COOKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the

FOOTPATHS & OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE

PRESENT:            Cllr G. Harris (Chairman) 

Cllrs: D. Fry, A. Prichard, M. Wellman and H. J. Woodbridge.

In attendance: Cllrs Ricardo and Barnes.

1.                  APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DECLARATIONS: Apologies were received from Cllrs Piercey and Saintclair Abbott. There were no Declarations of Interest.

5.            CORRESPONDENCE:

b)         To list any unregistered Land Holdings within the Parish with a view to applying for registration: The Clerk said that the only land that the Parish Council held deeds for were the three Allotment sites; Cemetery and Cemetery Cottage and the Alfred Major Recreation Field. The Chairman read out a list of land in Cookham that he felt we may own. Cllr Prichard joined the meeting at this point. The Clerk said that she would check whether the deeds would need to be re-registered for the sites mentioned above. The next step is to contact RBWM and see whether they lay claim to any of the unregistered sites. The Clerk was also asked to check land registry for the extension to the Cemetery – not just the deeds. She would also find out how much it costs to register land and whether there is a discount for block bookings.

2.            ALFRED MAJOR GROUND:

a):            Progress report on obtaining quotes for the future maintenance of the Football Pitches: The Clerk said that the Polaris quote was very comprehensive and other companies had been sent a specification based on the Polaris quote. Replies were awaited. Cllr Prichard asked if Cookham Dean Football Club would contribute to the work. It was agreed that to spend 106 monies, we must have another organisation involved. (Clerk’s note: to find out if this is true because we had no third party for the purchase of the play ground equipment). It was agreed that the work would be done after the football season had ended to make ready for next season. Cllr Wellman suggested that the Parish Council meet with the Football Club once the three quotes had been received.

b)         To approve quote from Polaris Groundcare to repair Junior Football Pitch: The quote from Polaris was competitive and it was AGREED to go-ahead with the work if Polaris could provide a similar quote for turf rather than grass seed. The Councillors agreed that grass seed would take too long to grow and it would be impossible to keep people off the pitch waiting for the seed to become established. The Clerk would also contact Kate Dagnall at RBWM to see if any 106 monies could be used for paying for some of this work.

3.            FOOTPATHS:

There was nothing to report but the Chairman mentioned going to see Nick Clark at RBWM regarding Weesons Hill. Cllr Fry also mentioned the path from High Road to Coxborrow Close that is in need of clearing.

4.            ALLOTMENTS:

a)         Up-date on future regeneration of vacant plots: The Chairman brought the Committee up to date on the vacant plots. Tenants are being offered a choice of an uncleared plot for the normal price, or a plot that is cleared and ready to use for a contribution of £30. This seems to be working well and there are only approx. three vacancies at Sutton.

b)      To discuss future down-sizing of Cookham Rise Allotment: It was suggested that the cost of mowing at this Allotment might be money saved if it could be made smaller. There was only one tenant in these rows and she is not active. It was AGREED to check on the price of moving the fence and to check to see whether the slow worms were still present. 

c)      To discuss feasibility of replacing chain link fence with hedge: The Clerk would investigate the cost of planting a prickly hedge to improve the look of the Cookham Rise Allotment.

5.            CORRESPONDENCE:

a)         To decide if Cookham wishes to be entered into the Calor Village of the Year Competition: Once again it was felt that this competition was out of timing with Britain in Bloom.

The Meeting closed at 9.30pm