Minutes of Main Council

Held in the Community Room on Tuesday, 6^th June 2006, after the Planning Meeting, at 7.30pm.

In attendance: Cllr M. Cubley (RBWM), Yvette Caster (Maidenhead Advertiser), Rachel Sixsmith (Marlow Free Press) and Val de Haan (Thames Valley Police).

Apologies were received from Cllrs Barnes, Prichard, Saintclair-Abbott and Stretton. There were no Declarations of Interest.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 2^nd May 2006 were circulated and duly signed with one major amendment. On page 264, Cllr Woodbridge said that item 10 was not minuted correctly. The item refers to our new Standing Order 77 where three quotations must be obtained for work in excess of £5,000 (not £50,000 as stated in the current Standing Order) and the Clerk would give fourteen days notice of this request. Where the value of the intended contract exceeds £20,000, similar notice shall be given including advertising the contract in newspapers. The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 9^th May 2006 were circulated and agreed with no amendments. Cllr Harris wished to go on to the Emergency Committee and the Vice Chairman agreed that the Emergency Committee should be revised at a special meeting.

3. COMMITTEE REPORTS: The Minutes of the Footpaths and open Spaces Committee held on 23^rd May 2006 were approved with no amendments.

1. Cllr Coker gave an up-date of the various meetings he had attended for the Parish Plan including the forthcoming stall at the Scout Fair and the launch at Pinder Hall on 28^th June 2006.

2. Cllr Fairlie attended a meeting of the Patients Participation Group and said there was a meeting coming up on 11^th July where Father Michael talks about bereavement.

3. Cllr Innes spoke about the Health and Safety Fire Risk assessment which resulted in a new boiler for Pinder Hall.

5. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS UNDER STANDING ORDERS 24/26: No questions were received.

6. FINANCE:: The list of cheques raised in the month of May as listed on Page 286 were approved on the proposition of Cllr Woodbridge and seconded by Cllr Wellman.

7. BOROUGH COUNCILLORS’ REPORT: Cllr Ricardo said that the Environment Agency has withdrawn its application for widening the ditch adjoining North Town. He mentioned a sensitive report by the Thames Flood Forum on insurance in flood plain. Cllr Brar said that she had written to Station Parade Management Company on the state of the carpark and requested that the Parish Council also write.

The Council Meeting was then adjourned to allow PC Val de Haan to speak on the next item.

PC Val de Haan said that he was happy to support this initiative by the Parish Council and was looking to secure a sum towards the cost. He said that any improvement in lighting would improve the performance of the CCTV cameras. Cllr Ricardo said that he was not convinced that the lighting would make any difference and as there were many break-ins in day-light. He also said that CCTV cameras cannot see through trees. Pc de Haan said that RBWM is gradually ungrading its CCTV cameras and he hoped that Cookham’s cameras would be included. He said that the light erected in the car park off Sutton Road had reduced the amount of break-ins here and the aim was to make crime less attractive. Cllr Fry called for a third camera in Maidenhead Road.

8. TO REVIEW SURVEY RESULTS ON LIGHTING THE COOKHAM WAR MEMORIAL; REVIEW THE QUOTE AND DECIDE ON NEXT COURSE OF ACTION: The survey was sent out to around 75 householders living in Cookham High Street and around the war memorial. The response was very good with the majority of people in favour of lighting the war memorial and putting our Christmas tree there rather than outside The Crown pub. Cllr Coker said that the lighting in Cookham Rise was a god send and lighting makes people feel much safer. Cllr Woodbridge agreed with Cllr Coker and felt the lighting, although not bright, would also help the CCTV cameras. Cllr Harris was worried about light pollution. Cllr Fry felt that their was no choice because crime was so high in this area. Cllr Brar was in support of the lighting but still wanted more police presence. The Clerk was asked to request some information on the visual look of the lights from SEC. Cllr Coker said the lights would enhance the war memorial. The Clerk was also asked to explore other avenues within RBWM or grants where monies could be applied for. Cllr Woodbridge proposed that we go ahead with the project as soon as possible. This was seconded by Cllr Fry. VOTE: IN FAVOUR = 8, AGAINST = 1, ABSTENTION = 2.

9. CHAIRMAN’S SUBMISSIONS: There was a reminder of the forthcoming programmes on Cookham Summer FM and the Clerk said that any Councillors would be most welcome to attend.

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