Leisure
Location: Albert Rooms, 92 Albert Road, Horley, RH6 7HZ
Date & Time: 22/04/2025 @ 19:30
HORLEY TOWN COUNCIL
Leisure & Amenities Committee
A meeting of the above-named Committee will be held at the Albert Rooms, Albert Road, Horley on Tuesday, 22 April 2025, 7.30 pm
All correspondence and papers referred to in the public part of the agenda are available to view in the Town Council Offices during normal office hours or on the website
A G E N D A
1 Apologies and Reasons for Absence
To receive apologies and reasons for absence with officer recommendation for acceptance.
2 Disclosable Pecuniary Interests and Non-Pecuniary Interests
To receive any declarations of interest in relation to any items included on this agenda.
3 Public Forum
Members of the public and press are invited to put questions or draw relevant matters to the Council’s attention. Each speaker may address the committee once only, for five minutes maximum, on a business item on the agenda, at the discretion of the Chairman. If the number of speakers is likely to unreasonably delay the disposal of business to be transacted, the Chairman may direct that the individual submits a question or comment in writing which shall be answered in due course.
4 Approval of Minutes
Leisure & Amenities Committee, meeting held on 21 January 2025
5 Leisure Updates
Leisure & Amenities Committee, meeting held on 21 January 2025.
6 Horley Churchyards
To receive an update on recent meetings and other matters.
7 HTC Grounds Maintenance and Security
i) To receive updates on recent meetings held with the Town Council’s Ground Maintenance Contractor and to note any issues arising.
ii) Members’ inspections of Recreation Grounds - To receive an update.
iii) To receive an update on any other matters.
8 Community Events in Horley
i) Horley in Bloom (HIB) and Photographic Competitions 2025: To receive any updates on the launch of the competitions this year.
ii) To receive a report on the preparations for Horley Carnival 2025
iii) To receive an update on any other matters.
9 Community Projects Update
i) To receive an update on completed projects, or those programmed for delivery.
ii) To consider the installation of a memorial bench at Horley Recreation Ground, in memory of former Town Councillor, Howard Easterbrook at a cost of £562.00 including installation.
iii) To consider the installation of a picnic table at Emlyn Meadows at a cost of £628.00 including installation.
10 Use of HTC Community Buildings, Parks and Outdoor Spaces
To receive any updates on upcoming events.
11 Compliance & Regulatory
i) HTC Playgrounds & Grounds Inspections and Repairs: To receive the latest inspection reports and updates on repairs from the parks’ contractors.
ii) To receive an update on any other matters.
12 Outside Bodies
To receive any updates from Town Council representatives on the following Outside Bodies:
i) Gatwick Greenspace Partnership (GGP)
ii) Horley Conservation Group (HCG)
13 Allotments in Horley
To receive an update on any matters.
14 Communications Received
15 Diary Dates
16 Items for Future Consideration: To note any urgent business for inclusion on future agenda.
17 Press Release: To agree items for inclusion.
Date of next meeting: 01 July 2025
Dated: 15 April 2025
Signed: Chief Executive Officer
HORLEY TOWN COUNCIL
Leisure & Amenities Committee
Minutes of a meeting of the above-named Committee held at the Albert Rooms, Albert Road, Horley on Tuesday 22 April at 7.30pm
|
Present |
Cllrs |
Hannah Avery |
Lynne Burnham* |
Samantha Marshall |
|
|
|
Jante Baird |
Emma Fagan |
Martin Saunders |
|
|
|
James Baker* |
Cec Hughes |
Tom Turner |
|
|
|
Jordan Beech |
Robert Marr |
Steve Wotton* |
*Absent **In Attendance Remotely
In Attendance Sam Adeniji (Assistant Town Clerk & RFO)
Helen Maan (Leisure & Facilities Officer)
Cllr Mike George (Non-Committee Member)**
L 5533 Apologies and Reasons for Absence
RESOLVED: that the apologies of Cllr Baker and Cllr Wotton, be accepted.
