Minutes of Main Council

Held in the Community Room on Tuesday, 7^th February 2006, after the Planning Meeting, at 7.30pm.

Cllrs. M. Brar, P. Brockwell, M. Coker, G. Harris, M. Innes, R. Piercey, A. Prichard,

In attendance: Andrew Streat (Maidenhead Advertiser), Antony Quarrell (Maidenhead Express) and one member of the public.

Apologies were received from Cllrs Barnes and Fairlie. Cllrs Brar and Ricardo declared a personal interest in item 8 due to their participation at the Borough Planning Committee where this would be discussed. Cllr Woodbridge also declared a personal interest in item 8 due to his comments made in the press and he stated that he may be persuaded to change his mind after the debate.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 10^th January 2006 were circulated and duly signed as a correct record with two amendments. On page 199, item 7, Cllr Prichard asked for Westwood Green to be added to the RBWM Roads Re-surfacing Programme. On page 200, item 12 a) Cllr Ricardo said that he was the RBWM representative on the Thames Flood Forum and was not representing the Parish Council.

3. COMMITTEE REPORTS: The Minutes of the Footpaths and Open Spaces Committee held on 24^th January 2006 were approved with no amendments.

The list of cheques raised in the month of January as listed on Page 220 were approved on the proposition of Cllr Brockwell and seconded by Cllr Prichard.

7. BOROUGH COUNCILLORS’ REPORT: Cllr Ricardo spoke of a meeting that he was about to attend regarding development in the Flood Plain. Cllr Brar mentioned the Local Development Framework session due to be held in Cookham Library. Cllr Brar also said that the long awaited Station Hill project was agreed in principal and the money was reserved but RBWM had still not heard from the Social Club.

8. TO DISCUSS THE PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION FPR PROPOSED T-MOBILE BASE STATION ON JUNCTION OF PEACE LANE AND HIGH ROAD: Cllr Coker said that the masts were far enough away from the school and the signal there would be weaker. The Clerk read out three letter from residents from Westwood Green who had all written with objections. Cllr Coker remided Cllrs that it is not the mast that is the problem but the handsets which are close to the side of the head. He said the signal was not measurable at Westwood Green. Cllr Prichard said that the area for the proposed mast was residential and he was not keen. Cllr Saintclair-Abbott said that this area was less residential than other sites looked at and he had no problem. Cllr Wellman said that if one was allowed, others would follow. Cllr Prichard proposed that this site was unsuitable and suggested T-Mobile look for alternative locations. This was seconded by Cllr Brockwell. Vote: In Favour = 8, Against = 2, Abstention = 2.

9. TO DISCUSS SUGGESTED POLICY FOR DEALING WITH DONATIONS REQUESTS: The Chairman had circulated a draft proposal with the agenda. Cllr Wellman queried the cap on donations. At the moment the Finance Committee decided on an amount to keep in their Donations allowance – presently £1,000. He said it was difficult to cap individual projects. Cllr Wellman agreed that the policy could be ratified and approved from the AGM in May. He was happy to discuss this further at a later meeting when Councillors have had a chance to further consider their views.

10. TO DISCUSS PROPOSED DONATION TO COOKHAM MEDICAL CENTRE TO SPONSOR A NEWSLETTER OR BUY A BOOK: This item had been deferred from the Finance Meeting. Cllr Prichard said that there was money to give them to print a newsletter. Cllr Wellman felt that buying some books would have more longevity than a newsletter. Cllr Wellman also remarked that the policy discussed under item 9 would in future require projects to be identified when requesting money. Cllr Saintclair-Abbott suggested that we formally go through the procedure by asking them to put in writing what they would spend the money on. This was seconded by Cllr Brar and AGREED.

11. TO APPROVE DRAFT WORDING FOR A PRESS ADVERTISEMENT REQUESTING VOLUNTEERS TO HELP PROMOTE THE PARISH PLAN: The Clerk had circulated some draft wording to get the discussion going. Cllr Saintclair-Abbott said that this suggestion would not inform people what a Parish Plan was. He presented a version he had penned using terminology from Sarah Ward from the Community Council of Berkshire (CCB). Cllr Coker said that the CCB had a good web site and Therese Lawlor from RBWM had offered to supply a mentor to Cookham to help. The Clerk warned Councillors that the Steering Group must be in place by early March in order to qualify for the £1,000 from Seeda. After much discussion it was AGREED that Cllrs Saintclair-Abbott and Coker would initially form a Steering Group to drive the Parish Plan.

12. TO APPROVE THE CHARGE OF A DEPOSIT FOR ALLOTMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN CLEARED AND PREPARED FOR IMMEDIATE PLANTING: Cllr Harris had two plots at Sutton that had cost over £300 to clear and prepare for let. He asked permission to request a refundable deposit for new tenants on these plots to ensure that the plots were not left unworked in the future. The sum of £40 - £50 was mentioned. The Chairman said that in future the agenda item must be clear and must contain details as to how much and for how long. Cllr Saintclair-Abbott proposed that the Council formally approve the charge and refer back to the Footpaths Committee for the details of how much and for how long. This was AGREED with one abstention.

13. CHAIRMAN’S SUBMISSIONS: The Chairman told Cllrs of the Village Design Statement training day in March. The first chapters of the Local Development Framework were also in the office with a consultation deadline of Friday 10^th March. He suggested all Councillors try to find time to look through these documents and the item would be on the agenda of the Full Council meeting in March.

14. CORRESPONDENCE: A list of correspondence and periodicals received during the month of January was circulated with the agenda. These were available in the Parish Office for Councillors’ perusal.