COOKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the

 FOOTPATHS & OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE

PRESENT:       Cllr G. Harris (Chairman)

Cllrs M. Barnes, M. Brar, R. Piercey: D. Ricardo, M. Wellman and H. J. Woodbridge.

1.                  APOLOGIES AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Apologies were received from Cllrs D. Fry and M. Innes. Cllrs Brar and Wellman declared a personal interest in item 2a and prejudicial for Station Hill as an alcohol-free zone. Cllr Brar also declared a personal interest in item 2b. Cllr Harris declared a personal interest in items 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d.

2.            ALFRED MAJOR GROUND:

a)            Alcohol-free zone on the Alfred Major: Cllrs Ricardo and Woodbridge were concerned that this would stop residents using the recreation ground for picnics and Cookham Dean Football Club allowed spectators to enjoy drinks whilst watching the football match. Cllr Barnes suggested imposing a time to enforce the alcohol-free zone such as 7pm – 7am. The Councillors were not sure why Bridge Avenue and High Road were also included in the suggestions from RBWM but agreed to the inclusion of Station Hill.

b)         Tree over-hanging the property at 21 Hillcrest Avenue: Mr Partridge had asked the Parish Council to consider cutting back or lopping the self-seeded tree on the boundary of the Alfred Major. The tree was over-hanging his garage and becoming a hazard. The Councillors AGREED to get a quote to fell the tree but to leave the roots.

c)         Up-date on break-down of works on Alfred Major: Prior to the preparation of the tender documents, Cllr Wellman had broken up the main areas of work on the Alfred Major into sections: mowing; play area; fitness area; and the edges. The Clerk would draw up a tender document based on this break-down and return this document for comment to the Council.

d)         Up-date on the Outdoor Fitness Zone: The Clerk gave a brief résumé of the work continuing on this project. The safety matting was in place and the grass was already starting to grow through. Some of the signs needed changing and the wording on the Welcome Sign was now agreed.

e)         Up-date on Chairman’s plans re: 106 monies: The Chairman spoke of the wish to replace the rest of the play area fence and enlarge the area. There may be a possibility of installing picnic benches. A new fence around the allotments would have to be15ft high to deter youngsters from coming over. The Chairman was thinking of metal posts and struts with plastic-covered chainlink. The Clerk confirmed that this was an approved parish project. The Councillors also spoke of making the Cookham Rise allotments a little smaller. The Chairman would give a specification to the Clerk to enable her to get quotes.

3.            FOOTPATHS:

a)            Improvements at Stonehouse Common: The entrance would need some improvements and the Common would need better definition to show that this was Parish Council owned land. The concrete posts could benefit from removal and a better sign to state that there was access to river. The sign at the top of Stonehouse Lane was also mis-leading as it said “no access to river”. The Clerk was asked to speak to the Highways Department about this sign. The river bank could also do with a tidy up but the reeds should stay as they were an important element in the natural look for this part of the river bank. The Clerk would make enquiries about a possible slipway.

4.            ALLOTMENTS:

a)         Skip at Sutton allotments: A skip for Sutton Allotments was approved by the Councillors. The Clerk would arrange this as soon as possible.

b)         Up-date on entrance improvements at Sutton: Cllr Harris has a meeting booked with an RBWM tree officer. There are certain rules and conditions linked to taking a hedge out that is next to agricultural land. Allotments could be considered agricultural. It was agreed that whatever hedging was taken out would be replaced on the inside of the hedge. Cllr Harris was asked to get a price from the contractor for replacing the hedge with fencing both sides of the main gate. The Clerk was asked to contact SSE and get a map of exactly where the electric cable was positioned.

c)         Setting a limit for allotment holders plots: It was AGREED that any new tenant would be limited to a maximum of ten poles for the first two years. If they coped well with this size and wanted a larger plot, a maximum of twenty poles would be allowed for any one allotment holder, subject to the status of the waiting list. This ruling would only apply to new tenants.

d)            Suggested change to tenancy agreement: Mr Alan Endicott had written to the Clerk to suggest an additional pledge on the tenancy agreement from the Parish Council to try to control the wild life that destroys the crops on the allotments. Mr Endicott would be told that the tenancy agreement was a legal document supplied by RBWM and that the Council could not justify the time and expense to alter this agreement. The Parish Council were happy that they were taking all reasonable steps to try to control the wild life on the allotments.

5.            BRITAIN IN BLOOM:

a)            Review of the judges’ comments: The judges were keen to see more community involvement in all three Cookham villages. It was noted that a portfolio would help the entry and that such a document could be available after the Village Design Statement has been published. Publicity of the competition also needs to increase. The Clerk felt that the Council web site could help in the publicity.

6.            FINANCE:

a)         Budget for 2009-2010 financial year and any specific projects: The Chairman went through the budget noting that a significant sum for projects paid for by 106 monies would distort the figures on both the income and expenditure totals. The recommendations would be forwarded to the Finance Committee for their next meeting.

The Meeting closed at 9.02pm.