Agenda item

8.1          Request for Grit Bin from a resident – Beech Road – correspondence enclosed

8.2          Request for a Memorial Bench on The Leys – report of Operations & Estates Officer (enclosed)

8.3          Defibrillators – report of the Operations & Estates Officer (enclosed)

8.4          Trees – report of Operations & Estates Officer (enclosed)

The Committee received and considered three reports relating to the Council’s estates and street furniture; namely a request for a memorial bench at the Leys and updates on defibrillators and trees. A request from a member of the public for a grit bin in Beech Road was also discussed.

With regard to the grit bin request, the committee were in support of the request – the bin was to be paid for by County Councillor Laura Price via her Councillor Priority Fund.  Members were made aware that after initial filling of grit salt further refills would be at the cost to the Town Council. The Committee were also supportive of a request for a memorial bench at the Leys and Oxlease with a member following up the latter. The Operations and Estates Officer also advised the committee that several defibrillators had been installed on Council buildings in previous years and after an audit most had required maintenance. The committee were advised that the charities which had fundraised for them had not been aware of the ongoing maintenance cost implications and therefore neither were the Council. Moving forward a budget would need to be created for the ongoing maintenance costs as inevitably they would have to be funded by the Council. Members also heard that quotes had been received for a bat survey which would be required for a tree in St Mary’s Churchyard.

RECOMMENDED:   

1. that the report be noted;

2. that a resident request for a grit bin at Beech Road – funded by County Councillor Laura Price’s Councillor Priority Fund – be agreed meaning the Town Council would be responsible for the re-filling ;

3. that a request for a memorial bench to be sited at the Leys Recreation Ground be granted and the location be delegated to the Operations and Estates Officer following a meeting with the requestor;

4. that the committee requests a budget line and annual sum for the future maintenance of the defibrillators on the Council’s estates;

5. that the Council accepts the quotation for a bat survey on tree T583 in St Mary’s churchyard.