CROWTHORNE PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE TRUSTEES OF WALTER RECREATION GROUND AND CIRCLE HILL HELD ON TUESDAY 22 MARCH 2016 AT THE MORGAN CENTRE, WELLINGTON ROAD, CROWTHORNE AT 10.30AM
______
Present: / CPC / WWPCCllr R Price
Cllr G Robertson
Mrs A Swadling – Administrator
Mrs J Robertson – Assistant Admin
0 member of the public
0 member of the press / Mr P Metcalf – in the Chair
Cllr D Dye
Cllr P Sturgess
Apologies accepted: / Cllr J Bolton
Cllr J Finnie
Cllr K Newland
1 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None.
2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of the Trustees of Walter Recreation Ground and Circle Hill held on 20 October 2015 as circulated, were taken as read, confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a true record.
3 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MEETING HELD ON 20 OCTOBER 2015
1 Holly Regrowth (Min 3.4)
Trustees agreed that a date during the last week of April would be suitable for a site visit. The Administrator was asked to send out a choice of dates to the Trustees.
Action: Administrator.
2 Wellington College (Min 3.8)
Cllr Price reported that Wellington College pupils were conducting weekly litterpicks around Crowthorne, including Walter Rec and Circle Hill. It was agreed that a letter of thanks be sent to them.
Action: Administrator
3 Circle Hill Site Visit (Min 3.9)
Cllr Robertson reported that she had been in touch with the Head Gardener at Broadmoor with regards to the introduction and maintenance of a flower bed in the open space adjacent to Bracknell Road. He confirmed that he would be happy to participate in this project.
4 Noticeboard (Min 4.2)
The noticeboard has been refurbished and installed at the entrance to Circle Hill Woods from Pinewood Avenue (adjacent to Travis Perkins). The Administrator suggested displaying some information regarding the history of the site. Mr Metcalf agreed to work with the Administrator on this project.
Action: Administrator/Mr Metcalf
5 Bird Boxes (Min 4.3)
As instructed, the order for 8 bird boxes was placed with Broadmoor Hospital for the patients to work on and confirmation has been received that the boxes will be completed by the end of March. The estimated cost will be £16 each, however consideration should be given to the purchase of metal hole plates to prevent woodpeckers and squirrels from making the hole larger to snatch eggs and chicks. Broadmoor Hospital is currently not in a position to undertake making the bat boxes but will review this once the bird boxes are completed.
Cllr Price reported that Wellington College pupils are also making bird boxes as part of their community service. It was suggested that they be asked if they could make some bat boxes as well and a possible owl box. Cllr Price agreed to approach Wellington College about this.
Action: Cllr Price
6 Culvert (Min 5.4)
The CPC groundsman has been asked to routinely inspect the culvert as part of his weekly litter pick of Circle Hill. Clearance of the ditch is also routinely completed in the spring by the grounds contractor. The next clearance works are scheduled for completion by 11 March 2016. The Administrator was asked to thank the grounds contractor and CPC groundsman for their efforts in keeping the ditch clear.
Action: Administrator
4 ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
1 Berkshire Conservation Volunteers:
To date the volunteers have been on site at Circle Hill on the following Sundays: 15 November, 20 December 2015 and 7 February and 21 February 2016. The next scheduled date is Sunday 3 April 2016. Further dates will be requested once they become available.
As previously agreed by the Trustees, completion of the following works has been requested:
· To clear a 1 metre radius around the newly planted shrubs and trees.
· Removal of the remaining large laurel bushes – to be burnt if weather permits.
· Pathways to be widened where considered necessary.
· Clear shrub branches from around the seat on top of the hill (opposite Bracknell Rd).
· Continue with clearance (two thirds of which has already been done).
· Further works will be agreed as part of the upcoming site visit.
The Administrator was asked to send a letter of thanks to the Berkshire Volunteers for their work at Circle Hill.
Action: Administrator
2 Fencing Repairs
Repairs have been undertaken to sections of fencing located on the Walter Recreation Ground and Circle Hill. Further repairs are needed and the Administrator is due to meet with the contractor and get a quote for the works. Mr Metcalf said that he would speak to Travis Perkins with regards to a possible contribution from them towards the works.
Action: Mr Metcalf/Administrator
The bin located on the Walter Rec will be re-positioned as it had begun to list on one side due to earth erosion.
3 Litter
The bins located on Circle Hill and Walter Rec are routinely used to dump household rubbish. In order to try and address this, signage has been placed at various entrances advising that the bins are for the disposal of pedestrian litter and dog mess only.
5 TO RECEIVE THE ANNUAL TREE SURVEYS AND APPROVE THE RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE WORKS FOR CIRCLE HILL AND WALTER RECREATION GROUND
The Trustees considered the annual tree surveys completed for Walter Recreation Ground and Circle Hill in December 2015 and agreed to proceed with the recommendations as identified.
The Trustees unanimously RESOLVED the following:
· To approve the works as recommended for Circle Hill at a cost of £375.00 + vat
· To approve the works as recommended for Walter Recreation Ground at a cost of £295.00 + vat.
Cllr Dye requested that not all the ivy be removed as ivy flowers were a food source for the Holly Blue Butterfly.
6 TO RECEIVE A VERBAL UPDATE ON WOODLAND CLEARANCE AT CIRCLE HILL
Mr Metcalf reported that the woods were in good shape, with 80% of the newly planted trees thriving and starting to show amidst the bracken and undergrowth. The notices were still in place, the bins were being used regularly and very little visible dog mess. He reported that there was no sign of regrowth of the Japanese knotweed which he was regularly inspecting and would continue to do so.
7 TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE THE BUDGET PRESENTED FOR 2016/2017
It was unanimously RESOLVED to approve the proposed final budget for 2016/17 as presented.
8 ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
1 Cllr Robertson reported that Dan Carpenter, BFC Biodiversity Officer had left BFC.
2 Cllr Price reported that Crowthorne Parish Council was undertaking a Neighbourhood Plan, the area of which would include some of Circle Hill. He also declared that he would be stepping down from the committee in May to concentrate on the Neighbourhood Plan.
3 Cllr Dye voiced her concern that the food source for butterflies needed to be improved by the introduction of suitable plants and agreed to produce a list of beneficial plants for butterflies. Cllr Robertson agreed to speak to Wellington College and Edgbarrow School to ask if they would be interested in taking part in this project.
Action: Cllr Dye/Cllr Robertson
9 ITEMS FOR INCLUSION ON FUTURE AGENDAS
- Future tree thinning – Mr Metcalf
- Introduction of Alder Buckthorn
- Site visit and Woodland Plan update
Dates of future meetings:
Thursday 15 September 2016, 10am
Thursday 19 January 2017
Meeting closed 11.20am
Signed ......
Dated ......
WRec & CH Mtg 22.3.16 1