COOKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the

FOOTPATHS & OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE

PRESENT:            Cllr G. Harris (Chairman) Cllrs: M. Innes, R. Piercey, A. Prichard, S. Saintclair-Abbott, M. Wellman and

H. J. Woodbridge.

In attendance: Cllr Barnes and one member of the public.

1.                  APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DECLARATIONS: Apologies were received from Cllr Hay. There were no Declarations of Interest.

2.            ALFRED MAJOR GROUND:

a):        Update on new equipment for playarea using 106 funds: The Clerk showed the Committee the final choice that had been submitted to RBWM as a request for 106 funds. The equipment would be supplied by RSS Playmakers, the company that made the existing play structures. The Trailblazer ranger would comprise of three sections called “Amazon Basin”, “Twin Peaks” and “Hogs Back”. Each activity is designed to test a child’s balance, strength and co-ordination. The cost of the three items including the Wet Pour safety surface would amount to £16,746.00. The claim has been sent off to RBWM and we await the results!

3.            FOOTPATHS:

a):        Update on FP60: There was no further news to date and the Clerk has been asked to contact Cllr Cubley to establish the current situation. Cllr Barnes commented that it is almost impossible to cross the road with the configuration of the traffic lights and the path should be made available as a matter of urgency.

b):            Response to email from Margaret Bowdery re FP56: The main access point on to Widbrook Common has been made more hazardous by the ARMCO barrier. To give walkers an easier route on to the Common, the footpath has been diverted illegally in the view of Mrs Bowdery. This non-definitive path is now completely inaccessible due to overgrowth and urgently needs clearing. It was AGREED that although the Parish Council is responsible for keeping the parish footpaths clear, we must establish the legality of this path diversion before we clear it – and in particular who may own this diversion.

c):        To suggest future use of land formerly leased by Mr McCarthy: The Chairman said that this was triangular piece of land of approx. 1 acre in size. Little had been done over the past twenty years but the Chairman has observed wildlife using the area such as deer, badgers and rabbits. The Chairman’s idea is to create a wildlife haven that the school children may like to visit. Access is not easy and there is no room for parking. It was AGREED to follow the suggestion from Cllr Saintclair- Abbott of writing to the Cookham schools to ask them for ideas for the land. This proposal was seconded by Cllr Woodbridge. The Chairman said that he would ask Joe Stoneman to repair the broken gateposts. 

d)         To review the second Cookham Dean in Gloom letter from Mr Calliss and action taken: The Clerk said that RBWM’s Streetcare had been called on 19^th August 2005 to attend to Mr Callis’s complaints about the hedges at Vine Cottage and Startins Lane. The Chairman said that the hedge at Vine Cottage had been cut back but not far enough to reveal the speed sign. The advertising board outside The Chequers is a matter for the Police. It was AGREED that Mr Calliss should receive a letter from the Parish Council detailing the action taken to date and asking him to address any further queries with RBWM

4.            GARDENS IN BLOOM 2005:

a)                  Organise collection of hanging baskets: It was AGREED that Joe Stoneman would be asked to collect the hanging baskets in the next week.

b)                  Review monies received for hanging baskets: The Clerk did not have her figures to hand but thought that money had been received for two-thirds of the baskets distributed.

5.            ALLOTMENTS:

a)         Up-date on action against rabbits at Sutton and Cookham Dean: The Chairman said that some progress had been made at Sutton where the long grass on untended allotments had provided the rabbits with shelter. These plots had now been sprayed and cleared. The sheds also had rabbits underneath. The Chairman hoped to have the wire up at Sutton before the next Spring. The wire at Cookham Dean allotments was almost complete.

6.            CORRESPONDENCE: Two items of correspondence were circulated to the Committee Members: A letter to Sharon Winfield from M. Bowdery re: FP57 and the final version of the Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2005 – 2015.

The Meeting closed at 9.05pm.