LEISURE SUB-COMMITTEE

Meeting held at the Civic Centre, on Tuesday 25 February 1997 at 7.30pm

Councillor Paul Barker (Chair) Councillor Tony Burles (Vice-Chair)

Councillors: Lindsay Bliss George Cooper Michael Gibson *Karen Livney Neil Sherry Marion Way

Advisory Members: Ian Cantley + Philip Colehan Ian Grant Peter Horn * Terry Reader

+ Denotes apologies submitted * Denotes other member absent

1. MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 January 1997 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

2. CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS IN PUBLIC

The Sub-Committee agreed that all its business would be dealt with in public.

3. SECTION 106 OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE ACT 1992

It was noted that no items fell within the provisions of Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

RECOMMENDATION

4. LAND AT PARK WOOD, - LAND SURPLUS TO EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - ITEM 2

There were two areas of land in Park Wood which were held by the Education Committee but which were not required for any education purpose.

Bayhurst Wood was presently held by the Finance and Property Sub-Committee as it formed part of the Green Belt Estates that had been transferred to the Council on the abolition of the Council.

It was proposed that in order to bring control of the whole of Ruislip Woods under one Committee, these three areas of land be transferred to the Community and Environment Committee.

Leisure Sub-Committee Minutes - 25 February 1997 Page 1 RECOMMENDED - (1) That subject to the land being declared surplus to requirements by the Education Committee, and to the concurrence of the Finance and Property Sub-Committee, the site of the former Battle of Britain House and the area known as Grub Ground, which are both in Park Wood, be transferred to the Community and Environment Committee.

(2) That the Finance and Property Sub-Committee be asked to consider transferring to the Community and Environment Committee land at Bayhurst Wood presently held as part of the Green Belt estates, in order that the whole of the Ruislip Woods is held by one single Committee.

5. ALLOTMENTS - ITEM 5

Consideration was given to a proposal that allotment charges be reviewed every two years rather than once a year as at present.

The Sub-Committee was also informed that at present allotment land was held by the Finance and Property Sub-Committee following a decision to transfer it to that Sub- Committee in the late 1980’s. It was suggested that with the re-creation of a Leisure Sub-Committee and the appointment to it of an advisory representative of the Horticultural and Allotment Federation, it was now more appropriate for allotment land to be held by the Community and Environment Committee.

These matters had been discussed with the Hillingdon Horticultural and Allotment Federation and had their support.

RECOMMENDED: (1) That the level of charges for allotments be considered every two years.

(2) That subject to the concurrence of the Finance and Property Sub- Committee, allotment sites be transferred to the Community and Environment Committee.

RESOLUTIONS

6. RUISLIP WOODS MANAGEMENT - NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE APPROVED BODY STATUS - ITEM 1

Progress towards the adoption of the Ruislip Woods National Nature Reserve Long Term Management Plan was reported to the meeting.

RESOLVED - (1) That the new Ruislip Woods National Nature Reserve Long Term Management Plan be adopted.

(2) That through the aims and objectives set out in the management plan the site be managed with the intention of maintaining and enhancing the nature conservation interests across the full range of habitats, not just woodland.

Leisure Sub-Committee Minutes - 25 February 1997 Page 2 (3) That within the constraints of local authority resources, the reserve be managed to the necessary quality.

(4) That the Sub-Committee thanks members of the Ruislip Woods Management Advisory Group (Ruislip Woods Trust) for the substantial amount of work done in producing the new management plan.

7. PARK CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND - ITEM 3

A previous meeting of the Sub-Committee had requested a report on the cost of improving the children’s playground in Hillingdon Court Park. This was now reported to the meeting and it was noted that the estimated cost was between £70,000 and £80,000. There were no resources available for this.

The Sub-Committee was informed that many of the children’s playgrounds in the borough were in need of updating and that officers had begun to devise a playground strategy in order to ascertain the extent to which improvements were needed and to use as a basis for prioritising schemes.

The advisory member from Hillingdon Sports Council indicated that the Lawn Tennis Association was involved in a proposal to improve the tennis facilities at Hillingdon Court Park. The Bowls Club at the Park was keen to become involved in this and it was suggested that the children’s playground be also included. The officers advised that discussions were still continuing with the Tennis Association.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted and the production of a playground strategy be endorsed.

8. VILLAGE POND - ITEM 4

Quotations had been received for works to re-line Harefield Village Pond and negotiations with the company that submitted the lowest of these had further reduced the price.

It was understood that a sum of money that was sufficient to pay for the works, would be available from a Section 106 Planning Agreement.

RESOLVED - That subject to the securing of funding via a Section 106 Agreement, approval be given to the acceptance of the quotation from M J Clancy & Sons Ltd.

