Action

1.

Minutes of the Meeting held 29^th October were approved –

proposed Mr Redpath, 2^nd Mrs Whatmore.

2.

Matters Arising

Mrs Whatmore asked for details of the letter from Trinity School (copy given post meeting);  Mr & Mrs Whatmore reported that they had recently sent a second copy of their letter to the Vice Chairman of the Community Forum regarding their views on the Recreation Ground and expected a reply this time.

MD

3.

Chairman’s Report

The Chairman reported that administration of our charity would now be handled by the “small charities office” of the Charity Commission based at Liverpool – the address had been circulated to all members.  The Annual Return for the charity had been completed and sent to the Charity Commission.

4.

Correspondence

None, other than the three quotations to be discussed under item 8 on the Agenda.

5.

Report from Chairman of Recreation Ground & Open Spaces Committee

Mr A Dedden reported that the Committee had last met on 4^th November 03.  The concrete areas relating to the cricket pitch and pavilion base had now been removed and this seemed to have reduced the incidence of broken glass in this area.

The dead tree had been removed from the play area and the remaining stump and other stumps were due to be removed.  The Town Clerk was organising this.  The dead tree was to be replaced in 2 years by a memorial tree for Eddie Davis.

The two seats behind the Memorial Hall have been removed and are being renovated before being placed near the Petanque pitch. 

The Disability Audit Report had been received, but has yet to be reviewed.  All necessary action will be taken.

The future plan is the continued improvement of the quality of the grass in stages and the Council were seeking estimates.  It is proposed to erect a noticeboard near the Memorial Hall.

Mr Whatmore queried the responsibilities regarding clearing litter from the ditches.  It is not part of normal maintenance or litter picking responsibilities but would be dealt with separately.

Mr Christopher stated that the teenagers who used the area at the top of the Recreation Ground had asked if two litter bins could be provided.  Mr Dedden will discuss with the Town Clerk.

6.

Public Contribution - none

7.

Quotations for New Memorial Stones

After discussion of the quotes, Mr Redpath proposed that the quote by Wessex Memorials be accepted subject to the Chairman sighting and approving other stones prepared by this company.

MD

It was proposed that the new stone on Ferrett Green should bear the message –

“At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them”.  The Secretary to write to the Royal British Legion for their approval.

ADa

8.

Constitution

The Chairman informed the Trustees that the original conveyance document for the Recreation Ground from 1920 was held in the Town Council safe.

Mr Dedden outlined proposed amendments to the draft Constitution downloaded from the Charity Commission website.  It was agreed that the position of Chairman should be held for a maximum of 4 years.  Mr Dedden will prepare the draft Constitution on this basis.

Mrs Dedden suggested that the Secretary write to the Charity Commission asking whether members of the public could be Trustees alongside some members of the Town Council.

ADe

ADa

9.

Any Other Business

a)

It was agreed that once the new Constitution had been finalised, the Recreation Ground should be registered with Land Registry.

MD

b)

Mr Dedden reported on a seminar he had attended regarding play area equipment and responsibilities regarding water in ditches.  This was of concern regarding the Recreation Ground and he would be reporting this to the Recreation Ground Committee.