2025-26 Minutes (Playing Field Committee)

September 2025

MINUTES OF MEETING OF HOGSTHORPE PLAYING FIELDS COMMITTEE

 HELD ON TUESDAY 3rd September 2025

 

  1. Present: Diane Hanson, Matthew West, Fran Wilson, & Kath Hayes (Secretary).  
  2. Apologies:           Ellen Smith.   No apologies from Greg and Joyce Ainsworth
  3. Minutes of meeting   Minutes of 2nd July 2025 were approved but not signed as Chairman was absent.
  4. Finance
    1. The secretary reported that Lloyds Bank intended to bring in charges for Charity Accounts using their bank effective from November 2025.   Before any decision is made on whether to change banks, it was agreed that because the payments in and out were small, no change would be made until the charges were known.
    2. Secretary confirmed that a new contract through Bionic Services Limited with British Gas Lite was proposed for the period 17th May 2026 to 16th May 2029.  The daily and nightly rates would be less but the daily charge would be increasing by 3p per day.  The annual spend was estimated at £1106.75.
    3. In addition to cash payments made through the post office, confirmation of Direct Debit
    4. Payments to British Gas of £60.22 and £45.75 had been made.
  5. Car Boots
    1. DH/MW reported that Car boots both traders and footfall were doing very well with 14 stalls last Sunday.  Footfall had increased.   It had been agreed that the stalls would be brought indoors in October.  A Bookers card was now available for purchases of refreshments.
    2. DH reported that the current table for refreshments was unsuitable. KH had a spare fold up table and would donate it.
    3. It was agreed to increase the charge for a table would be increased from £4 to £5 with immediate effect.
  6. Maintenance update
    1. KH reported that the patching of the ground surface had not yet been completed.  She had reminded the contractor and he was still willing to do it.
    2. The bent bar in the playpark still needed further attention – MW to look into it.
    3. Weeds around the playpark had been strimmed.
    4. Still some items to be removed from the changing rooms and it required a good clean.
    5. The shed was still not cleared.   FW would put the litter picking equipment in the changing room on Sunday.
    6. Replacement of bulbs in changing room – MW to obtain replacement fuses.
    7. MW had oiled shutters – still required further attention.
    8. KH had not yet had a chance to contact LCC/ELDC regarding the playing field and Hogsthorpe Village Hall signs.
    9. MW reported that the broken window had not yet been replaced.
    10. It had been noted that the grate cover on the incoming road still needed repair. The grate at the back was also broken.  DH had obtained a quote to repair them at a total cost of £570.  It was agreed that this was essential work and DH was given the go-ahead to contact the contractor to get the repairs done.
  7. Risk assessments and Playpark Inspections
    1. No new inspection sheet was available.
    2. PAT testing of electrical equipment in changing rooms is still required – MW to take this up again.
    3. DH will look into obtaining new car boot signs.
  8. Forward planning
    1. The booking for a children’s party in the playing field had been cancelled due to adverse weather.
    2. The school had used the field for their sports day.
    3. No-one had come forward about a football team.  The sign on the side of the changing room needed removing.
    4. No further ideas on what the space behind the changing rooms was to be used for was not discussed.
    5. Grants – Nothing further was known about applying for grants – DH to take this up.
  9. Date of next meeting

Next meeting is set for THURSDAY 2nd October 2025 at 5 p.m.