COOKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the

 FOOTPATHS & OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE

PRESENT:       Cllr H. J. Woodbridge (Acting Chairman)

Cllrs: M. Brar, M. Innes, R. Piercey, John Stretton and M. Wellman.

1.                  APOLOGIES AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Apologies were received from Cllrs D. Fry and G. Harris. Cllr Wellman declared a personal interest in items 2a and 2b on the agenda.

2.            ALFRED MAJOR GROUND:

a):        New play equipment for the play area: No further quotes were received at the time of this meeting.

b)         Up-date on research into Outdoor Fitness Equipment: The Clerk was still gathering information and contacted Sunningdale Parish Council who have installed an Outdoor Fitness circuit in their parish. They have experienced no problems with vandalism on this equipment and invited the Clerk to visit. The Clerk would take some photos for the Cllrs’ information.

c)            Request for new litter bin on the Peace Lane entrance: The Clerk received a request for a new litter bin at the entrance to Peace Lane. Mr Robert Jenkins complained that the area was regularly used as a “dumping ground” for glass bottles and food wrappers. The resident also mentioned that the dog bin was some way off at this entrance. The Council said that many years ago Mr Edwards, a nearby resident did not want any bins here. It was AGREED that the Clerk would write to Mr Edwards to see if he had any objections to the installation of two further bins in this entrance to the park. The Clerk would also seek to find some brighter, more visible stickers for the doggy bins.

3.            FOOTPATHS:

a):            Request for dog bin on footpath alongside the Anchor Court development: A request had been received from Angela Jenkins requesting a dog bin on this footpath. The Committee declined to approve a bin due to the land being either privately owned of the property of RBWM. The other issue would be emptying the bin on a regular basis. It was AGREED to write to Mrs Jenkins and explain this.

b)            Comment on the Cookham “Easy Going” route: This was a new venture from Sharon Winfield at RBWM. The idea was to promote the views of Cookham with an “easy going” route designed for less able ramblers and those with mobility problems. The map and route was discussed and the recent opening of FP60 under Cookham Bridge was one obvious comment. The Council were also concerned of a possible step down by the Upper Thames Sailing Club which the Clerk offered to check on one of her dog walks. Overall, the Committee were supportive of this venture.

4.            ALLOTMENTS:

a)                  Comment on draft contract for chickens to be kept on the allotments at Alleyns Lane: The Clerk presented a draft contract for discussion. It was AGREED that there would be no extra charge for tenants who already leased their plots. However, it was also decided to insist that any tenant who wanted to keep chickens must rent a ten pole plot rather than five poles. A sentence would be added to say that Cookham Parish Council reserved the right to refuse any applicant whether they already own an allotment or not. It was also AGREED to limit the chickens to a maximum of eight hens per tenant. That would give a maximum of eighty hens on the allotment at any one time. The Clerk would incorporate these changes in the contract and give this to a solicitor.

b)         Mirror at the entrance of Sutton Allotments: The Clerk has been asked by several tenants to explore erecting a mirror to aid the exit of cars at Sutton allotments.  RBWM would not support the installation of a mirror on the highway because the guidelines from the Dept of Transport is that the mirrors could be considered unsafe. Apparently they make it hard to judge the speed of oncoming traffic and in bad weather the glare from the car lights off a mirror could blind other drivers. The only option is to erect a mirror on private ground. The problem with this is that the Council or the land-owner could be held responsible for any accidents near the mirror. The Clerk has however, suggested an alternative action. There is already one telegraph pole that is currently leaning over and could prove to be dangerous. The Clerk will write to SSE to ask them to not only make this pole safe – but also to move the telegraph pole which currently obscures the vision of traffic coming from Cookham.

5.            FINANCE:

a)         Draft budget for Footpaths & Open Spaces projects in the 2008-2009 financial year: The figures already contained draft estimates put in by the Clerk. The 2008-2009 total expenditure figure was £21,700 – up from the 07-08 budget of £20,500. So far this year, the Committee have spent £13,991 up to the end of October 07. Total income for this Committee was estimated at £2721 up from £2312. Cllr Wellman reminded the Cllrs that these figures do not include any expenditure and refund from 106 developers contributions. Other ideas for developers contributions were also discussed including the possibility of putting a new fence around Cookham Rise allotments to match the new fence around the play area. (NB: the old part of the play area fence will also need replacing at some point). It was AGREED to forward these figures to the Finance Committee for approval.

b)         Areas of risk throughout the parish: Cllr Wellman said that the area where the land finishes and the river starts, at the end of Stonehouse Lane, could need a sign to make it obvious that the water is deep at the river’s edge. The rushes and reeds do not make the river’s edge clear. A list of key holders for the Alfred Major and the Causeway would also be useful – plus a note to reiterate the importance of these keys.

The Meeting closed at 8.25pm.