Committee Agendas 1 April 2024 - 31 March 2025

Notice of a meeting of the Recreation and Environment Committee      

Dear Sir/Madam,

I hereby give you notice that a meeting of the Recreation and Environment Committee of Ruskington Parish Council will be held on 21 October 2024 at 7pm at Ruskington Parish Office, 7-9 High Street North Ruskington, NG34 9DY.  Members of the public and press are welcome to the public session commencing at 7pm and may ask questions or make short statements to the Committee at this time. Alternatively, questions or statements may be submitted to the Clerk in advance of the meeting: clerk@ruskington-pc.gov.uk

All Councillor Members of the Recreation & Environment Committee are summoned to attend for the purpose of considering and resolving upon the business to be transacted at the meeting, as set out hereunder.

Agenda

1. To elect a Chairman for the remainder of the civic year.

2. To elect a Vice-chairman for the remainder of the civic year.

3. To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Parish Clerk prior to the meeting.

4.  Receive declarations of interest and consider applications for dispensations in relation to DPIs.

Disclosure of Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary Interests is to be in accordance with the Localism Act 2011.  The need for Disclosure is to be based upon agenda items or at any suitable time during the Meeting when it becomes apparent to a Member.

5. To approve the notes of the meeting held on 13 February 29024 as accurate Minutes.

6. To receive an update on the budget and expenditure for recreation matters.

   6.1. To receive an update on the budget and expenditure for environment matters.

7.  To review and agree the Application Form, Lease Agreements and Terms and Conditions for the hire / use of the sports facilities for 2025-2026 for recommending to Council at its meeting on 12 November 2024. Please note, the fees were approved by Council on 8 October 2024.

   7.1. Application / booking form to request the use of the facilities

   7.2. Hire agreement for use by sports teams

   7.3. The hire/ user agreement for use by non-sporting teams (such as individuals and charities)

   7.4. Terms and Conditions for use by the following: -

1. The Terms and Conditions for use by sports teams, including Sleaford Athletic Men’s Team.
2. The Terms and Conditions for use by the Lions JFC (including the use of the kitchen)

8. Parkfield playing fields

   8.1. To consider the report from the Pitch Power assessment of the playing fields. (Previously circulated.)

   8.2. To consider obtaining three quotes for grass cutting, and annual turf management (scarifying, fertilising) of the playing fields to improve their condition for FY 2025-2026.

   8.3. To consider recommending to Council that a cross-committee working party be created to consider the feasibility, costs, staffing, service level agreements, on-going requirements, and to answer questions raised in regard to submitting a funding application to the Football Foundation, to improve the grass at the playing fields.

   8.4. To consider the feasibility, planning application, costs, and ongoing requirements of creating a shallow scrape to alleviate the standing water on the playing fields following substantial rain for informing the budget for 2025-2025.

   8.5. To consider removing the wild strip from Tomlinson/Park Lea boundary and widening a grass strip in the north field (for informing the grass cutting arrangements).

   8.6. To consider clearance of the ditch along Tomlinson boundary, and any expenditure required.

9. To receive an update on flooding and the status of the Emergency Plan.

10. Horseshoe Hollow

   10.1. To receive an update on the grass cutting and collection dates.

   10.2. To receive / consider the proposals and costs for the renovation of the three entrances into Horseshoe Hollow (as agreed in principle by Council) for informing the budget setting.

   10.3. To consider the next phase of hedge planting during winter 2024-2025.

   10.4. To decide the management plan for Horseshoe Hollow to reflect changes made.

   10.5. To receive an update on the nature trail for Horseshoe Hollow and agree the next steps.

11. Community garden – To consider the next phase for the development of the garden and consider any expenditure.

12. Cemetery - To receive an update from the Environment Caretaker on the cemetery hedge, and to receive the list of tree work planned up to February 2025.

13.  Allotments

   13.1. To consider ways to manage the waiting list to avoid non-residents obtaining allotment plots and allotment holders queue jumping to obtain additional plots.

   13.2. To review the allotment lease agreement for 2025-2026.

   13.3. To review the allotment regulations for 2025-2026.

14. Garden of Remembrance

   14.1. To receive an update on the path in the Garden of Remembrance.

   14.2. To consider any other projects or requirements for the Garden for informing the budget for FY 2025-2026.

   15. To consider installing bike racks at all suitable Council venues (community garden, allotments, cemetery, Hillside and Beck Close play areas, Horseshoe Hollow. (Parkfield pavilion and Elmtree play area already bike racks installed) to reduce the reliance on cars.

16. To consider the questions from the architect regarding the pavilion and proposed new parking areas for informing the change of use planning application. (The Estate Management and Planning Committee will be involved with the planning permission and development of the café.)

17. To consider recreation projects, play and sports equipment and costs for recommending to Council and informing the budget for 2025-2026.

18. To receive and consider ideas for encouraging walking and cycling in and around Ruskington, improving accessibility, and promoting village recreation and leisure amenities.

19. To agree the date for the next committee meeting.

20. To resolve whether to exclude the public and press, in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960, to discuss the following contractual matters below.  Should this resolution be passed, members of the public and press will be required to leave the meeting. The meeting will end, and a further meeting of the Council will be convened immediately.

21. To consider the grass cutting tender arrangements for 2025-2026. (The current contract ends on 31 March 2025).