9. ADDITIONAL FAIR SITES - ITEM 6

For a number of years now there had been 7 Council owned sites in the borough each of which was let to the same fair proprietor for one fair per year.

An approach had been made from Roses Pleasure Fairs for two additional sites to be made available at Larch Crescent open space and Connaught Recreation Ground.

Leisure Sub-Committee Minutes - 25 February 1997 Page 3 The report to the Sub-Committee suggested that a reduced level of fee for the use might be appropriate, however Members suggested that the fee should be at the usual daily rate charged for other sites. The byelaws restricted the hours of operation to 10.30 am to 10 pm and it was suggested that the fair operator be requested to consider an earlier closing time in view of the close proximity of the two sites to neighbouring properties.

RESOLVED - (1) That approval be given for Roses Pleasure Fairs to use Larch Crescent Open Space and Connaught Recreation Ground to operate a fair in 1997.

(2) That each fair does not exceed 5 days in duration.

(3) That the results of the use be reported to a future meeting of the Sub-Committee before any approval for use in future years is granted.

10. HAYES CARNIVAL - 2ND DAY - ITEM 7

The centrepiece attraction for the 1997 Hayes Carnival was an American Civil War Battle Re-enactment in . The group providing this would be on the site for the entire weekend and had requested approval to stage a second battle on the Sunday. The Sub-Committee considered extending to the second day other activities which formed part of the carnival.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to a second day of activities in Barra Hall Park as part of the Hayes Carnival in 1997.

11. HAYES CARNIVAL - SPONSORSHIP - ITEM 8

A request had been made from a tobacco company for permission to have a promotional caravan in Barra Hall Park during the Hayes Carnival. The Sub- Committee noted that the company might also be willing to sponsor the Carnival.

Following a brief discussion it was agreed that existing practice be confirmed and that no approach be made to the company seeking sponsorship from them for the carnival, nor that the company be allowed to have a promotional caravan at the Carnival.

Members confirmed that officers should continue to seek whatever sponsorship that was appropriate for events and activities.

RESOLVED: (1) That existing practice concerning sponsorship of Council activities by tobacco companies be confirmed and no action be taken to pursue sponsorship of Hayes Carnival by a tobacco company.

(2) That the request from a tobacco company to have a promotional caravan on a site at the Hayes Carnival be refused.

12. SPORTS ACHIEVERS - ITEM 9

Leisure Sub-Committee Minutes - 25 February 1997 Page 4 The previous meeting of the Sub-Committee had approved the principle of a Sports Achievers scheme. The report now before members set out the detailed proposals.

There was a brief discussion about whether the Scheme would also take place in future years and if it did, it was suggested that a further award category be included for a junior coach/assistant.

RESOLVED - (1) That approval be given to the proposals for a Sports Achievers scheme.

(2) That the names of the recipients of the awards be notified to the June meeting of the Sub-Committee.

13. LEISURE FACILITIES - FREE OFF-PEAK USE - ITEM 10

Approval was sought to enable various sports clubs training for the London Youth Games to train free of charge in off peak times at the boroughs leisure facilities.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to free use of Council Sports facilities by clubs training for the London Heathrow Youth Games, subject to no other paid bookings having been made for the facilities.

14. SALES OF EDUCATIONAL ITEMS IN LIBRARIES - ITEM 11

Details of a proposal to sell educational items through libraries in the borough, were reported to the meeting.

RESOLVED - That the Libraries, Arts and Information Service enters into an agreement with Schofield and Sims Ltd. to sell educational materials through libraries according to the procedures outlined in the officers report, initially for one year.

15. PROMOTIONAL BOOKMARKS IN LIBRARIES - ITEM 12

Discussions had taken place with a private company about the supply and distribution of promotional bookmarks in libraries.

RESOLVED - That the Libraries, Arts and Information Service enter into an agreement, initially for one year, with Community Media Ltd, for the supply and distribution of promotional bookmarks on the terms outlined in the officers report.

16. LIBRARIES AND RECREATION TEAM ACTION PLAN - ITEM 13

The Team Managers for the Libraries and Recreation Services presented to the meeting their Action Plans for the forthcoming year. The officers report contained further details of each of the objectives, of the tasks involved and the target date for action.

Leisure Sub-Committee Minutes - 25 February 1997 Page 5 RESOLVED - That the Team Action Plans for the Libraries and Recreation Teams be noted.

17. GORDON MCLEOD

The Chair informed members that this would be the last meeting of the Sub- Committee that Gordon McLeod, Recreation Team Manager, would be attending, as he was soon to leave the Council’s employment. He thanked Gordon for the help and assistance he had given members and wished him well for the future.

The meeting closed at 8.35 pm.

Leisure Sub-Committee Minutes - 25 February 1997 Page 6