1.            To receive apologies and reason for absence.
Apologies were received, and reasons noted, from Cllr. Mrs. Gadd. Cllr. Meredith previously advised that he would be ten minutes late for the start of the meeting.

2.            To receive declarations of interests on items on the agenda.
The following personal interests were declared:-
Cllr. Mrs Matthews – item 6
Cllr. Clark – item 6
Cllr. Doyle – items 10.1 and 12.2

5.            Public Forum – time limit 15 minutes.
Members received a presentation promoting the idea of establishing a skate park for use by children with scooters, skateboards and BMX bikes as they are popular in neighbouring towns. Discussion covered issues of features, construction materials, noise levels, size of plot required and where such a facility might be sited. Resolved that the clerk contact neighbouring towns to learn of their experiences. The presenters to suggest suitable sites in the village to the members.

Cllr. Meredith-Hardy arrived 19:40

3.            To approve the minutes of the meeting held 1st December, 2011.
Approved.

4.            To determine matters arising from the previous minutes.
4.1          (4) Advert now included in FOCUS.
The clerk directed to question hirers concerning how they heard of the pavilion availability.

4.2          (4) Zip wire report not yet received. Chased.
The Sovereign installation manager is to visit during the first week in March.

4.3          (6.2) To note that £856 will no longer need to be re-imbursed from WTC rent as earmarked reserve total is £42,500 and not £40,000.
Noted.

4.4          (7.3) To note completion of fencing to corner of Voelcker field at a cost of £400 +VAT.
Noted as being successful.

4.5          (7.5) To note completion of worm treatment spraying.
Noted.

4.6          (8.1) To note additional information being supplied to Playdale to complete work on anchoring of steps.
The clerk directed to contact Jill Watson of Playdale if issue not resolved quickly.

4.7          (9.1) New deal for gas supply can’t be negotiated until before the end of February, 2012.
Noted.

4.8          (10.1) Quotes received range up to £300 for disabled bay marking. To approve costs and agree siting of disabled bay.
Resolved to approve costs of up to £500 + VAT for marking of disabled bay nearest to the removable fencing bar and hatched area at beginning of path from car park to pavilion.

4.9          (10.2) B & W instructed to complete lighting to bottom step at lower car park.
Due to be completed shortly.

6.            Tennis Matters.
6.1          To receive report.
Members learnt from Mr. Miller that the court re-surfacing work should be completed within a matter of days with sign-off due on 29th February, 2012 and that Wealden DC were to re-open the application for floodlighting and were currently taking legal advice as to the need to update reports and surveys. Subscription receipts were down for the year to 31st December with the club operating at near break-even.

6.2          To note £1,176 reduction in costs of re-surfacing as ducting found to be already in place between courts two and three.
Noted.

6.3          To discuss and agree funding, if appropriate, relating to request from WTC to repair/maintain tennis court perimeter fencing.
Members heard from Mr. Miller that maintenance of the tennis court perimeter fencing was required following ten years of wear and tear and not as a result of damage due to the wind-break screening. Resolved to approve costs of up to £500 + VAT.

6.4          To review and consider terms for extension of Tennis Club rent agreement.
Members reminded that, historically, the rent agreement had been revolving and that a more detailed review would be appropriate. Mr. Miller, together with Cllrs. Doyle and Standley to report back at the next RGMC meeting so that a recommendation could be made to the full council. Resolved to roll over the existing agreement until the end of June, 2012, as an interim measure, pending the findings of Mr. Miller and Cllrs. Doyle and Standley.

7.            Junior Football Matters.
7.1          To receive report.
Members learnt from Mr. Curtis that a football coaching school, which would be open to all children, was to be run for three days from the 2nd to the 4th of April, 2012 at Sparrows Green. A complaint had been made to him concerning the poor state of one area of the main playing fields, requiring roller treatment, which he felt would not have been as a result of use by the WUJFC.

7.2          To discuss and, if appropriate, approve funding relating to providing extra grass protection mats for path to Voelcker field.
Members agreed that the existing matted area had been successful and resolved to approve costs of up to £450 +VAT to provide extra grass protection mats between the pavilion and entrance to the Voelcker field.

7.3          To review and consider terms for extension of Junior Football Club rent agreement.
Reviewed and resolved to recommend to full council that the existing terms of the Junior Football Club agreement be extended for a further year.

8.            Play Area/Equipment.
8.1          To discuss pagoda project.
Members were reminded that full council had resolved to approve costs of up to £1,200 to meet the shortfall in purchase price after Cllr. Mrs. Matthews had been notified that no further reduction in price could be achieved. The clerk directed to obtain quotes for a matching rubbish bin for the pagoda area, order the pagoda, obtain quotes for a ‘jubilee’ plaque and discuss the possibility of the Primary school providing a time capsule to be buried under the foundations of the pagoda.

8.2          To discuss sensory garden.
Members learnt that the new benches would be added when the tennis court re-surfacing project had been completed and that wildflower meadow plants be introduced at the tennis court end of the sensory garden, leaving sufficient clear path at the tennis court perimeter fencing and allowing for a clear area close to the hedge for it to be cut.

9.            Pavilion.
9.1          To note completion of ‘in the event of gas leak’ work.
Noted. Mr. Milsom has seen, and approves.

10.          To consider maintenance/operating issues and improvements and authorise expenditure.
10.1        To discuss request from ROAA for additional land to use as allotments.
The area identified by the ROAA adjacent to the tennis courts is not suitable as it contains the soak-aways for the tennis courts and playing fields. The clerk directed to advise ROAA accordingly but arrange for further discussion relating to the shortage of allotment plots at the next full council meeting.

10.2        To discuss progress regarding low level lighting between pavilion and top car park.
Only one contractor has quoted so far and the clerk is directed to chase the two remaining contractors and request details of the lowest wattage that would be considered appropriate.

10.3        To discuss and, if appropriate, approve funding relating to conclusion of tree management report.
The previously circulated report relating to the condition of the trees at the Voelcker field was discussed and resolved that the clerk be directed to ascertain which trees were in need of urgent attention.

11.          Budget.
11.1        To review spend to date.
Reviewed.

12.          General Matters.
12.1        To note change of next meeting date from 31st May, 2012 to 7th June, 2012.
Noted.

12.2        To discuss allotment holder’s request regarding boundary fence and hedge.
Previously discussed at full council meeting.

12.3        To agree content of article for Newsletter.
Ideas considered for inclusion include pagoda, sensory garden benches, tennis court re-surfacing and coppicing.

13.          Urgent issues at the discretion of the Chairman for noting or inclusion on future agenda.
A discussion regarding the possibility of agreeing to snacks being sold at the recreation ground concluded that the clerk be directed to obtain more information before being put to the committee. An agenda item to review the hiring/letting policy should be added to the items for discussion at the next meeting of the Recreation Ground Management committee for recommendations to be put to the full council.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9:20 p.m.