Present: Cllrs Matthews (chairman), Doyle, Gadd, Meredith-Hardy and Standley; Ralph Miller (Wadhurst Tennis Club) and Keith Curtis (Wadhurst United Junior Football Club).

Also attending: Bob Penny (caretaker).

1 To receive apologies and note reason for absence
Cllr Clark was away.

2 To receive declarations of interest in items on the agenda
Cllr Matthews declared a personal interest in item 6.2 as a member of Wadhurst Tennis Club.

3 To approve the minutes of the meeting held 16th June 2001
Minutes approved without amendments.

4 To determine matters arising from the previous minutes
A key has been cut for the boiler room and will be placed in a breakable glass box. This will allow users access to the gas cut off switch in case of an emergency. Written instructions will be placed next to the box.

5. Public Forum
No members of the public were present.

6 Tennis matters
6.1 To receive report.
A judicial review has supported some residents’ objection to the way in which Wealden District Council made its decision to award planning permission to Wadhurst Tennis Club to erect floodlights. WDC is awaiting legal opinion on whether a full Environmental Impact Assessment is necessary.

Mr Miller reported that the quality of the court surfaces was affecting play: depressions are visible; sand is sitting on top of surface. The Tennis Club asked that the courts be resurfaced. The parish council has a reserve of £40000 earmarked for this purpose.

Action: Ralph Miller will research tennis court surfaces.
Action: Clerk, Chairman and Cllr Doyle to manage procurement in accordance with Financial Regulations.

6.2 To consider renewal of hire agreement terms
The meeting noted the Parish Council’s decisions: to extend the agreement put in place in 2004; not to attempt to recover the underpayment last year resulting from a misapprehension on the part of the tennis club that its rental had been frozen; to calculate this year’s rent based on what the figure for last year should have been.
The rental for this year will be £10555.49 (including VAT), plus 20% of all subscription income over £14000, and an additional 10% of all rental income over £15000.
The council will need to consider whether to extend the agreement again before 31st March 2012, although the committee’s view was that no new agreement could be put in place until the tennis club’s future was clearer.

Note after meeting: Calculation of the rental for this year revealed that there was no underpayment by Wadhurst Tennis Club last year; the rental was frozen because the measure of inflation used to calculate the annual increase was negative.

6.3 To approve cost of repairs to tennis gate lock.
Approved spend of £140.94 (including VAT) for repair of lock by Astra Security.

7 Junior Football Matters
Committee members were given a copy of the new season members’ guide.

7.1 To receive report
All teams visiting Sparrow’s Green will be informed by email of the need to reduce the number of cars using the ground, and the ban on dogs at the ground.

Following the disbandment of Ticehurst JFC, Wadhurst United JFC has secured the use of Ticehurst’s sports field. This makes a total of 10 pitches for the club. Wadhurst and Ticehurst senior footballers have given access to their fields for older members of the Wadhurst JFC. Therefore traffic and parking problems at Sparrow’s Green will reduce despite the club now having perhaps 250 members.

Mr Curtis handed over a cheque for £4550. This is a further donation towards the cost of the Voelcker field improvements. The new pitch is expected to be ready for play at the end of October. As there were no tree protection orders on the back field the club went ahead with cutting back tree branches overhanging the pitch as agreed. The contractor has been asked to continue cutting the field until it is well established; the cost of this has been met by the club. The allotment field will be reseeded and fertilised. Access to the allotments from the field should be restored by the end of September.

An officer from the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty will meet Cllr Matthews and the clerk to discuss maintenance and improvement of the hedge between the Main and Voelcker fields. It is likely work will begin within the next few weeks; the cost will be met by the Junior Football Club.

The main pitch has been fertilised and seeded by the club. This has not been completely successful and has had to be repeated in parts. The area around the goal wall is particularly problematical.

The club is concerned that the path from the Pavilion to the Voelcker Field will become a quagmire again this year, and suggests using rubber matting such as has been used around the storage container.

Action: Keith Curtis to provide quotation for rubber matting.

The club is concerned that the new pitch will be damaged by large numbers of adults playing on it.

Action: Clerk to arrange sign stating that pitch is to be used by under 18s only.
Action: Clerk to send letter to Nikwax office pointing this out and explaining reason.

7.2 To note Clerk’s finding that there are no Tree Protection Orders on the recreation ground trees.
Noted.

7.3 To note High Weald AONB Unit’s observations regarding hedge maintenance.
Meeting postponed until 2nd September 2011. Committee noted the Parish Council’s previous approval of hedge work and agreed that the work should proceed as advised by the High Weald AONB unit officer, providing the chairman approved.

8.0 Play area and equipment.
8.1 To note RoSPA inspection not yet completed.
RoSPA has failed to provide a date for inspecting the play equipment despite requests from the clerk. The clerk has asked for a date as soon as possible. The equipment and bark are inspected by the caretaker once a week.

