COOKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

 Minutes of a Meeting of the

 FOOTPATHS & OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE

PRESENT:       Cllr G. Harris (Chairman)

Cllrs M. Barnes, G. Harris, M. Innes, D. Ricardo and Cllr Woodbridge (co-opted).

1.                  APOLOGIES AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Apologies were received from Cllr John Stretton, M. Brar and R. Piercey. Cllr G. Harris declared a personal interest in item 4b on the agenda.

2.            ALFRED MAJOR GROUND:

a)            Review of insurance claims, repairs and offer of tree  Cllr Harris had been to look at the tree which was a Silver Birch approx. 3-4 metres tall. He had arranged with the owner to move it in October. It was mentioned that the money from Berkshire Taxis could pay the contractor’s bill for moving the tree. A metal case would be either purchased or used from a tree on the other side of the Alfred Major to try to protect the tree. The Clerk said that the insurance claim to replace the kiddie rocker had been agreed by the insurance company. The fence claim was being processed at present but the Clerk was still waiting for Steve Taylor to give a quote for replacing all the rotten fence. The offer of a bench from a family who had recently suffered a bereavement but without any actual request in writing made it impossible for the Parish Council to further this verbal request.

b)         Winter works on Junior pitch and refurbishment of goal posts: The Junior pitch was let to Cookham Dean Football Club for a separate agreement last winter. The Clerk had heard that they did not wish to rent the junior pitch for this year. The goal mouths were badly worn as a result of the extra play throughout the year. It was AGREED that the Clerk would liaise with the contractors to agree a reasonable programme of pitch maintenance, especially in the goal mouth areas. It was also AGREED that the goal posts should be taken in for painting during November and replaced in March.

c)         Large Cedar Tree on the Alfred Major: The police had requested that the lower branches of the large Cedar Tree were removed to stop the hiding of objects that had been found under the tree. The police had recovered a steak knife and a bung used for drugs. It was AGREED that the Clerk would contact Joe Stoneman to liaise with the Chairman about the number of branches to remove.

3.            FOOTPATHS:

a)         Update on FP 65: The Environment Agency had completed their refurbishment of this cut in the water way. FP 65 had been moved back away from the edge of a drop into the river and four strands of wire indicated the edge of the path. However there was nothing to stop a child rolling down the steep bank and in to the water. Cllr Harris considered this to be dangerous. It was AGREED that the Clerk would contact Andrew Fletcher about the safety on this path.

Cllr Barnes then brought up the litter on Odney Common but as the item was not on the agenda, discussion was limited. The Clerk confirmed that Nigel Davis from RBWM would continue emptying the bins even if the Council diverted away from the wheely bins that had been in use for several years.

4.            ALLOTMENTS:

a)            Fencing quote for Sutton Allotments: A quote from Whatling Contractors had been received for £1450.00. It was AGREED that the necessity to get this project finished for the safety of the Sutton Allotment holders outweighed the use of any further time to get other quotes and were within the guidelines of Standing Orders. On the proposal of Cllr Barnes, seconded by Cllr Woodbridge it was AGREED to go ahead with this work.

b)            Review of allotment running costs with income: The Clerk said that the main difference to the running costs this year was the high water bills. This was due to the theft of the taps at both Sutton and Cookham Dean allotments on several occasions. The taps were stolen and the water left to flow until someone turned off the stop cock. If the Council ignored the sum allowed for regeneration, the allotment rents just about covered the water bill. Cllr Harris said that the regeneration costs may fall as the allotments were full this year. It was AGREED to continue monitoring and take another look later in the year when we are setting our budgets.

c)             Discussion of whether to charge more for tenants outside the parish: Cllr Wellman said that the small amount extra that tenants outside the parish may pay would make little difference to finances. It was AGREED to leave the allotment rental costs unchanged but to continue to give Cookham residents the priority.

d)         New fence around Cookham Rise allotment: The Clerk had no further news and was still waiting for Steve Taylor to complete this work.

5.             BOROUGH IN BLOOM:

a)            Confirmation of winners prizes and thank-you’s to the judges:  It was AGREED that the winners of the Gardens In Bloom would received Gardening Gift vouchers as last year. The Clerk said that they were well-received. It was also agreed to give a cheque for £25 to Ual McGowen and vouchers to Caroline Foster for the judging of Cookham Rise.

6.         To consider risk around the Parish: The Clerk mentioned the goal post holes on the Alfred Major that could trip a walker. It was AGREED to write to Cookham Dean Football Club to ask them to fill their holes but it was also AGREED to cover the holes on the Junior pitch first!  The Meeting closed at 9.40pm.

Copies to all other Councillors for information.