TUNBRIDGE WELLS COMMONS CONSERVATORS Thursdav 6 Januarv 2000 Present: Councillors Price, Scholes, Mrs Slowgrove and Wigley Baron Nicolas van den Branden, Messrs Butler, Butt, Chapman, Freeman, Hall and Hill. Mr David Wakefield (Friends of Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons) attended by invitation. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN 1. In accordance with the Third Schedule of the County of Kent Act 1982 it was noted that the Conservators were required at the first meeting held on or after 1 January each year to appoint a Chairman for the ensuing year. RESOLVED - That Councillor Price, a Conservator appointed by the Borough Council, be appointed as Chairman until the Annual Meeting of the Conservators in 2001. COUNCILLOR PRICE IN THE CHAIR The Chairman requested that the Conservators' appreciation of Mr Chapman's efficient and enthusiastic service as Chairman over the past year be placed on record. MEMBERSHIP 2. The Chairman reported that the under mentioned Conservators had been appointed by the bodies specified to serve for the period indicated. Tunbridae Wells Borouah Council Councillor Price ) Councillor Scholes 1 Councillor Mrs Slowgrove ) 1 January 2000 - 31 December 2000 Councillor Wigley ) Freehold Tenants Mr G Butt Mr M Chapman Third year of three year term until Mr P Freeman 31 December 2000 Mr N Hill , Manor of Rusthall t Baron Nicolas van den Branden 1 Mr G Butler ) Third year of three year term until Mr C Hall ) 31 December 2000 Mr J Hicks. 1 The Chairman welcomed Councillor Wigley to his first meeting as a Commons Conservator. APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE 3. RESOLVED - That a Committee be appointed to serve until the day of the first meeting in 2001. Members of Committee Chairman of Conservators (Councillor Price) ex officio Councillor Scholes Mr G Butler Mr M Chapman JVllNUTFS OF LAST MEETING 4. The Minutes of the meeting of the Commons Conservators held on 23 September 1999 were considered by the Conservators. RESOLVED - That (a) The Minutes be confirmed as a correct record; and (b) It be noted that the design for the sign for the Toad Rock Retreat Public House had not yet been agreed. DATES OF MEETINGS - 200012001 5. RESOLVED - That (a) Meetings of the Commons Conservators be held at 2.30 pm on the following dates:- 30 March 2000 15 June 2000 14 September 2000 11 January 2001 . (b) Meetings of the Committee of the Conservators be held as and when the Chairman feels it is necessary. WARDEN'S REPORT 6. The Warden reported that since the last meeting there had been a mainly peaceful few months on the Commons. (a) Path Re~airs cd RESOLVED - That (I) As it was felt that improved paths on the Commons lead to a greater use of car parking (Fir Tree Road Car Park in particular), a five year plan should be considered in conjunction with the Borough Council's Local Plan for highways, yellow lining, road closure, car parking etc. (ii) Major and minor paths should be designated for repair. (b) Heathland Regeneration The Warden reported that the establishment of two new heather areas on Tunbridge Wells Common had taken place and the fencing will be in position for two years. In future it was possible that grant aid would be available for this type of project. (c) The Forum Councillor Scholes pointed out that the decision to improve lighting in this area was taken before the recent incident of assault on a volunteer worker. He felt that more litter bins were required in the area of the Forum. RESOLVED - That the Warden monitor the situation. (d) Site Status The Warden reported that if the status of Tunbridge Wells Common is scheduled as a SNCI, this improved status would give a greater chance of grant funding. RESOLVED - That the Conservators' thanks to the Warden to be placed on record for his efforts in obtaining improved status for Tunbridge Wells Common. A26 RECONDITIONING SCHEME 7. It was reported that the works to recondition the A26 in the area of the Common were scheduled to commence on 31 January 2000. This would involve planing off the surface and relaying which should reduce the possibility of flooding, particularly in the Pantiles area. FINANCIAL STATEMENT 8. Financial Statement Number 3 of 1999 was submitted showing payments totalling E52,923.36and receipts of E42,128.29. A balance of f62,351.29 is carried forward. RECOMMENDED - That the accounts be approved. BUDGETARY CONTROL REPORTIPRECEPT 200012001 9. The Treasurer submitted the Budgetary Control Report to December 1999 together with a precept requirement for 2000/2001. The report also included a forecast for the following 3 years. He felt that it was prudent to keep a reserve of f 15,000. i: RESOLVED - That (a) The Chairman and Warden prioritise any major works during the current year; (b) A precept of f 85,890 be requested for 2000/2001; an increase of 5% (c) The Warden attend