L 5534 Disclosable Pecuniary Interests and Non-Pecuniary Interests
No declarations of interest were made in relation to any items on the agenda.
RESOLVED: noted.
L 5535 Public Forum
No members of the public were present.
RESOLVED: noted.
L 5536 Approval of Minutes - Leisure and Amenities Committee, held on 21 January 2025
A correction to 'Raving Housing Trust' on Page 1 of the draft minutes of 21 January 2025, requiring amendment to 'Raven Housing Trust', was agreed.
RESOLVED: that subject to minor amendment, the minutes of the Leisure and Amenities Committee meeting of 21 January 2025, be approved.
L 5537 Leisure Updates
L 5519 Funding Applications for planters in West Horley: The Leisure Officer advised that the delayed YFS Your Councillor Community Fund scheme 2025/26 for new applications was expected to open shortly. It was noted that expenditure for the item had previously been approved, however the Town Council may need to cover the cost if SCC funding is not secured.
L 5521 Other Seasonal Planting: The Leisure Officer reported that the HTC Environment Working Group had decided against recommending additional wildflower planting beyond what had already been agreed, opting to explore other biodiversity initiatives instead.
RESOLVED: noted.
L 5538 Horley Churchyards
L 5538) Cllr George reported on the recent meeting with St Bart’s Church. He advised that their grounds maintenance contractor is sponsoring planting of the next wildflower batch near the rear hedgerow. Additionally, further advice on wall repairs had been provided to the Church; Cllr Baker planned to repaint the gates after St George’s Day; and an update on the Local Government Review (LGR) implications for closed churchyard maintenance had been provided.
RESOLVED: noted.
L 5539 HTC Grounds Maintenance and Security
The Leisure Officer reported on a recent meeting with the grounds maintenance contractor. The new postholder for the Council’s contract had been informed about contract specifics, particularly regarding pitch maintenance at Court Lodge within the agreed terms. Football posts were due to be removed in the week commencing 21 April 2025. Grass cutting was proceeding through a fortnightly schedule with a full team in place. Concerns regarding litter collection performance were also acknowledged by the managing team with an agreement that urgent action would be taken.
RESOLVED: noted.
L 5540 Members reported on recent site inspections and no major issues were noted. Previous flooding at Emlyn Meadows had since subsided.
RESOLVED: noted.
L 5541 An issue with youths building BMX tracks and setting fires at Emlyn Meadows had been addressed by contractors, reported to the police and the problem appeared resolved. Reports of motorised vehicles on Court Lodge and at Riverside Garden Park had been dealt with, including police attendance in the latter case.
RESOLVED: noted.
Community Events in Horley
L 5542 Horley in Bloom & Photographic Competition: The competition, launched at the end of February, had been promoted in the ‘RH6’ magazine, on social media and in posters. Entries were being received. A budget review had identified some shortfalls, for which sponsorship would be sought. The Plant Swap will launch at the St. George’s Day Fair, with thanks made to the Horley Town Management Group (HTMG) for their funding support.
RESOLVED: noted.
L 5543 Horley Carnival 2025: The preparations were progressing well and some of the arena acts included strongman Mighty Smith, The Black Eagles acrobats and a Fire Brigade demonstration regarding kitchen fires was also anticipated.
RESOLVED: noted.
L 5544 Community Project Updates
Completed/Programmed Projects: The Leisure Officer gave the following updates:
- The new pathway lighting to the Bowls Club is operational.
L 5544)
- The newly refurbished pathways near the MUGA and roundabout are complete, however awaiting final seeding.
- The new outdoor gym equipment installation is underway, following removal of the old equipment.
- The new bike rack has been purchased and installation near the skate park, is awaited.
- Resurfacing around The Innes Pavilion commenced on 22 April 2025.
A need for better communication regarding the gym equipment removal and replacement had been duly acknowledged by the contractor.