8.2 To discuss pagoda project.
The committee supported in principle the chairman’s proposal to erect a hexagonal, open sided wooden shelter, with seating on the grass triangle between the tennis courts and the Voelcker Field. The shelter would provide an area for families to congregate; for spectators to use during football matches; and for teenagers to gather away from smaller children, but still in view. It is hoped the shelter will be erected in spring 2012.

The committee felt that a wooden floor was necessary and that a local contractor should be asked to erect the shelter.

The cost of the project is likely to be in the region of £5000. The chairman has approached community organisations to seek funding. The project could be part of the village’s celebrations of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

8.3 To discuss sensory garden.
The committee reviewed a plan produced by Cllr Meredith-Hardy (see appendix) proposing two benches be placed near the toddlers play area and a garden created behind it. The committee approved spending of up to £2000 for the purchase and installation of two benches.

Action: Chairman and Cllr Clark to choose and arrange installation of two benches.
Action: Cllr Meredith-Hardy to approach village organisations to ask that they take on the garden project.

Cllr Gadd left the meeting at 8:55 pm.

8.4 To consider the need for adequate lighting between the pavilion and top car park.
The committee agreed the most appropriate type of lighting would be dim LED units embedded in the path, operated by a sensor, with a timer to prevent use late at night.

Action: Cllr Standley to produce a technical specification and complete a planning application for the committee’s approval. WPC planning committee will be consulted.

9 Pavilion
9.1 To note replacement of CCTV monitor.
The committee voted thanks to TVR for donating a CCTV monitor.

Action: Clerk to write to TVR.

10 To consider maintenance and operating issues and improvements and authorise expenditure
The chairman reported pavilion has lost a regular booking. The user had also taken three tables belonging to him, but used by other users including the council. The committee resolved to spend up to £1000 on purchasing three new tables of a similar design.

Action: Clerk and caretaker to arrange purchase and delivery of tables.

10.1 To note satisfactory Electrical Safety Test report
Noted.

10.2 To note request from KHL to take up offer of ten car-parking spaces.
The committee approved a temporary agreement with KHL to allow the company to use 10 car parking spaces between 9 am and 5 pm from Monday to Friday. The company will be charged £100 plus VAT.

Action: Clerk to write to KHL confirming agreement.

10.3 To approve actions resulting from Health and Safety audit carried out on 19th August, 2011.
The caretaker has completed most of the actions required by the inspector and has the others in hand. The committee approved the purchase of new belts for the mower at a cost of £123.82 (including VAT).

10.4 To discuss advertising of pavilion hall hire in Focus magazine.
The committee approved a quarter page advertisement in the Focus magazine at a cost of £60 per annum.

Action: Cllr Meredith-Hardy and Cllr Doyle to produce the advertisement.

11 Budget.

11.1 To note 2011/12 budget.
Noted, along with spend against budget.

Action: Clerk to include column with committed spending on budget spreadsheet.

11.2 To consider budget requirements for 2012/13.
The committee discussed the purpose and future need for the reserves for maintenance and tennis court resurfacing.

Action: Chairman and Cllr Doyle to circulate draft committee budget by email.

12 Urgent issues at the discretion of the Chairman for noting or inclusion on future agenda.
The council has received further correspondence from Wealden District Council following an anonymous complaint by a local resident that the aerial runway (zip wire) is excessively noisy. The committee noted that the wire was regularly greased; that it had been in place for many years without complaint; and that it was locked at night. The chairman has written to the Wealden officer explaining the recent changes in the committee following the election, and asking for copies of previous correspondence.

Action: Chairman to place item on agenda of committee or full parish council meeting when appropriate.
Action: Cllr Standley to make enquiries at Wealden District Council.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 1st December at 730 pm in the Pavilion.

Appendix

Sensory Garden at Sparrows Green Recreation Ground
An Idea By BMH

• A garden where parents can sit opposite each other and chat while their toddlers can run freely behind them.
• Imagine a child running with their hand outstretched along a bank of different fragranced and textured plants.
• A place where someone in a wheelchair can enjoy plants close up.
• Somewhere where the plants come in all sorts of different textures, smells, sights and sounds, some will even taste nice too.
• An area which attracts wildlife and looks good.

The idea is to have a low bank planted with sensory plants which all can access. The bank will go in a wiggly loop with an entrance. In the entrance will be two benches seated in the bank sited opposite each other. I have noticed that benches sited opposite each other in a park makes a very social area where people can sit and interact freely. Having them in a line is a bit unfriendly. The area beyond the benches will make a secure area for toddlers to run and play. Having the plants on a bank will make them accessible to someone on a wheelchair. The bank will make it safe for someone with a visual impairment to experience the different senses of the garden. (obviously we should take advise on the do’s and don’ts of disabled access)

The bank would be made by digging up the turf where the bank is to go laying down some hardcore covering that with turf and covering that with topsoil mixed in with plenty of organic matter. The bank will then be planted and mulched probably with more organic matter. The plants will deliberately low maintenance and drought tolerant. I would like to see as many edible plants as possible. The ground area in-between and around the edges can easily be the existing grass. There might be an issue with the edges and grass, a brick laid flush into the ground will solve that.

