COOKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the

COOKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

PRESENT: Cllr H.J. Woodbridge (Chairman); Cllr M. Wellman (Vice Chairman)

      Cllrs: M. Barnes, M. Brar, P. Brockwell, M. Coker, D. Fry, G. Harris,

M. Innes, M-L. Kellaway, R. Piercey, D. Ricardo, Jean Stretton and

John Stretton.

1.      APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

Apologies were received from Cllr Hewitt. Cllr Wellman declared a personal interest in item 11. Cllr Coker declared a personal interest in items 8 and 11.

2.                  APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on the 8^th May 2007 were circulated and duly signed with no amendments.

3.                  COMMITTEE REPORTS: The Minutes of the Footpaths and Open Spaces Committee held on 15^th May 2007 were circulated and approved with no amendments.

4.                  TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES:

1.      Cllr Fry attended the Centenary Scout Camp celebrations in Marsh Meadow over the Bank Holiday. The camp was a success even though the weather was wet and windy.

2.      Cllr Brar attended the Borough Planning Meeting to speak against the application at “Bramley” in the High Road. She noted that the Parish Council’s refusal was not supported by the Borough panel.

3.      Cllr Innes attended another meeting of the Pinder Hall Management Committee.

4.      Cllr Coker reported that after many meetings and work from the different committees, the results of the questionnaire for the Parish Plan are due to be published shortly.

5.         TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS UNDER STANDING ORDERS 24/26:  A question had been presented to Cllrs Barnes, Harris and Woodbridge from Cllr Fry concerning the long-awaited report from a sub-committee put together to discuss the problems of traffic, speeding and parking in High Road. Cllr Woodbridge said that a report was now available in the Parish Office. The Clerk was asked to send a copy to Mr and Mrs Burton.

6.            FINANCE:: There were two queries on the list of cheques raised in the month of May as listed on Page 465. Cllr Wellman asked whether the internal auditor would want to know why Philip Holdford had increased his prices. The Clerk said that normal inflation-linked increases would be of little concern to the internal auditor who was more interested in larger cash movements. Cllr Fry asked if the cemetery bill could be broken down. The Clerk replied that it was not possible to break down the work at the cemetery because it was one job but Cllr Fry was welcome to look through Philip Holdford’s contract. The cheques were approved on the proposition of Cllr Stretton and seconded by Cllr Wellman.

7.         BOROUGH COUNCILLORS’ REPORT: Cllr Stretton reported that after many months of legal discussions the footpath should now be open. The main delay was the difference in height from the Ferry side of the fence. The Environment Agency were due to install a board walk with a 1: 10 gradient. However further delay was now being experienced by the company which could make the board walk but not install it – so another contractor was being sought. The footpath may be open by the end of July.

8.         NEW TREES ON THE LEASED PART OF THE PLAYING FIELD AT COOKHAM RISE PRIMARY SCHOOL:  A recent meeting of the Footpaths Committee had recommended to the Council that the school be allowed to keep their trees. Cllr Wellman said that he was in favour of the trees but suggested including a condition. He said this part of the Alfred Major was virtually the only level piece of ground suitable for a tennis court or other sports facility. He proposed that the School be asked to move the trees along the far side of the field in order to leave this space open. It was AGREED that the School would be asked to move the trees in the Autumn. The lease would include a clause to state that if the land reverted back to the Parish Council the trees would be removed, if required, at the school’s expense. The proposal was seconded by Cllr Brockwell. VOTE: IN FAVOUR = 12, ABSTENTION = 2.

9.            NOTICEBOARDS AT BARNSIDE AND STATION PARADE: The noticeboard at Barnside is not in the best position. Cars are frequently parked in front making it difficult to read and to open for new information – whilst there is no noticeboard at all in Station Parade. The Clerk’s idea was to move the noticeboard at Barnside down to Station Parade and order a wooden noticeboard to go outside the Forge Garage in the High Street. The Forge had given their permission in principle and the wooden noticeboard would be more in keeping with a conservation area. Cllr Ricardo thought the pavement was too narrow outside the Forge Garage. Cllr Harris queried the need for planning permission as the Forge is a listed building. It was AGREED to talk to Barnside in the first instance to see if a better position could be secured.

10.            REQUEST TO REPLACE SEAT AT CAUSEWAY BRIDGE: The Clerk had received a request from the National Trust warden, Curly Carver, for the Parish Council to consider replacing the bench seat on the Causeway. Cllr Ricardo was concerned at the amount of rubbish around this seat. It was AGREED that the Clerk should respond to Mr Carver to say that the Parish Council had no objection to the National Trust replacing this seat and supplying bins for the rubbish.

11.            PROJECTS SUITABLE FOR 106 MONIES: The Clerk informed the Council that there was currently £16,000 to spend on football pitches or other environmental projects and £15,000 to spend on play area or teen scene. Cllr Wellman proposed that the Council should go ahead and purchase the third part of the new play equipment recently installed. This was seconded by Cllr Stretton. The equipment would be ordered after the fencing was renovated and the play area made larger. VOTE: IN FAVOUR = 13, ABSTENTION = 1. Various suggestions were made for the £16,000. Cllr Brar was in favour of some facilities for teenagers such as a skate board park. Cllr Wellman said that any idea would need all the details before any application for 106 monies could be submitted. Cllr Ricardo wanted to re-instate the tennis courts for Cookham. Cllr Coker was keen to find out if Cookham Rise Primary School would be interested in a joint deal to purchase CCTV cameras that could cover the Alfred Major and the school. The Clerk was asked to find out from RBWM whether the money earmarked for football pitches could now be used for CCTV. This was AGREED – VOTE: IN FAVOUR = 11, ABSTENTION = 3.

12.       SUBSCRIPTION TO CLERKS AND COUNCILS DIRECT MAGAZINE:  Cllr Fry wished the Parish Council to pay a personal subscription for all Councillors who wished to receive their personal copy. It was AGREED that the item would be put on the agenda of the next Finance Meeting.

13.            CHAIRMAN’S SUBMISSIONS: Various notices were read out. The Chairman also asked for permission for the Clerk to invite Mr Jon Fisher to join the Finance Committee as an adviser. This was AGREED.

14.             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.

The Meeting closed at 9.15pm.