
Clerk to the Council
21st September 2021
