COOKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the

 FOOTPATHS & OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE

PRESENT:       Cllr G. Harris (Chairman)

Cllrs: M. Innes, John Stretton, M. Wellman and H. J. Woodbridge.

1.                  APOLOGIES AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Apologies were received from Cllrs M. Brar, D. Fry and R. Piercey.  Cllr Harris declared a personal interest in item 4a on the agenda.Cllr M. Wellman declared a personal interest in items 2a and 4a.

2.            ALFRED MAJOR GROUND:

a):        Up-date on ideas for 106 funds for Alfred Major: The Clerk said that there was currently £19,000 to spend on football pitches or other environmental projects and £25,000 to spend on the play area and teen scene. She had spoken to Kate Dagnall about the possibility of using the £19,000 for other projects as well as pitch improvements. Kate said that any environmental projects where new facilities would be installed or existing ones improved would be acceptable. Should the Council wish to go ahead with CCTV, they could use part of the £19,000 for this project. However this would have a greater chance of success if Cookham Rise Primary School also joined the project – perhaps using some 106 monies allocated to the schools. The Clerk also mentioned that Herries School were interested in using the Alfred Major on a regular basis and they would contact us in the autumn. The CCTV would provide better security for the play area, the school, the allotments and the Football Club. It was AGREED that the Clerk would write to Cookham Rise School to see if they were interested in the CCTV project. The Clerk would also write to Cookham Dean Football Club to set up a pre-season meeting with them. The Clerk would try to contact Dominic Gavin who used to work at GCD because his demonstration of CCTV was the best.

            The Council would also advertise for any knowledgeable resident to help the Council project-manage this project. It was also AGREED to go ahead and use 106 monies to purchase a teen scene and the outstanding piece of play equipment from the Trailblazer range.

b)         Up-date on quotes to repair play equipment: The Clerk said that several companies had been approached with reference to the repair of the play equipment. No firm quotes had been received as yet.

3.            FOOTPATHS:

a):            Milestones Statement and Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan: The Annual Review for 2007 had raised similar issues to the previous few years. The one main change was that the long-awaited FP 60 would hopefully be open under Cookham Bridge some time in July. The up-grading of Kennel Lane footpath to a bridleway may not happen because the National Trust had raised objections. The long awaited path across Widbrook Common to the Thames Path was also held up by legal issues.

4.            ALLOTMENTS:

a)                  Request by Matthew Scott to keep bantams at Cookham Dean: A letter had been circulated to all allotment holders at Cookham Dean. Most allotment holders had no problem with Mr Scott’s bantams and many were interested in keeping hens themselves. There was a worry that a cluster of different coups and hutches would be out of keeping in the Conservation Area. There was also a worry that an increase of rats and foxes could be nuisance to residents nearby. After much discussion, it was proposed by Cllr Woodbridge and seconded by Cllr Stretton to refuse permission for chickens to be kept on Cookham Dean allotment. Mr Scott would be given until October 31^st to remove his bantams. VOTE: IN FAVOUR = 4, AGAINST = 1.

b)         Gate between “Meadow View” and Sutton Allotments: Mrs Rebecca King had requested a gate to be put into the wall between her home, “Meadow View” and Sutton Allotments. She was due to start a family and was concerned about pushing a pram along the busy Sutton Road. She said that the access on to the allotments would be a lot safer for her family. The Councillors acknowledged her wishes and sympathised but felt that allowing the King family access could result in a permanent right of way over Council-owned allotment land. The other point was that the gate may well open directly on to a plot and crops would inevitably be damaged. The Clerk would write a letter to Mrs King and a site visit would be carried out to confirm the Council’s accuracy in their deliberations. VOTE: IN FAVOUR = 4 ABSTENTION = 1.

5.            ODNEY COMMON:

a)            Concrete-based bins for Odney Common: The Clerk had received many complaints about the lack of bins at Odney Common. At present there was only one near Lullebrook Bridge and one near the weir. Nigel Davis from RBWM had send through a fax containing details of a more robust concrete-based litter bin. The Clerk was asked to get some prices from Nigel Davis and research some other similar bins. Cllr Wellman proposed that the Council purchase another two wheely bins for the time being and research the concrete-based bins for purchase next year. This was seconded by Cllr Innes and AGREED unanimously.

The Meeting closed at 9.50pm.