the Council's Committee meeting to support this application for an increase in the precept. INSURANCE COVER AGAINST VANDALISM 10. RESOLVED - That the Warden raised the question of Insurance cover against vandalism on the Common when he next meets Zurich Insurance. INSURANCE CLAIM 11. The Warden reported that he had recently received a claim for injury from a gentleman who tripped on the footpath to Sainsbury's roundabout. He is to meet Zurich lnsurance on site to discuss this claim and one previously received. sl-cc6ja. doc TUNBRIDGE WELLS COMMON CONSERVATORS Thursdav 30 March 2000 Present : Councillor Price (Chairman) Councillor Scholes Baron Nicolas van den Branden Mrs Potts Messers Butler, Chapman, Freeman, Hall and Hill Councillor D Wakefield (Friends of Tunbridge Wells & Rusthall Commons) attended by invitation. Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs Slowgrove and Mr G Butt. MINUTES 1. The Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming Mrs Sue Potts to her first meeting as a Commons Conservator. GEORGIAN FESTIVITIES Juliet Steinmetz of Leisure Services, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, gave a presentation on the proposed Georgian Festivities and asked the Commons Conservators' permission to hold a Georgian Fair on the Lower Cricket Ground on 29 July 2000 from 6.30pm to dusk, with free admission and no alcohol sold. It is anticipated that one thousand people may attend. Georgian Festivities are run by Past Pleasures, a professional body working for the Borough Council. The Council will arrange portaloos, litter clearance and ensure that all participants have Public Liability Insurance. The Chairman suggested that the portaloos should remain in place for the Primary Schools Cricket which would take place the following week. RESOLVED - that permission be granted for the Georgian Fair to take place. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING 3. The Minutes of the meeting held on 6 January 2000 were considered by the Conservators. RESOLVED - (a) The Minutes be confirmed as a correct record, and (b It be noted that Council representation on the Conservators may be changed after the Local Government Elections in May. WARDEN'S REPORT 4. The Warden submitted his report for the period ending March 2000. (a) Hiahwav Improvements - A26 RESOLVED that (i) the Warden inform Kent County Council and the Borough Council of the likely problem of flooding caused by water overflowing from drains blocked by soil from the Common. (ii) The Warden investigate the seepage from tar barrels used by Road Contractors and stored on Common Land. (b) The Forum Discussion took place as to the improvement by the Borough Council. of lighting in this area. A planning application is to be considered at the 5 April 2000 Planning Meeting. In view of the problem of the violence of young gangs meeting in the area, it was RESOLVED - that (i) the Clerk write to the Chief Constable expressing concern at the present situation and (ii) the Clerk ensure that the Borough Council improve lighting as a matter of urgency with rapid action after the planning decision and (iii) the Clerk report back to the next meeting of the Conservators, and (iv) the Warden monitor the situation as to satisfactory lighting. (c) Dinalev Dell Whilst no liability is admitted as to the damaged wall, the Clerk write to Mrs Torpey stating that the maintenance of the wall is not the Conservators' responsibility; a copy of this letter being to sent to the Conservators Insurers as there may be a possible future claim. (d) Cricket Festival RESOLVED - that (a) No objection be raised by the Commons Conservators to the holding of this festival. (The Manor pointed out that as yet no approach had been made to them for permission to hold the festival and it should be emphasised that this is necessary.) (b) The Borough Council should be asked that the portaloos booked for the Georgian Funfair should be left in place for the Primary Schools Cricket Festival. (e) The Cottaae RESOLVED - that (a) No objection be raised to the improvement of the gas pipes to The Cottage. (b) Permission be not granted for the installation of lighting columns on the footpath from Hungershall Park to The Cottage. The owners of The Cottage should be informed that planning permission would be required for lighting columns and also a suggestion made that an approach be made to the adjacent land owners that lighting columns may be installed on their properties. (f) Work Schedules RESOLVED - that the work schedules be noted and that suggested path repairs be agreed. FINANCIAL STATEMENT 5. Financial Statement Number 4 of 1999 was submitted showing payments of f21,699.1 5 and receipts of f 1,458.87, a balance of f42,l II .O1 being carried forward. The budgetary control report and projection for the year showed a net expenditure of f 6,000 below the previous projection.