PADDOCK WOOD TOWN COUNCIL
The Podmore Building, St Andrews Road, Paddock Wood
Tonbridge, Kent, TN12 6HT
Telephone: 01892 837373
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MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE ESTATES COMMITTEE held on Monday 12 December at 7.00 p.m. in the Day Centre, Commercial Road.
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Cllrs Present: H. Atkins, R. Atkins, T. Bisdee, D Boyle (Committee Chairman), M. Flashman & R. Moon
Also Present: K. Bell (Locum Clerk), T. Maxwell (RFO) & C. Smith (Estates Manager)
Cllr Apologies: D Sargison & R Turk
Cllr Boyle opened the meeting and welcomed all present.
ES48 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Apologies had been received from Cllr. Sargison (Prior Commitment) and Cllr. Turk (Prior Commitment). It was proposed, seconded and:
RESOLVED: To approve the apologies and reason. Unanimous
ES49 DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS: There were none
ES50 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING: It was proposed, seconded and: RESOLVED: To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 14 November 2022 as a correct record of the proceedings. The minutes were signed by the Committee Chairman. Unanimous
ES51 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES NOT INCLUDED ELSEWHERE ON THE AGENDA
ES42 ESTATE MANAGERS REPORT: The Estate Manager gave a report and drew attention to the following items which had not been included elsewhere on the agenda:
- H & S Update – a large oak branch had fallen from a canopy in FHW and landed close to volunteers, there were no reported injuries.
- Base Site Update – A Skip had been ordered as a receptacle for the storage of items collected from sites, i.e., pushbikes and pallets.
- Work In Progress – included shrub pruning in Green Lane, work on football pitches (mowing in the wet winter) and work at The Batters where it was planned to create a 1.5m wide clearance along a neighbouring fence line and surrounding a large willow.
ES52 PLAY EQUIPMENT UPDATE: The Estates Manager had met with representatives from Wicksteed (01.12.22). A discussion took place on the works required and quotations in respect of repairs / replacements were awaited. It was noted that two items of equipment at the St Andrews required replacing as it was unfortunately irreparable.
ES53 UPDATE ON REMDIAL WORK TO BE UNDERTAKEN AT GREEN LANE AND ELM TREE FOLLOWING WORK CARRIED OUT BY UKPN
Green Lane: The cut-up hedge needed to be kept in place as was a nesting home for dormice. The ground would be levelled in the spring and some tree planting would take place.
The Estates Manager had met with representatives from UKPN to discuss the reinstatement of the green area. UKPN had suggested leaving until the spring which in the current dangerous state was not acceptable. The Estates Manager had therefore asked UKPN to fill in the ruts with soil and to reinstate the grass in the spring when the ground had dried out. UKPN clearly did not want to do this and so the Estates Manager had asked a contractor to undertake the work at UKPN’s cost which was a solution accepted by UKPN subject to them seeing the quotation.
Elm Tree: Only superficial damage to the grassed are which did not affect the playing fields had occurred and would be reseeded by UKPN. Damage had been caused to one of the newly installed bollards which UKPN had agreed to pay for the replacement costs.
ES54 TREE PLANTING UPDATE: The Estates Manager had recently collected 200 free whips (Small trees) which needed to be planted, included amongst the trees received were approximately 30 Black poplar whips which were a rare native species. It was noted that FHW volunteers were currently coppicing so were unable to plant the trees at this time however 30 had so far been planted at Putlands and the remainder would be planted at FHW after Christmas. Following a discussion, it was proposed, seconded and: RESOLVED: That information relating to the tree planting project would be put on the website and the council’s social media. Unanimous
ES55 PLAN BEE SUMMIT 2022: It was reported that the Estates Manager had attended this recent online event which was found to be both informative and interesting. It was noted that the presentation material used at the event had been received and copied to members.
ES56 DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Confirmed as Monday 13 February 2023, at 7.45 pm in The Day Centre, Commercial Road.
There being no additional business, the meeting concluded at 7.11 p.m.
