COOKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the

FOOTPATHS & OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE

1.                  APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DECLARATIONS: There were no Apologies or Declarations of Interest.

2.      ALFRED MAJOR GROUND:

a):        On-going care and upkeep of recreation field- especially the dumping of garden waste from houses in Lyndhurst Avenue: The Chairman did not want to send letters to all the houses in Lyndhurst Avenue when it was clearly only one house that was doing the dumping. Cllr Woodbridge said that we must write to the offending house and give them seven days to clear the debris. If there is no response, the Parish Council would clear the ground and send them a bill. The Chairman said he would give the Clerk the house number.

b):        To discuss a ban on alcohol on the Alfred Major: The Chairman said that many of the problems of vandalism in the children’s play area could be alcohol-related. Cllr Woodbridge said that we as a Parish Council cannot put a ban on ourselves. It would have to be made a bye-law and would need to be sanctioned by the Secretary of State. The Chairman said that in the summer he has cleared up over fifty cans and bottles. Cllr Wellman could see two problems – enforcement of the bye law and the fact that many spectators of the Cookham Dean Football Club like to take their drinks outside to watch the match. Cllr Saintclair-Abbott suggested that the Council could use publicity and the Police to advertise taking a stronger line with alcohol offenders throughout the summer. The Chairman was unsure whether this action would be strong enough and said he may bring the topic back to the agenda at a later date.

3.      FOOTPATHS:

a):        To review any footpaths or stiles in need of urgent maintenance: It was agreed that RBWM could do more to enforce the safety of stiles where they were on privately owned fields. The Chairman mentioned the stile in Terrys Lane on FP33 which was owned by Mr Dunningham. The Clerk was asked to write a formal letter to Nick Clark detailing those footpaths and stiles where action is still needed - and if necessary, to go higher in RBWM in order to get the work done.

b):        To discuss the idea of volunteer litter collectors for Winter Hill NT carpark: Cllr Saintclair-Abbott proposed that the Clerk writes a letter suggesting that the bins are emptied more frequently in the Summer. The letter should also offer Parish Council support to any local organisations appointed by the National Trust, such as Young NT or a working party, who would be able to collect litter. This was seconded by Cllr Prichard and AGREED unanimously.

c):        To consider a new Litter Bin and additional benches at Odney Common: The Chairman proposed buying an additional bin for Odney Common and two extra benches to enhance the facilities at Odney Common. This was seconded by Cllr Prichard and AGREED unanimously.

d):        To comment on the Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2005 – 2015: The general view of the Councillors was that the plans would make paths more open and accessible for disabled with less stiles and more swing gates. The Council supported plans to make new public rights of way and improvements on cycle tracks. The only concern was that of cyclists using the same paths as walkers. Cllr Saintclair-Abbott proposed that the Committee members put their individual thoughts on paper to the Clerk  by the end of February to incorporate into the written report for the next meeting. This was seconded by Cllr Prichard and AGREED unanimously.

e):        To comment on the revised Cookham Bridleway Circuit: The Chairman was happy with the route now that all the previous comments had been taken in to account with this latest version. Cllr Wellman had concerns over the signing of the route in a Conservation Area. It was AGREED for the Clerk to ask for details of where the signs would go. The Clerk was also asked to find out why the route at Hockett Lane was only one way.

4.      GARDENS IN BLOOM 2005:

a)                  To discuss new supplier of hanging baskets for 2005:  The Chairman said that due to the poor value of the baskets supplied by RBWM, the Parish Council would look to supplying their own baskets for this year. Joe Stoneman may be called on the hang the baskets. The Chairman would bring some prices to the Committee at the next meeting.

5. TO DISCUSS INCREASE IN FOOTPATHS COMMITTEE MEMBERS: The Terms of Reference are due to be reviewed at this year’s AGM. It was AGREED to increase the Committee Members from five to six Councillors.

The Meeting closed at 9.35pm.