COOKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

 Minutes of a Meeting of the

FOOTPATHS & OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE

PRESENT:            Cllr G. Harris (Chairman) 

Cllrs: A. Hay, M. Innes, R. Piercey, A. Prichard, M. Wellman and H. J. Woodbridge.

In attendance: Andrew Streat (Maidenhead Advertiser) and one member of the public.

1.                  APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DECLARATIONS: Apologies were received from Cllr S. Saintclair-Abbott. There were no Declarations of Interest.

2.             APPOINTMENT OF NEW CHAIRMAN: It was proposed by Cllr Woodbridge and seconded by Cllr Wellman to appoint Cllr G. Harris as the new Chairman of this Committee.

3.            ALFRED MAJOR GROUND:

a):        To formally retract the CCTV cameras as a project for 106 monies: After some discussion it was AGREED that the 106 scheme would take too long to build up the monies we would need for installing CCTV cameras on the Alfred Major. The scheme would be removed from the list and the Parish Council would pursue other routes of funding for this project.

b):        To propose a new item for the play area or on the Alfred Major using the current funds in the 106 agreement: Cllr Wellman said that to date there was approx. £3,724 approved for use in the play area. Cllr Woodbridge said that the main piece of equipment in the centre of the play area could easily be added to. It was AGREED that the Clerk would complete the application form for 106 monies to buy a new piece of equipment worth up to £4,000. Cllr Wellman also said that there was currently £2,447 in the fund for pitch improvements. He said that if we had a price for returfing the goal mouths we could ask Cookham Dean Football Club to contribute and give us a better chance of getting the funds. Cllr Woodbridge said that this was one of the criticisms mentioned on the Rospa report. It was proposed by Cllr Woodbridge to apply for both 106 funds for these projects. This was seconded by Cllr Prichard and agreed unanimously.  

c): To review the report by The Royal Society of Prevention of Accidents: Rospa carried out a very comprehensive risk assessment of the play area and the 16 acres of the Alfred Major Ground. Most of the findings were very positive and there were no urgent safety measures to be taken. There were a list of less urgent maintenance tasks which Cllr Woodbridge proposed  the Committee work through the list over the next five years – the period given before the risk assessment will need to be up-dated.

2.      FOOTPATHS:

a):        Review any footpaths or stiles in need of urgent maintenance: Cllr Harris said that there was no movement to date on FP27 and 33. The Clerk said that Nick Clark had been in touch and the matter was in hand.

b):            Request to erect No Parking sign in front of gate on The Causeway: This was a request from Reg Willshire who was concerned at the number of cars using the entrance to The Causeway as a parking area. Cllr Wellman proposed that the sign should say: “Access required for emergency vehicles at all times – PLEASE KEEP CLEAR”. The Clerk was asked to organise these signs.

3.      GARDENS IN BLOOM 2005:

a)                  To confirm judging dates for Thames and Chilterns in Bloom competition 2005: The Clerk confirmed the judging dates as follows: Cookham Rise Wednesday 13^th July 9.30 – 11.30am; Cookham Village Thursday 14^th July, 10.30 – 11.30am; Cookham Dean Thursday 21^st July 10.30 – 12.30 noon.

b)                  To review numbers of requested baskets and finalise contributions: The Clerk confirmed that approx 50 baskets had been ordered but there were some shops who would request them at the last minute. It was AGREED to keep our order to 100 and charge a nominal £5 per basket contribution. Cllr Harris confirmed that Copas Farms would act as a holding bay for the baskets prior to distribution.

4.      ALLOTMENTS:

a)                  To review Peter Taylor’s quote for spraying plots at Sutton: The Clerk confirmed Peter’s quote as £25 per plot for spraying with Round Up and £32 per plot for spraying brambles. The Chairman agreed to let the Clerk know which plots needed spraying.

b)                  To confirm action against rabbits on Sutton and Cookham Dean: There had been constant complaints about the rabbits at both Allotments and also deer at Sutton. The Chairman said that there seemed to be a plague this year. It was proposed by Cllr Woodbridge and seconded by Cllr Prichard to support the Chairman in his quest to find the best price for netting to try to keep the rabbits away from crops.

The Meeting closed at 9.45pm.