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 Ricardo and one member of the public.

1.                  APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DECLARATIONS: There were no apologies and no Declarations of Interest.

2.            ALFRED MAJOR GROUND:

No news to report apart from the new play equipment is planned to be installed in early December.

3.            FOOTPATHS:

a):        Update on FP56: The Clerk was able to update the Committee on the ownership issue. Nick Clark from RBWM had said that the National Trust owned the footpath and the Borough were responsible for keeping it clear. The Parish Council were asked to clear the footpath at Pearce Drive/Grange Road.

4.            ALLOTMENTS:

a)                  Up-date on allotment renewal and associated matters: Renewals were well under way for next season with two to let at Cookham Dean and two more at Sutton. The netting was finished at Cookham Dean. The vacant plots at Sutton were due to be cleared and the sheds would be shifted to stop rabbits housing themselves underneath. Wiring would begin at the bottom and against the hedge at Sutton.

5.            FINANCE:

a)         To prepare draft budget for next financial year 05-06: The Chairman ran through the figures for the next year. Cllr Woodbridge proposed to ask for another £500 on to perimeter clearance, this was seconded by Cllr Wellman. It was also AGREED to put in £1000 for sign posts/trees; £500 more into regular clearance of footpaths and

£250 for Cookham Moor. Under the Allotments finance it was agreed to put the regeneration figures in with the maintenance/repair – and to increase the sum by £250 to £2000. It was proposed by the Chairman and seconded by Cllr Woodbridge to change the Allotment Awards competition. In 2006 there would be three prizes per allotment, 1st Prize of £15, 2^nd prize of £10 and at Sutton and Cookham Dean a third prize of £5.

6.            CORRESPONDENCE:

a)         To review Land Registry letter and invitation to record any unregistered Land Holdings on their database: Cllr Wellman said that we should find out what they already have on their records. Cllr Saintclair-Abbott said that the Committee should open this up to the Full Council in order to clarify what land is registered. Cllr Ricardo listed some of the land he would like to see registered including: Lady Ferry; Ferry Lane by the pub landing stage; Seat by the Tarrystone; Stonehouse; Wootons Boat Yard landing stage; Chalk pits at Cookham Dean; the triangle where Well End meets Pope’s Lane; Primrose Gravel Pit; piece in front of Jordans/Dean Farm with lime tree. It was proposed by Cllr Saintclair-Abbott to write to the Land Registry to find out what they have on record; then to send them a list of land registered under Parish Council ownership. This was seconded by the Chairman.

b)         To review Cash for Conservation Awards: Cllr Prichard mentioned that the Marsh Meadow Management Committee actively promoted conservation on the Moor and encouraged schools to spend time with their pupils. It was AGREED to pass the leaflet on to this Committee.

The Meeting closed at 8.25pm