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 10th February 2025 in the Day Centre Commercial Road at 7.45 pm.
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PRESENT: Cllr J. Thompson, in the Chair
Cllrs R Atkins, D. Kent, A. Mackie, R. Moon, D. Sargison
IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs N Reay, Clerk
Mr R Jamieson, Estates Manager
APOLOGIES: Cllr B. Robichaud
NOT PRESENT: Cllr L Norcott
ES79 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
ES80 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the meeting held on 9th December 2024 were APPROVED.
ES81 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES NOT COVERED ELSEWHERE ON THE AGENDA.
- New Tractor and mower – the new equipment has now been delivered.
- Closed Church Yard – the repair work to the headstones in the Closed Church Yard has been completed.
- Therapy Garden – it was recommended that the town council should seek advice from the National Allotment Association. To do so the Council has had to join the Association. This has now been done and a request for advice will be made.
- Play Areas – the order for the replacement gates at St Andrews has been placed.
- Wildflower Meadow – the Estates Manager had met with the contractor to arrange the work, and a copy of his quotation is attached. The council has budgeted £5,000.
- Green lane ponds – a new contractor has been identified to carry out the work to the Green Lane ponds. Their quote is within budget and work has started.
ES82 HANGING BASKETS
Three contractors have been sent copies of the specifications. Of the three contractors only one was able to carry out the work. A copy of their quotation was attached. This is the same contractor as the council has used in the past.
Cllr Thompson proposed, Cllr Atkins seconded:
That the quote should be accepted.
CARRIED unanimously
ES83 TREE WORK
Work is needed to be carried out on the following:
- Boundary to the rear of Goldfinch Close & Siskins Gardens
- Fuggles Close – branch of an oak tree is overhanging an adjacent property
- Rear of Putlands adjacent to the pond – willows are leaning towards properties in Chaffinch Close
Quotes will be obtained to carry out the work. Members agreed that the willows should be reduced in height
ES84 CEMETERY
Members received a report from the Cemetery Clerk regarding the alterations to the entrance to the cemetery. It was proposed to widen both gateways and increase of the width of the driveway to improve access for hearses and other large vehicles. The existing gates would be removed as they would not fit in the new entrance. Members discussed whether new gates would be required. It was agreed that as the gates were never closed it was not necessary to replace them.
Cllr Atkins proposed, Cllr Thomspon seconded:
That the council accepted quotation 3 from the report with the following amendments:
A320 Rebars to be included the contract
The concrete kerbs will not be replaced but wooden edging added.
CARRIED unanimously
ES85 MEMORIAL PAVILION
At the end of last summer, a homeless person moved onto the veranda of the pavilion. They eventually moved into accommodation at Christmas and the Estates staff boarded the front of the veranda as a temporary measure to prevent them returning.
Members discussed whether to permanently secure the front of the veranda to prevent a similar situation occurring in the future.
A quote has been received from a contractor for £2050 to install grills to the front of the pavilion.
Following a discussion
Cllr Thompson proposed, Cllr Kent seconded:
That the boards should be removed and the veranda left open.
CARRIED 6 in favour, 1 abstention
ES86 MEMORIAL FIELD
The surface of the Memorial Football pitch is uneven and needs levelling. Quotes are being sought from the contractors.
In July 2023 the borough council released the final funding for sports improvements at the Memorial Field.
The agreement from TWBC to release the funds states:
Total sum to be released is £146,997.92 to be used towards sporting improvements on the Memorial Field.
If members agree that this work should be carried out, then a request will need to be made to full council for the release of S106 funding.
Cllr Thompson proposed, Cllr Atkins seconded:
That 3 quotes should be obtained and submitted to the committee so that a request can be put to the Full Council.
CARRIED unanimously
ES87 OLD WORKSHOPS
A Safety Inspection will be carried on the Old Workshops on the 13th February 2025.
A corner of the building was damaged recently, and Estates Staff have carried out a temporary repair. The inspector’s advice will be sought regarding this. Cllr Kent expressed the view that the building should be closed immediately.
Cllr Thompson proposed, Cllr Atkins seconded:
That as soon as the H & S report is received any recommendations should be carried out immediately.
Cllr Kent put forward the following amendment:
That the building should be closed immediately, and the council should liaise with the Allotment Association.
The amendment was not seconded & therefore fell.
Members then voted on the main proposal:
CARRIED 5 in favour 1 against.
ES88 ESTATES MANAGERS REPORT
- The Estates Manager advised that the tractor had been returned to the supplier for the snagging issues.
- Repairs to the play areas as identified in the inspection were being carried out
- The work to the ponds was ongoing – contractors were mindful of the wildlife and cover for the moorhens would be left.
ES89 DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will take place on Monday 10th March 2025.
The meeting closed at 8.50 pm.