COOKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the

COOKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

PRESENT:            M. Wellman (Vice Chairman)

Cllrs. M. Barnes, M. Brar, P. Brockwell, M. Coker, S. Fairlie, G. Harris, A. Hay, M. Innes, R. Piercey, A. Prichard, D. Ricardo,

S. Saintclair-Abbott, J. Stretton

1.      APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr H. J. Woodbridge. There were no Declarations of Interest.

2.                  MINUTES AND MATTERS ARISING: The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 2^nd November 2004 were agreed and signed as a correct record with two amendments. On page 965, item 8, line three, ‘Cllr Woodbridge (the Chairman)’ was to be inserted to read: “Cllr Wellman and Cllr Woodbridge (the Chairman) had a meeting with the Governors of Cookham Dean Primary School.” Also Page 965, item 8, line four, should read “It was agreed that Cllr Innes would speak on their behalf at the next Borough Planning Meeting and would also speak against the Bramley application.” There were no Matters arising.

3.                  COMMITTEE REPORTS: The Minutes of the Footpaths and Open Spaces Committee meeting held on 9^th November 2004 were circulated and duly approved with no amendments. The Minutes to the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on Tuesday 23^rd November were approved with no amendments. There were no Matters Arising.

4.  REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES:

1.         Cllrs Wellman, Harris, Prichard and Innes attended a special DALC meeting to discuss the latest Flood Maps issued by RBWM.

2.                  Cllr A. Prichard also attended a Governors Meeting for Holy Trinity Primary School and enjoyed an excellent play by the younger pupils.

Cllr Brar entered the meeting from attending a Borough Meeting.

3.                  Cllr M. Coker attended a meeting of Maidenhead Housing Association as a Committee Member and had some information on tackling anti-social behaviour.

4.                  Cllr A. Hay attended a Youth Project Meeting and said that the main topic of discussion was drugs.

5. QUESTIONS UNDER STANDING ORDERS 24/26:

Cllr Wellman reminded all Councillors that anyone with a question should inform the Clerk or the Chairman five days before the meeting.

6.            FINANCE:

On the proposition of Cllr S. Saintclair-Abbott, seconded by Cllr A. Prichard, the cheques as listed on Page 986 were passed for payment in the month of November.

7.            BOROUGH COUNCILLORS’ REPORT:

Cllr Ricardo spoke of the recent repairs to the Causeway Bridge. He said that Babties had put stickers on the cracks in order to monitor any movement. A Flood Relief Action Group (FRAG) meeting was organised for 20^th December. The Flood Report on Strande Lane was delayed and these delays could affect the extent of the flood relief work around South Cookham.

8.         TO DISCUSS PARISH COUNCIL POSITION RE: LULLEBROOK BRIDGE: Cllr Wellman said that there is an agreement in existence but it is out of date and was never signed. After a period of quiet it would seem that events are now in motion to replace the bridge. There was a long discussion as to the monies that we agreed to pay. Cllr Prichard said that the increased amount from £5,000 to £11,000 was for a new bridge rather than a refurbished one. Maintenance costs were also a new development from the original discussions. Cllr Stretton said that the monies due on the Bridge were now irrelevant due to the extensive research carried out by Jean Stretton. Her report confirmed that Lullebrook Bridge originally belonged to Cookham Rural District Council but transferred to RBWM in 1974. Cllr Wellman queried whether we should put any money in to the project at all. Cllr Prichard asked why RBWM had not replied to a letter written by the Clerk regarding ownership of Lullebrook Bridge in May 2003. Cllr Coker said that although the Parish Council may not wish to own the Bridge, we still have an interest in the Footpath and the asthetic view from the Bridge. It was AGREED that the Clerk would write again to RBWM requesting acknowledgement that Cookham Parish Council has no claims on ownership of Lullebrook Bridge.

9.         TO ALLOCATE PARISH COUNCILLORS’ ALLOWANCES FOR NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR:  Cllr Wellman referred to a form recently sent from RBWM asking for clarification of whether allowances are being claimed or will be claimed in the future. There was much discussion on the differences between allowances and expenses.

It was AGREED to send the reply by 10^th December and to review the amount in the budget at the next Finance Meeting.

10.       TO COMMENT ON DIVERSION OF FOOTPATH 54 (PART) MILL LANE: Cllr Ricardo said that he was surprised that there were no comments considering it was a diversion of a Footpath and a road. Cllr Barnes proposed No Objection to this diversion because the road was private and it was only the footpath that concerned the Parish Council. This was seconded by Cllr Saintclair-Abbott. The vote showed: IN FAVOUR = 9, ABSTENTION = 3.

11.              TO COMMENT AND APPROVE THE REVISED COOKHAM BRIDLEWAY CIRCUIT: Cllr Harris said that most of his comments had been incorporated but he was not happy with the part on Kings Lane where there was a nasty T junction on a hill. Due to the lateness of the hour, it was AGREED that any further comments would be given to the Clerk and passed on to Sharon Winfield at RBWM. It was also AGREED for Cookham Parish Council to attend a meeting at Bisham Parish Council on Monday 20^th December to discuss this Bridleway for public use.

12.            CHAIRMAN’S SUBMISSIONS: 

There were no further Chairman’s Submissions other than the meeting of Bisham Parish Council.

13.            CORRESPONDENCE:

A list of correspondence and periodicals received during the month of November was circulated with the agenda.  These were available in the Parish Office for Councillors’ perusal.

The Meeting closed at 9.30 pm.