Agenda for this meeting

Present: Cllr. E J Derrick (Chairman)

Cllrs. J S Bolwell, R W G Butt, Mrs. E V Latchem and C Rich.

Mr. Provest felt sure that the committee would take heed in item 4 as the capital project proposed there would certainly have revenue implications.

Mr. Nicholls, being Chairman of POP asked to speak on their ideas for a BMX track in the village. He said that at the moment his group was looking at two sites, one in Beacon Field and one in the Recreation Field.

He gave a broad view of POP and its aims and then followed up with many reasons why the village required a track and gave further reasons why the Rec. was a perfect place for it to be built.

He also explained, with the use of photographs, exactly what the structure would look like. He was a little worried that the village thought that a BMX track was a huge structure of steel and wood - something of a noisy eyesore. He showed pictures of a fine gravel path, which had specially constructed humps and jumps along its length - it really did look like a meandering footpath!

He added that the group had promises of grant money from two sources, which would cover the project and that he envisaged the track being looked after by the parents of the children.

1. Minutes of a Recreation Field Committee meeting held on 8th November 2004

These minutes, which had been previously circulated were taken as read, agreed a true record and signed by the Chairman. There were no matters arising.

2. BMX Track in the Recreation Field

This item was referred from full Council following a request from two sources for this Council to consider the building of a BMX Track in the Rec. Mr. Nicholls had outlined their scheme in the public session and the first question was asked by Cllr. Butt who asked "why not Beacon Field?" Chairman reminded Cllr. Butt that a petition of 100 names had been received objecting to that site.

Cllr. Bolwell asked that, as many residents were uncertain of what the structure looked like, POP and B&NES should go back to the residents of Belle Vue Close and show them the proposed scheme and ask them again if they still objected.

Cllr. Mrs. Latchem questioned the lack of toilet facilities in the Rec. and the fact that being isolated from the rest of the village - what would happen if a sole user had an accident. What about car parking - planning permission may require car parking?

Cllr. Mrs. Kennedy questioned whether toilet and parking facilities would be required as most of the children would come from Frederick and Albert Avenues. She also thought that the toilets at Beacon Hall would not be available if a private party had hired the Hall.

It was eventually recommended: that this Council does not consider the Rec. to be a suitable site for a BMX Track and that POP and B&NES should return to the first proposed site at Beacon Field and re-inform the residents of the exact nature of the project and try to get the residents' approval as the field was purposely designed as a multiple play area.

All agreed.

Meeting closed at 9.15 p.m.