Minutes Lands & Maintenance committee meeting 6 Jul 22

Wednesday 6 July 22

Held in the Village Hall at 7.30 pm

Present: Cllr Nigel Denison (Chairman), Cllr Peter Mitchell, Cllr Mark Darwin, Steve Laux (co-opted member), and Roger Clements (Clerk)

1. Apologies for Absence
   1. All members were present.
2. Declarations of Interest from Cllrs not already declared under the Council’s Code of Conduct or members Register of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests
   1. No declarations were made.
3. Minutes of the last committee meeting on 6 Apr 22
   1. The minutes were noted.
4. Public Forum
   1. Steve Laux asked whether the Council should take an interest in the condition of the frontage of the Alms Houses on Main Street and the overgrown hedge at The Leas entrance. Mares Tail was present at the Alms Houses and was difficult to eradicate. Clerk to investigate and contact Broadacres who are likely to be responsible for the Alms Houses frontage and the The Leas hedge.
   2. Peter Mitchell asked whether there was a plan for maintenance of Swale Green, perhaps some areas left to grow wild while others might be improved for recreational use. Clerk reported that this subject was an agenda item for the next Council meeting on 20 Jul 22.
5. Clearance of debris and the making safe of dilapidated building on allotment RR11
   1. Some initial investigation had been carried out: the building was currently empty but appeared unsafe and may require additional health and safety measures to prevent unauthorised access; a corrugated metal roof might be one interim step and a quotation was being sought. The building, which was occupied until c1953, may serve to confer existing planning permission on the site. A work party would probably be needed to clear debris and some derelict sheds. A site meeting was agreed for 11 Jul 22.
6. Purchase and potential location of permanent village flag post
   1. Clerk showed details of aluminium and fibreglass flagpoles. Further research on suitable flagpoles to be carried out and a protocol would be needed for which flags could be flown. It was resolved to present a case to the Council for a 6m flagpole to be sited adjacent to the War Memorial on 20 Jul 22.
7. Recruitment of an additional committee member
   1. It was agreed that an additional co-opted member should be recruited. Possible candidates were identified to be approached.
8. Cobbles Project
   1. Cobbles re-laying specification – the specification previously circulated to members was approved.
   2. Contract for cobbles re-laying around the War Memorial curtilage and Kirkholme frontage – Chairman to seek quotations from local contractors and possible involvement by Leeds Building College.
9. Agenda items for the next meeting
   1. None proposed.
10. The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 5 October 2022