Essington Parish Council

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ESSINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

ESSINGTON COMMUNITY CENTRE – MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

MINUTES of the Management Committee meeting held on Monday 20th November 2006 at 7.00 pm at Essington Community Centre, Essington.

PRESENT Councillor D Clifft J P (Chairman) Councillor M North (Vice-Chairman)

Councillor J.Macey Councillor A Nicklin

Councillor J Rice Councillor L Saunders

Councillor J Smallman Councillor B Tarbuck

Councillor B Whitehouse Councillor P Whitehouse

TenanTS & PUblic Participation

No Comments

The Chairman Councillor David Clifft opened the meeting.

He commented on the contents of the meeting with various people coming to speak to Members regarding various centre and issues.

He introduced Community Beat Officer P C Darren Munnerley and Community Support Officer Gareth Lloyd to the meeting and welcomed Community Support Office Gareth Lloyd to Essington. Community Beat Officer P C Darren Munnerley spoke to the meeting; he outlined the work that our new Community Support Officer will undertake following his 10-week training schedule working alongside Darren in the parish of Essington. Councillor Mavis North commented that it would be useful if Gareth came to the Over 50’s Club and introduced himself to the many residents that attend. P C Darren Munnerley said that hopefully they would attend as soon as possible.

1. Apologies

Apologies were received from Councillors Pat Griffin, Sue Marsden & Sylvia Wright

2. Minutes of last meeting held on 17th July 2006

The minutes were proposed by Councillor June Smallman and seconded by Councillor Lionel Saunders as an accurate record.

3. Matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting

Councillor Jan Macey asked if any further contact had been made from the Dance Studio regarding taking over the old boiler house. The Chairman commented that no formal application has been received from Mr & Mrs Truman.

4. centres

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The Chairman introduced Dr. Rob Grinstead Chairman of the Friday Evening Youth Club who addressed the meeting and spoke of the changes that have occurred with volunteers over the summer months. He spoke about the number of volunteers who have come forward to offer their services to assist the running of club and that the present membership is 50 plus children with a waiting list of around 25. Councillor Adrian Nicklin commented on the need to raise income at the centre from hall hire and asked Dr.Grinstead if he would consider moving the youth club to another evening other than Friday, Dr Grinstead replied that he understood the implications of being able to hire the room of a Friday but they did prefer a Friday for the youth club. Members discussed the merits of the youth club and asked if the Members are residents of Essington. Dr Grinstead replied that the majority of the children are from Essington but a number came from Cheslyn Hay and New Invention but that all the members are pupils of St. Johns School, Members concluded that Essington residents should be given priority over other children outside the parish.

The Chairman thanked Dr. Grinstead for his attendance and comments, and fully committed the support of the parish council to assist the youth club.

The clerk commented on a letter received from a resident who had hired the hall in September. Following complaints from local residents regarding fireworks and excessive noise, the clerk had spoken with the hirer, however the resident felt the nature of the conversation, unfair and disputed the complaints. Members discussed the booking conditions, the information attached to the booking form and request for a signature accepting terms

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& conditions. Members felt that hirers who fall in breech of the terms & conditions should forfeit all or part of the holding fee. the clerk will write to the resident.

The Chairman asked Members to consider increasing the holding fee to reflect current prices.

Long Lane Centre

The Chairman introduced Keith Hardy Chairman of Wyrley Football Club who was in attendance with 3 committee members. Keith Hardy addressed the meeting and commented on the progress of the club to raise the funds to build the new clubhouse and facilitate the football pitches at Long Lane. Wyrley FC have been awarded the Community Club of Staffordshire.

The Chairman thanked Keith Hardy & his committee for their attendance.

Teddy Bears Nursery

The Chairman commented on a previous request from the Nursery regarding drainage, this matter is being checked by South Staffs Council.

The Pavilions

The Chairman commented on the proposed lease agreement with Walsall FC and asked Members to look at drawings submitted by Walsall FC showing proposed alterations to the Pavilion Building.

The Chairman commented that the proposed lease is now being considered by both parties’ solicitors for verification by all parties.

The Chairman commented that Members should consider the amended figures as handed out for the rent payments. Members discussed the figures and agreed to proceed with the negotiation.

Members asked the Chairman if he had spoken with the hirer of field which homes the horses, the Chairman said he had, and that he had informed him that he would have to vacate the land at the end of his term of contract. However Walsall FC are keen to take possession of the land as soon as possible and have asked if the hirer can be alternatively accommodated. The clerk is checking the area to try and find suitable alternatives.

The Chairman asked Members to consider the Breakfast meeting on Friday 24th November at the Pavilions and asked Members to approve refreshments for the day for 40 people, Members approved the cost.

High Hill

The Chairman commented on a recent meeting with Essington RUFC and that the lease document is progressing well with both solicitors.

The clerk read out a letter from the Friends of Essington asking for permission to remove old concrete lamps in the area of the nicket. Members discussed the proposal and the clerk will contact the friends group to determine the facts.

5. ECC – The Way Forward

The Chairman commented on a problem in the gents’ toilet with one cubicle being out of commission due to a blockage. The clerk is getting quotes to cover the work involved.

The clerk commented on the ongoing problem of the roof leaking in many places, in the main corridor, ladies & gents toilets and the council chamber areas. Members discussed the problems of getting contractors to call and quote and agreed that the work was urgently required in the new refurbished toilets. The clerk will get the work done and get quotes for similar works in the council chamber.

Councillor Adrian Nicklin commented on the conditions of the rooms off the main hall – the carpeted area and the small function room, the clerk will get these areas decorated.

Councillor June Smallman on behalf of the Over 50’s Club asked for permission for the club to install a dishwasher in the main kitchen, following relocating the cooker, and for permission to install a fridge in the committee room, this was agreed subject to the refurbishment of the kitchen when the fridge will be moved.

6. THE POOLS AREA

The clerk read out a letter of commendation from Sedgley House for the use of the area by Psychiatric Rehabilitation Patients on several occasions, they commended the Bailiffs and the high standard of the area, and hoped the letter could be used to obtain funding by a Friends Group. Members discussed the letter and agreed that the bailiffs perform a very worthwhile job.

7. Finance

The Clerk presented to the meeting statements of receipts and payments up to the 31st October 2006 for all 4 centres,

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Essington Community Centre – Members discussed the deficit of income against expenditure and hoped the refurbishment would encourage new hirers and groups to use the centre.

The Pavilions Broad Lane – Councillors Beryl Tarbuck & Mavis North raised concerns about the water costs.