COOKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

 Minutes of a Meeting of the

FOOTPATHS & OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE

PRESENT:            Cllr G. Harris (Chairman)

Cllrs D. Fry, M. Innes, R. Piercey, A. Prichard, M. Wellman and

H. J. Woodbridge.

In attendance: Yvette Castor (Maidenhead Advertiser) and Nick Brunetti (Marlow Free Press).

Before the meeting began, the Clerk displayed the awards won by the villages in the Thames and Chilterns Borough in Bloom competition. Cookham Rise won a Bronze award, whilst Cookham village and Cookham Dean both gained Silver awards. Congratulations were given to Cllr Harris who works to prepare the villages for these competitions every year.

1.                  APOLOGIES AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Apologies were received from Cllr Barnes.  Cllr Wellman declared a personal interest in item 2. c) on the agenda.

2.            ALFRED MAJOR GROUND:

a):        To discuss signage on the Alfred Major along with a letter from Mr Brown: The letter highlighted several issues concerning public entrances to the Alfred Major, various signs and public rights of way. Cllr Woodbridge had drafted a reply to the letter which was endorsed by the Footpaths Committee. Cllr Harris was concerned about the number of missing signs. The Clerk offered to look through the files in order to work out what signs are missing.

b)         To consider Peter Taylor’s request for a wider gate to allow ease of access to the play area: Peter Taylor had asked for a gate approx. 4ft 6ins – 5ft wide to allow him to be able to drive in to the play area to cut the grass. Cllr Harris was asked to find out the price of that size gate and a replacement post. Cllr Wellman said that if the Committee were considering installing a larger gate, now would be the best time to enlarge the play area. Prices would be brought back to Committee for enlarging the play area.

c)         To discuss continuing rubbish around the Cookham Dean Football Club premises and litter after matches: The Football Club had tidied up this evening. It was AGREED that the Council would provide a large size rubbish bin to encourage the Club and its spectators to use the bins. The Clerk was asked to write a letter asking the Club to use the new bin when it is in place.

4.            FOOTPATHS:

a):        Up-date on recent correspondence concerning FP60: The Clerk received permission to send her letter to David Lunn to ask what is happening with FP 60. The Parish Council last spoke to RBWM in July and have not be included in any further developments. A letter to Anthony Hurst containing fresh evidence from Mrs Kate Swann was also approved.

5.            ODNEY COMMON:

a)                  To review seats, bins and safety facilities at Odney Common: Cllr Harris was concerned that there were no life belts at the Common. It was AGREED unanimously to purchase a life belt. Cllr Innes warned that it would be stolen. The seats were fine but Cllr Harris said he would like two more seats at Odney. Also two more bins were required which the Clerk was asked to progress. The Clerk was asked to write to the Environment Agency to enquire whether the toilet facilities will be open at any time. Signs were also considered for Odney Common along with a possible permanent BBQ area to try to combat the burnt patches left by portable BBQ’s. 

6.            ALLOTMENTS:

a)         To discuss the repair or replacement of the fence at Cookham Rise allotments: The Chairman recommended that we repair the fence in the broken sections. At least six posts had been pushed over. An allotment holder would also receive a letter asking her to remove her manure which was adding to the strain on the chain link fence. This proposal was AGREED.

b)         Up-date on rabbit wiring of the allotments: The Chairman said that Cookham Dean was almost complete. Sutton was next and the wiring could go across Peter Taylor’s plot at the botton but the Chair wished to speak to him first. Cllr Woodbridge proposed that the Chairman gets the necessary quotes in order to get Sutton wired before the next season. Cllr Wellman made a counter proposal that if the Chairman had the money in his budget to go ahead as it had been previously approved at Council.

The Meeting closed at 8.45pm

Copies to all other Councillors for information.