Penkridge Parish Council
Minutes of the Recreation and Amenities Committee Meeting
held on 27th July 2023 at 7.20 pm at the Haling Dene Centre
Audio recordings will be made of all Ordinary and Special Council meetings and Committee meetings,
with the inclusion of confidential matters.
Present
Councillor Andrew Lenz [Chairman]
“ Alan Smallwood [Vice-Chairman]
“ Mrs Helen Adams
“ Ron Kenyon
“ Gary Poston
Non-Committee Members in Attendance were Cllrs Andrew Adams, Mrs Petula Hughes and Victor Kelly
Parish Administrator Lesley Hough
There were two members of the Public in attendance
Part I – Public Session
1614. APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from:
Committee Members – Cllr Mrs Vivienne Smith
Non Committee Members – Cllrs Mrs Jo Chapman, Sam Harper-Wallis and Anthony Minshall
1615. VIDEO/AUDIO RECORDING
[a] Members of the Council and Public in attendance who declared they were video/recording the
meeting were Cllrs Andrew Lenz.
1616. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllrs Mrs Helen Adams and Andrew Lenz declared an interest in Item 10 – Allotments.
1617. DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTEREST (DPI)
DPIs had been submitted from Cllrs Mrs Helen Adams and Andrew Lenz for Item 10 – Allotments
1618. MINUTES
Resolved that:
[a] The minutes of the meeting of 25th May 2023 be approved as a true and correct record and signed
by the Chairman.
[b] The Follow Up Sheets were received for the May meeting.
1619. INCOME AND EXPENDITURE
[a] The Recreation and Amenities printouts for the year to date were received.
[b] The Burial Ground printouts for the year to date were received.
Recreation & Amenities
1620. PENKRIDGE COMMUNITY MANAGED LIBRARY
[a] The Penkridge Community Library Volunteers Meeting minutes were received from their meetings of
10th May and 12th July.
281
1621. PLAY AREAS
[a] The PA gave an update on the Heron Play Area upgrade.
The draft Lease and signed Section 106 Agreement had been retuned to South Staffordshire Council
on 14th July but there was no update when the funds would be released. Kompan had been
contacted to see if it was too late to place an order for September installation, but the PA had not
yet received a reply.
1622. WILDLIFE CAMERAS
[a] It was noted that there have been no issues found on the above.
[b] It was noted the camera in the Haling Dene Grounds had been removed/stolen.
[c] Consideration was given to alternative locations for the camera currently in the Burial Ground.
Resolved that the camera remain in the Burial Ground at this moment in time.
[d] Consideration was given to purchasing an additional camera.
Resolved that an additional camera not be purchased.
1623. SPEED INDICATOR DEVICE
[a] Consideration was given to the PA’s report with regard to the grant application for the above and
costing for a new unit.
The Parish Council were waiting for a decision from Staffordshire County Council if they will award a
grant towards the cost of a SID.
The PA advised if the Committee wished to purchase more SIDs in the next financial year the cost
had to be incorporated into the budgets when they were considered at the November Financial
and Resources meeting.
1624. ALLOTMENTS
Cllrs Mrs Helen Adams, Andrew Adams and Andrew Lenz left the room and the Vice Chairman, Cllr
Smallwood, chaired the meeting.
[a] Consideration was given to the updates to the Allotment Rules and Regulations.
Resolved that the updates be approved and under the header of Disposal of Waste the wording
‘All waste must be taken away’ be in bold.
[b] The allotment holder uncultivated letters sent out following inspections were received.
[c] It was noted that the boundary hedge to the Wolgarston Way allotments would be cut back
following the nesting season.
[d] The PA advised that the plan for the tap extension upgrade at Francis Green Lane allotments was
not available to circulate to all Councillors and this item would be included on the October agenda.
Resolved that the tap upgrade, together with the map be included on the October agenda for
consideration.
Burial Ground
1625. BURIAL GROUND FENCE
The PA advised that she had contacted Carnell for an update on the work to be undertaken to the
Burial Ground Pond Fence. If they were unable to undertake the work she would obtain quotations
for the work to be carried out and place these on the September Full Council agenda for
consideration. Costings could then be obtained to have the whole fence replaced in next financial
year.
1626. GRASS CUTTING
Consideration was given to the frequency of cuts and the possibility of rewilding with meadow
flowers.
Resolved that the grass cutting remain as it is and there be no rewilding with meadow flowers.
1627. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday 26th October 2023 at 8.30 pm.
The meeting closed at 8.18 pm
Chair: _____________________________ Date: _____________________________