RESOLVED: noted.
L 5545 Memorial Bench: It was noted that a quotation of £562 (inc. VAT & installation) for a memorial bench made from recycled materials, in memory of former Town Mayor and Councillor, the late Howard Easterbrook, had been received. The proposed location near the skate park, would replace the existing dilapidated bench with the proposed inscription: "Howard Easterbrook, 1937-2023. Mayor, businessman and devoted father and friends whose legacy lives on in the places and people of Horley”. The proposals presented were supported by the Committee.
RESOLVED: that the cost of £562 (inc. VAT & installation) for the installation of a new memorial bench at Horley Recreation Ground with the proposed inscription, in memory of former Town Mayor and Councillor, Howard Easterbrook, be approved.
L 5546 Picnic Table: A proposal to install a picnic table at Emly Meadows was discussed, noting its potential use by residents and visitors to the local area.
RESOLVED: that expenditure of £628 (inc. VAT) for the purchase and installation of a recycled plastic picnic table at Emly Meadow, be approved.
L 5547 Use of HTC Community Buildings, Parks and Outdoor Spaces
It was noted that agreement had been given by the Town Council for the annual ‘Africa Day’ event by the Sussex and Surrey Africa Society at Horley Recreation Ground, on 24 May 2025, with the arrangements similar to their event held at Court Lodge Fields, last year.
RESOLVED: noted.
L 5548 Compliance and Regulatory
The Leisure Officer reported that new rubber safety matting had been installed in well-utilised, muddy areas of the playground at Michael Crescent Centenary Park, including the entrance, bench area and quiet area. The matting near the table tennis table at Horley Recreation Ground had also been replaced due to excessive wear-and-tear, as stated in the RoSPA inspection report.
RESOLVED: noted.
Outside Bodies
L 5549 Gatwick Green Space Partnership (GGP): Cllr George reported that discussions with Newdigate PC to join the partnership were progressing slowly. Additionally, membership by Charlwood PC had been delayed, pending recruitment of a new Clerk. Discussions with Surrey Wildlife Trust (SWT) confirmed that potential SWT projects in Horley would complement the activities of GGP, as all organisations work closely together.
RESOLVED: noted.
L 5550 Horley Conservation Groups (HCG): It was noted that a letter of thanks for the group's efforts and hard work (including hedge planting at the Horley Recreation Ground playground) would be featured at the group’s AGM.
RESOLVED: noted.
L 5551 Horley Allotments
The Leisure Officer reported that the issue of overshadowing from trees on the railway boundary at Langshott allotments still persists and Network Rail maintained no responsibility as there is no safety hazard. The cost to cut back growth to the boundary line was quoted at £2,400 (inc. VAT). A meeting would be scheduled with the Langshott Allotment Association to assess the number of plots significantly affected and to consider other potential solutions, including alternative plots, subject to availability.
RESOLVED: noted.
L 5552 Communications Received
|
From |
Subject |
Action/Comments |
|
Surrey County Council (SCC) |
Requirement to relocate the planters currently situated in the High Street and pedestrianised area during the planned public realm refurbishment works. |
Leisure Officer to follow up on a temporary solution, to relocate the planters to the pavement area outside Costa Coffee, subject to suitable watering arrangements and a final decision to be made by the Committee on a permanent location once the new layout is known. |
RESOLVED: noted.
L 5553 Diary Dates
- 26 April 2025 - St George's Day Fair
- 6 May 2025, 7.30 pm - Annual Council Meeting
- 13 May 2025, 7.30 pm - Planning & Development Committee
- 16 May 2025, 7.30 pm - Annual Town Public Forum
L 5553)
- 1 July 2025, 7.30 pm - Leisure & Amenities Committee Meeting
RESOLVED: noted.
L 5554 Items for Future Consideration
None
RESOLVED: noted.
Meeting closed at 20:09
Date of Next Meeting: 1 July 2025
