25-01-24 Works and Services Committee Minutes

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CHEPPING WYCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL
WORKS & SERVICES COMMITTEE
“Cherish the past, adorn the present, construct for the future”

Report of the meeting held on Thursday 25 January 2024 commencing at 7.30pm
in the Council Chamber, Cock Lane, Tylers Green, High Wycombe, Bucks HP10 8DS

Present: Cllr C Dodds – Chairman Cllr C Jordan
Cllr R Wilks (Vice-chairman) Cllr K Wood
Cllr A Barron Cllr S Herron
Cllr L Johncock Cllr D Johncock
Cllr J Gurney

Also present: Cllr I Forbes

WS/23/050 Apologies for absence
Cllr J Herschel – family
Cllr S Barrett did not attend.

WS/23/051 Declarations of members’ interests in Items on the agenda
Cllr K Wood declared an interest in agenda item 15 Accounts for Payment being a recipient of an expense’s cheque numbered 11239.

WS/23/052 Delegated Action
Members were asked to note the following designated action by the Chairman of committee and the clerk since the last committee meeting in October:
• Repair to a lamp column in Chapel Lane at a cost of £350.00. We are attempting to seek compensation from the company who caused the damage.

WS/23/053 Offices, depot and warden’s house
Members were asked to note that the roadside hedge in the warden’s garden had been removed and the fence had been extended.
The councillors agreed it was a job well done. It was noted that a lorry had already gone over the verge and the question was raised as to whether wooden stakes could be installed to prevent it happening again.

WS/23/054 Cemeteries
Members were asked to note that the deputy clerk had uploaded all the memorials in Hammersley Lane Garden of Rest to the Find a Grave website. The next step is to photograph and upload the memorials for Cock Lane Cemetery.
Altona Road Cemetery
Members were asked to note that 6 crab apple trees and holly were planted by our Grounds Team before Christmas. We are awaiting the wording for the plaque from the person who is funding one of the trees in honour of Cllr Bob Kin.
Hammersley Lane Garden of Rest
Members were asked to note that Mr Godliman had inspected the small flint wall and no repairs were required.

WS/23/055 War Memorials
Members were asked to receive a verbal report from the deputy clerk following a reply from the War Memorials Trust regarding the cleaning of the Flackwell Heath War Memorial.
The deputy clerk updated the members. The War Memorials Trust advised against cleaning the main plinth because the names are clearly legible. Over cleaning can reduce its lifespan. Their position is that the cleaning should be to keep it in a stable condition and not create a ‘like new’ appearance. They have advised that the inscription panels at the base of the plinth could be gently cleaned with low pressure water and natural bristle brushes. As the memorial is Grade II listed, even minor works may require Listed Building Consent.

Members were asked to note that Cllr Dodds, Cllr Wilks and the deputy clerk had met with the LAT to discuss installing bollards on the pavement at the Loudwater War Memorial.
It was noted that the LAT was going to check services and get approval.

WS/23/056 BT cabinets
Members were asked to note that the two cabinets (one on the corner of Hedley Rd and Chapman Lane FH and one on the junction of Swains Lane and Fennels Farm Way FH) had been painted.
Cllr Wood would email a list of cabinets in TG requiring painting to the deputy clerk.

WS/23/057 FH Street Litter Bins
Members were asked to note that we had received confirmation from Buckinghamshire Council that they would be replacing 11 of the green litter bins with their own black litter bins around the main commercial parts of Flackwell Heath on or off Straight Bit. One bin, on Common Road (outside the old bank), would be removed and not replaced. The works would be completed by the end of March.
It was noted that the situation with the litter would be reviewed if it became problematic, following the removal of the one bin.

WS/23/058 Vehicles
Members were asked to note that the Grounds Team would be going with the clerk to test a new Isuzu 4×4 vehicle with the intention to trade in the current one if approval is granted subject to the team’s satisfaction.
Members were asked to consider and, if so minded, approve the virement of £10,000 from EMR Cemeteries to EMR Vehicles.
It was noted that the virement would be deferred to F&GP for the EMR review.

Members were asked to consider and, if so minded, approve the trade in of the current Isuzu 4×4 for a new one with updated specification. The estimated cost for part exchange and after the local government discount will be in the region of £22,500. If approved, it would be recommended to F&GP for approval.
It was RESOLVED that;
The estimate of £22,500 for a part exchange for the trade in of the Isuzu 4×4 be approved and recommended to Full Council for approval.

WS/23/059 LED Footway Lighting
Members were asked to note that a purchase order for the testing of all the LED footway lighting in Loudwater had been raised and the work had been started.

WS/23/060 Parish Litter Scheme
Members were asked to note that we had received an email from a Loudwater resident who undertakes two litter sweeps a year, one in January and one in the summer. They cover the highway and verge area between the red circles, covering parts of Whitehouse Lane and then Gatemoor Lane.
Members were asked to consider and, if so minded, approve a donation of £50 per annum to their chosen charity, Wycombe Food Hub.
It was RESOLVED that;
The £50 donation per annum be approved.

WS/23/061 Cats eye reflectors
Members were asked to note that we had received a reply from Buckinghamshire Council. Treadaway Hill is scheduled to be resurfaced between 15th and 24th January and the cats eyes and lining is due to take place thereafter. Sheepridge Lane is not a high priority as there is only a legal requirement for cats eyes where there is a double lined system in place.
It was noted that the resurfacing had been delayed due to the bad weather.

WS/23/062 Committee Finances
Members were asked to note the committee’s income and expenditure to Period 9 (December).

WS/23/063 Questions from committee members and the public
• Cllr Wood informed the committee that the post box at the top of Hammersley Lane had been closed up.
The deputy clerk would write to Royal Mail.
• Cllr Forbes asked what was being done regarding Footpaths and Bus Shelters in the 5-year plan.
It was noted that bus services had been halved. The on-demand bus service in Flackwell Heath was increasingly being used and may discourage Arriva from doing something on a commercial basis.
• Cllr Dodds informed the committee that a stile needed replacing in Sheepridge Lane.
The deputy clerk would look into this.

WS/23/064 Accounts for payment
Accounts for payment were circulated at the meeting for consideration by councillors.
It was RESOLVED that;
the accounts for payment be approved and cheques numbered 11233 and 11243 be signed and the BACS payment to Barclays Payflow and direct debits to Barclays, NEST, Trade UK, Triumph Technologies, and Unicom and Bank Transfers to S Elborough and DMH Stallard be approved for payment.

The chairman of committee thanked members for their attendance and closed the meeting at 8.14pm.

Date and time of next meeting: Thursday 21 March 2024 at 7.30pm

Signed: Dated: