Click on the button below to view the minutes from this meeting. The document is stored as a PDF document which can be viewed online, or downloaded and saved. Where applicable an appendices document (PDF) has been added which may contain additional supporting documents from this meeting.
If there is an asterisk symbol * on the button, the document(s) for this meeting have not been published yet.
Search Terms
CHEPPING WYCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL
OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE
Report of the meeting held on Tuesday 6 September at 7.30pm at the Council Office, Cock Lane, Tylers Green, High Wycombe Bucks HP10 8DS
Present: Cllr L Willis (Chairman) Cllr I Forbes
Cllr L Johncock (Vice-chairman) Cllr C Jordan
Cllr J Gurney Cllr L Webb Cllr H Darch Cllr S Herron Cllr D Johncock Cllr K Wood (ex officio)
OS/22/014 Apologies for absence
Apologies were received an approved from Cllr Digby (family)
OS/22/015 Declarations of members’ interests in Items on the agenda
There were none.
OS/22/016 Delegated Actions
Members were asked to note that the following delegated action had been taken by the Chairman of committee and the clerk since the last committee meeting in May:
- the pedestrian access gate for Green Dragon Lane Recreation ground had been ordered at a cost of £980.00. This expenditure was undertaken in line with Financial Regulation 4.1.
OS/22/017 Allotments
Members were asked to note that the following vacancies exist at the allotment sites:
Chapel Road – 1 full plot
Ashley Drive – 1 half plot and 3 full plots
There were currently 13 people on the waiting list for Chapel Road. Members were asked to note that the tenancy renewals had just been sent out so further status changes were expected.
1 Allotment Picnic and BBQ
Members were asked to note that the picnic at Ashley Drive went ahead as planned on Saturday 23 July with Cllr Forbes acting as the parish representative, standing in for Cllr Willis. Cllr Forbes advised that the event had been well attended and all the certificates had been handed out.
Th BBQ at Chapel Road had been held on Friday 5 August, Cllr Willis attended the event. It was noted that compared to last year only half the number of people attended. The certificates had not been handed out or the cup due to the lack of attendance. These have been sent out since.
4.2 Allotment Competition
Members were asked to note that the allotment competition had been judged this year by Cllr Roger Wilks and Cllr Katrina Wood, Cllr Willis thanked both councillors. Certificates were awarded for First place, Second place, Third place and highly commended at both sites along with the overall winner’s cup.
OS/22/018 Tylers Green Common
1 Bench Request
Members were asked to consider a request from a resident on the Back Common to place a bench near the tree that holds the rope swing. It was noted that the bench was not the usual type installed by the parish council.
It was RESOLVED that;
The bench be approved with the householder taking responsibility for the ongoing maintenance of the bench.
2 New Road path
Members were asked to note that the grounds team would be undertaking some remedial work to the path leading from New Road up to the Back Common. The path requires raising so as not to allow water pooling and mud.
It was noted that the inclusion of drainage channels further up the path may also help with the water run off.
OS/22/019 Playgrounds
1 Ashley Drive Recreation Ground
1.1 Surfacing requirements
Members were asked to note that the quotations for the surfacing highlighted at the last committee meeting had been requested and were awaited.
2 Straight Bit Recreation Ground
Members were asked to note that no further positive information had been received regarding the last arson attack on the boat. Members were asked to note that repairs to the surfacing would be undertaken, however due to the high temperatures we were now on a list waiting for a date.
Members were asked to consider an offer of sponsorship from a local company to replace the piece of play equipment at the site. Members were asked to note that the company would want their contact details on the equipment along with their corporate branding.
It was RESOLVED that;
The clerk write thanking the company for their offer, however, at this moment in time there are no firm ideas on the replacement piece. The company will be advised that a small plaque could be fixed to the equipment with their name as a sponsor.
2.1 Security
Members were asked to consider the ongoing security requirements for the site, with a view to continuing with the security company but also investigating the installation of palisade fencing along the frontage and side behind the Tennis and Bowls Clubs. Consultation with the neighbouring properties would be required due to their gates onto the site which would have to be blocked.
Members were also asked to consider a quotation for the installation of CCTV equipment at a cost of £2,851.00 with a £15/month charge for a 4G SIM.
It was RESOLVED that;
The clerk be asked to order the CCTV equipment for installation as soon as possible. The security company will be kept on and this will be review at the next committee meeting along with the quote for the palisade fencing.
3 Flackwell Heath Play Equipment sub-group
Members were asked to note that the sub-group met on 16 June 2022.
Member were asked to consider the proposal brought to the committee for two pieces of equipment with associated surfacing at a cost of £12,820.96.
It was noted that at the meeting this proposal had been agreed with a vote of 3:1.
4 Play Inspection Report Issues
Members were asked to note that all the highlighted moderate or above issues had been noted and were currently being dealt with by either a contractor or the grounds team.
OS/22/020 Treeworks
Members were asked to note that planning permission had been received for the removal of the hawthorn/holly and hazel on the Back Common as requested at the committee site visit. The grounds team are scheduled to undertake this work within the next couple of weeks.
Members were asked to note that the memorial trees and the cherry trees would be ordered shortly.
OS/22/021 King’s Wood
Members were asked to note the Annual Report provided by Tilhill our management company.
OS/22/022 Derehams Lane Recreation Ground
Members were asked to consider a quotation received from the company assisting with the office refurbishment to undertake the design and plans for the renovation of the site. Quotation was as follows:
Up to RIBA stage 2 – concept design and pre-planning application advice – £4,100.00
RIBA Stage 3 – Spatial co-ordination and planning application – £2,400.00
It was RESOLVED that;
The quotation be accepted in line with Financial Regulation 4.1.
It was noted that the committee felt that this was a positive step.
OS/22/023 Railway Land
Members were asked to note that following the committee site visit it was highlighted that the railings at the Bridge Bank Close end of the site needed to be replaced, this will be undertaken by the grounds team shortly.
OS/22/024 Flackwell Heath Golf Club Brown Signs
Members were asked to consider a request to support the Golf Club in their attempts to raise the profile of the club. Members were asked to note that this was not a request for funding.
It was RESOLVED that;
The committee were happy to support signs 3 (roundabout at bottom of Treadaway Hill),4 (junction of Straight Bit and The Common and 5 (Junction of Treadaway Rod and North Links Road) in the proposal
OS/22/025 Committee Finances
Members were asked to note the committee income and expenditure to Period 4 (July)
OS/22/026 Questions from committee members and the public
- Cllr Webb asked about the noticeboard for the Flackwell & Loudwater History Group.
The clerk advised that it was in the depot and would be installed as soon as possible by the grounds team.
- Cllr Wood highlighted a request made to Buckinghamshire Council by the Marsh & Micklefield Big Local Group, who are wanting to plant fruit trees on the verge opposite the Loudwater School on Kingsmead Road. The concern being aired was that when the trees have planted the Parish Council should not be involved in any future care of the area – the verge being Buckinghamshire Council land.
The clerk was asked to write to Buckinghamshire Council advising that the Parish Council would not want to be involved in any future care of the area.
- Cllr Darch asked when the hedges would be cut.
The clerk advised that hedge work would be started within the week prior to the tractor arriving.
- Cllr Willis highlighted two areas around Fassetts Road and Queensmead Road that were in need of attention.
Cllr Wood advised that she would take these up with Buckinghamshire Council.
The chairman of the committee thanked members for their attendance and closed the meeting at 8.47pm
Date and time of next meeting: Tuesday 1 November 2022 @ 7.30pm