Environment Committee

8^th May 2006

Present:

Also

Councillors

Attending:

Mrs S Gilchrist

EW Ball

EA Gilchrist

Mrs NJ Graham

Mrs M Larkins

RR Morgan

Stuart Oliver

Cllr FJ Goodchild       

(Chairman)

(Deputy Town Clerk)

5181

 APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from Cllr CJ Mobbs.

5182

QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC

None.

5183

SPECIFIC DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

None.

5184

MINUTES

Resolved:                

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on the 6^th March 2006 and for these to be signed by the Chairman.

5185

TREE MANAGEMENT PLAN

Members were advised that the survey of all the trees located on land under the responsibility of the Town Council had now been undertaken and the report received.  It was emphasised that the report was extremely thorough and very detailed.  Every tree had been numbered and placed on a plan of the relevant area.  Each tree was recorded giving the species, height, trunk diameter, height to first major branches, crown diameter, age, amenity value, condition and comments / recommendations where appropriate, along with a priority rating.  Members had received a summary but were informed that the full report was available in the Council Offices for any Member to look at.

Members were informed that the report made several recommendations with regard to work that should be undertaken over time, but also advised that 3 trees needed to be taken down as soon as possible.  It was reported that enquiries had been made about the possibility of SBDC undertaking this work via the contractor they used for tree work and then for SBDC to invoice the Town Council accordingly.  Unfortunately, this idea proved to be impossible because of the terms of the contract SBDC had with the tree company, in that work could be done only on SBDC land.  Therefore, quotations for the necessary work were being sought from a number of companies.

It was suggested that, as three trees were being removed, three new ones should be planted to replace them.

Resolved:

1.

2.

To note the report and adopt the recommended Management Programme.

To contract a suitable company to undertake those recommended works that cannot be done by the Town Council’s Grounds Staff.

5186

BUS SHELTERS

Members were informed that Bedfordshire County Council was providing capital funds for a 5-year programme of bus shelter replacement in Dunstable, Houghton Regis and Leighton Buzzard.  £120,000 per year was available to Houghton Regis and Dunstable jointly.  The programme was in partnership with Adshel, who had agreed to supply the shelters and were also prepared to provide maintenance, as BCC did not have any funds for this.  The contract for maintenance would be negotiated between Adshel and the 3 authorities.  This could be done individually, or jointly, which might result in a better deal.  The first shelters to be replaced would be the existing Adshel ones, but once this had been done, the programme would allow for other works to be undertaken.

Members agreed that this was a good opportunity to get new bus shelters and that the Town Council should be part of the programme.  However, it was also agreed that the decision previously taken to purchase two bus shelters to be located at two of the stops on Windsor Drive should still go ahead.

Resolved:

1.

2.

To enter into the 5-year programme of bus shelter replacement with Bedfordshire County Council.

To go ahead with the purchase and installation of two bus shelters, as previously agreed.

5187

NEW MOWER

Members were advised that the mower that was being used for the preparation of the cricket square was nearing the end of its useful working life and would therefore need to be replaced.  Enquiries had been made about a suitable replacement and these had brought to light a mower that carried out two functions at once (cuts and rakes out the thatch at the same time), which would be very suitable for use on the bowls green, as it would cut down on maintenance time.  It was reported that the cost of this particular mower was £1,187.23, plus VAT.

Members were asked to consider purchasing this mower for use on the bowls green.  If this was agreed the mower currently used at the bowls green would be transferred for use on the cricket square and the old mower put into retirement, but kept for use in emergencies.

It was agreed that this course of action was sensible, but this new mower should be obtained on trial first to see if it would indeed be suitable, before making the decision to purchase. This should be arranged as soon as possible.

Resolved:

To arrange to trial the new mower first, then if it was found to be satisfactory, to purchase it.