COOKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

 Minutes of a Meeting of the

 FOOTPATHS & OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE

PRESENT:            Cllrs: M. Barnes, D. Fry, G. Harris, A. Prichard, M. Wellman and

H. J. Woodbridge.

In attendance: Yvette Castor (Maidenhead Advertiser).

1.                  ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN: Cllr H. J. Woodbridge proposed Cllr G. Harris to continue as Chairman. This was seconded by Cllr Prichard and AGREED unanimously.

2.                  APOLOGIES AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Apologies were received from Cllrs Piercey and Saintclair-Abbott.  There were no Declarations of Interest.

3.            ALFRED MAJOR GROUND:

a):        To discuss three quotes for future maintainance of the Football Pitches: The Councillors were concerned at the high prices quoted and felt that these quotes were for more professional Club pitches. Cllr Harris said that it was too late in the year to do any serious repairs and the hose pipe ban would make any work even more difficult. Some Cllrs felt that Cookham Dean Football Club would prefer to use Peter Taylor – others were less sure. It was noted that Cookham Dean Football Club were supposed to maintain the pitches at their own expense and that the 106 monies should only be used to up-grade the pitches. Cllr Woodbridge proposed that a meeting was organised with the Club to find out what parts of the quoted work they would most like to see done. This was seconded by Cllr Wellman and AGREED.

b)         To decide on the use of Polaris Groundcare to repair the Junior Football Pitches: It was AGREED that the Junior pitches were in need of either turfing or seeding at the goal mouths in particular. Polaris had wanted to use grass seed but the Councillors opted for turfs with the goal posts re-positioned to allow the turfs to take. It was also AGREED that Polaris would be asked to do the work in September at the quoted price of £1637.00. (NB: I have since reviewed the content of the email that was sent to all Councillors from Polaris and note that the agreed price is for grass seed. Using turfs would add another £1600 to the price. Therefore this item will need to be discussed again before going ahead.)

c)         To decide whether to replace or repair the vandalised play equipment. Due the various safety standards that the equipment has to adhere to, it was AGREED that the safest option was to replace the rocking horse. The Clerk was asked to make enquiries to the insurance company and find out whether replacing the wet pour safety surface would also be included by our claim.

4.            FOOTPATHS:

a):        To comment on the Modification Order to extend FP60 eastwards from Cookham Bridge: After much discussion about ownership and rights of way on this path, it was AGREED that Cookham Parish Council would support this Modification Order if it would help solve this long-standing dispute. The Clerk was asked to find out more details on ownership of the land going down to the river and any confirmation that a right of way can be proven to exist. Cllr Woodbridge proposed support for the Modification Order but with a letter sent to remind RBWM that they have a duty to remove the obstruction to FP60 under the Highways Act of 1980.

b):        To decide to plant some trees in Sutton Road to protect the site from future Telecommunication Masts: Cllr Prichard said that the request had come from the residents in order to plug the gap in the lime trees and dissuade telecoms companies from considering this site for future masts. Cllr Prichard proposed to purchase and plant two trees at a cost of £480. This was seconded by Cllr Woodbridge. VOTE: IN FAVOUR = 5, AGAINST = 1.

5.            ALLOTMENTS:

a)                  Review of vacant plots on three sites: There were two tenants causing concern at Cookham Dean and the Chairman would be seeking to write to them. Cookham Rise had the usual tenants with little change. There was a bit more movement at Sutton but only 3 vacant 10 pole plots outstanding.

6.            CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was listed for the Committee members to read at the Parish Office:

* The Parish Paths Initative Annual Report 2006-7 – attached pages were copied for the Committee.

* Draft Thames Path Management Strategy 2006 – 11 (comments and views due by 28^th July 2006).

* RBWM Definitive Map and Statement of Modification Orders – list of Orders confirmed by RBWM since 1^st January 2000.

The Meeting closed at 9.45pm