COOKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the PLANNING COMMITTEE held at the

PRESENT:      Cllr H.J. Woodbridge (Chairman), Cllr M. Barnes (Vice Chairman)

Cllrs P. Brockwell, M. Coker, F. Hewer, M. Innes, M. L. Kellaway,

R. Piercey, D. Ricardo, Jean Stretton and M. Wellman.

Also present:    Sonia Kapur (Maidenhead Advertiser)

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OPEN FORUM: No members of the public were present.

1.                  APOLOGIES AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Apologies were received from Cllrs G. Harris, M. Brar, D. Fry and John Stretton. Cllr Innes and Ricardo declared a personal interest in Pln Appn 08/02438. Cllr Wellman (and belatedly, Cllr Woodbridge) declared a personal interest in Pln Appn 08/02665.

2.                  PLANS CONSIDERED & DISCUSSED:

3.            APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENTS ON THE REVISED TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT SECTION OF THE REVISED COOKHAM PLAN: The final amendments were circulated to the Councillors. On the proposition of Cllr Barnes, seconded by Cllr Kellaway, it was AGREED to publish the revised Traffic and Transport section of the Cookham Plan. Cllr Ricardo abstained from the vote.

4.            INSTALLATION OF RAILWAY MAST ON LAND NORTH OF HALFWAY HOUSES: Cllr Coker explained some of the technical reasons why Network Rail needed to install a new digital communications mast with associated equipment cabinet. It was to be located in land adjacent to the railway track, north of Halfway Houses. The Planning Officer had informed the Parish Council that this was permitted development as it was required in connection with the movement of traffic by rail. The Councillors were concerned that the cabinet was quite large and would look out of place in such an open area. Although the Council understand that the design is generic, they would like if possible, some way of camoflaging the cabinet – possibly painting it green may help.

5.            LETTER FROM THAMES VALLEY POLICE RE: NEIGHBOURHOOD ACTION GROUPS: The Councillors discussed the letter and the first meetings of the NAG groups. Cllr Kellaway said that her husband (Borough Cllr Richard Kellaway) had attended the first meetings but had not received any invites for some time. Unfortunately the Police Conference planned for the 2^nd December clashed with our own Full Council Meeting. The Council AGREED to write to the police and recommend a fresh public re-launch. It was also AGREED to offer them the platform of the next Annual Parish Meeting in March for a possible re-launch. It would also be recommended that a structure and programme of meetings should be in place before the re-launch in order to retain the momentum.

6.            CHAIRMAN’S SUBMISSIONS: A letter had been received from Mr Richard Gold concerning the new car park lights at Winter Hill Golf Club. It was noted that this letter had been sent to the Community Services Directorate and the Cllrs were concerned that it would not reach the Enforcement Department. It was AGREED to send a copy of the letter to the Head of Planning, Tim Slaney and Eric Nichol in Enforcement.

The VDS Remit Document was also discussed. The changes suggested by Cllr Hewer had been considered by the Working Group and most were accepted apart from a revision on Section 7. Cllr Hewer wanted the Group to be a recognised Advisory Group of the Parish Council but the VDS team felt strongly that they were an independent group of villagers. Cllr Ricardo had issued an email detailing his fears that the Working Group would be given a large sum of tax-payers money without the need to remain fully accountable. Cllr Ricardo stated two cases with the drafting of The Cookham Plan where money was spent unnecessarily and with no knowledge of the Parish Council. The Chairman agreed with Cllr Ricardo’s fears and stated that it was the duty of the Council to be accountable for tax-payers money and ensure it was spent wisely. After some debate it was AGREED to allow the VDS Group to have an independent bank account but the Clerk would, in her role as Secretary on the Working Group, take note of how the money was spent and report back to the Parish Council. (It has since been suggested by the VDS Working Group to run a bank account for non-council money and to keep the Council money within Council accounts so that VAT can be easily claimed thus giving better value to the tax-payer.) It was also AGREED to write to The Cookham Society and RBWM to invite donations and/or grants.

The meeting closed at 9.00pm.