The construction of the garden would not be very expensive. It would be even cheaper if we could interest some community group to help build and/or maintain it. The most expensive thing would be the materials and construction of the benches.

This is a working plan there are many other features and innovation that can be incorporated. Have a look at-
http://www.phoenixgarden.btck.co.uk/

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/559917915EAnkJg

Plants mainly low and fragrant, easy to maintain.

Lavendula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ Lavender
Helichrysum italicum Curry Plant
Rosmarinus officinalis Rosemary
Thymus officianallis Thyme
Salvia officinalis Sage
Salvia officinalis ‘Purpurascens’ Purple sage
Mentha Mint
Melissa officinalis Lemon balm
Monarda didyma Bergamot
Myrrhis odorata Sweet Cicerly
Origanum vulgare 'Aureum' Origarno


Suggestions taken from the BBC site

Sight
Children love bright colours and these eye-catching flowers and leaves are sure to be popular. They also make great subjects for drawings and paintings.
1. Sunflowers, Helianthus annuus; a bright, bold-looking flower that can grow up to 30cm (1ft) in height in a week!
2. Pot marigold, Calendula; bright orange daisies that are easy to grow from seed.
3. Chameleon plant, Houttuynia cordata; amazing three-toned foliage that smells of lemon.
4. Swiss chard 'Bright Lights'; the brightly-coloured stems and foliage of this unusual vegetable are as tasty as they are beautiful.
5. Heuchera 'Chocolate Ruffles'; purple leaves with chocolate-coloured undersides and pretty, pale pink flowers.
Sound
Sit in your garden and encourage your children to listen to all the sounds of nature around you: the bees buzzing, the birds singing and the sound of the wind rustling the plants.
1. Greater quaking grass, Briza maxima; an annual grass whose nodding flowers rustle in the wind
2. Love-in-a-mist, Nigella damascena; bright blue flowers which form puffy seed-heads that rattle when shaken.
3. Miscanthus oligostachyus 'Nanus Variegatus'; pretty bamboo-like foliage, striped yellow and cream, that creates a rustling noise.
4. Sweet corn; another rustler and good to eat too!
5. Bamboo, Phyllostachys; pretty foliage that whispers in the wind while its stems knock together, creating a hollow sound. Larger bamboo canes are great for making wind chimes with.
Touch
Leaves vary between plants; from rough to smooth, furry to spiky. Get your children to touch these plants and describe what they feel like. You can also explain to them that every texture has a purpose. For instance, furry leaves protect the plants from extremes of hot and cold weather, succulent ones help to store water and sharp spines stop the plants from being eaten by hungry insects.
1. Lamb's ears, Stachys byzantina; it's easy to see how this plant got its common name when you touch the silky foliage.
2. Silver sage, Salvia argentea; a cotton wool-like down covers its large, silvery-white leaves.
3. Jerusalem sage, Phlomis fruticosa; soft, downy leaves and stems with pretty yellow flowers.
4. Houseleek, Sempervivum 'Commander Hay'; a rosette-forming succulent that produces flowers on long stems. Leaves are rigid to the touch.
5. African sundew, Drosera capensis; meat-eating plant that catches its prey using a glue-like substance on the surface of its leaves - watch out, it's sticky to touch!
Smell
The heady fragrances given off by flowers and leaves are wonderful to enjoy in our gardens. The smells often have a purpose too, such as attracting insects to the flowers or deterring pests from eating leaves. See if your children can recognise a few of the more common smells below.
1. Curry plant, Helichrysum italicum; curry-scented leaves give off a spicy aroma on a warm, sunny day.
2. Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote'; the classic scent of an summer garden. Cut and dry the flowers for use indoors.
3. Chocolate cosmos, Cosmos atrosanguineus; beautiful deep red flowers that give off a chocolate/vanilla scent - bound to be a hit with the children.
4. Sweet pea, Lathyrus odoratus; pretty flowering climber that gives off a strong sweet scent. Cut the flowers regularly to encourage more growth.
5. Heuchera 'Chocolate Ruffles'; purple leaves with chocolate-coloured undersides and pretty, pale pink flowers.
Taste
There are so many delicious plants that it's difficult to choose just a few. As most gardeners know, our fruits, vegetables and herbs are not only tasty to us - animals and insects love them too! Many plants have great tasting fruits to attract animals to eat them and disperse their seeds for them.
1. Spearmint, Mentha spicata; a vigorous growing herb that tastes great with peas or new potatoes!
2. Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis; highly fragrant leaves, used to flavour meat and fish. Plant it in a place where people will brush by and release its scent.
3. Nasturtium, Tropaeolum majus; it's possible to make a colourful salad from the beautiful, peppery orange, red or yellow flowers of the nasturtium, as well as its foliage.
4. Chives, Allium schoenoprasum; as well as having delicious foliage that can be used in salads, this plant also produces pretty flowers in pink, mauve or purple.
5. Wild strawberry, Fragaria vesca; children will love hunting for the small, sweet, delicious fruit.