Open Spaces Report 11 January 24

 

CHEPPING WYCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL

OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE

Members of the council are summoned to attend the meeting to be held on Thursday 11 January 2024 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 Webb (Vice-chairman)                        Cllr C Jordan                                      

                                Cllr J Gurney                                                      Cllr L Johncock                                                                                                                  Cllr H Darch                                                        Cllr S Herron                                                                                                                       Cllr D Johncock                                                  Cllr K Wood (ex officio)

 

 

OS/23/039           Apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received and approved from Cllr S Digby (holiday)

 

OS/23/040           Declarations of members’ interests in Items on the agenda

Cllr Darch declared an interest in agenda item 11 Accounts for payment – for cheque no 11232 Tylers Green First School – being a governor at the school.

 

OS/23/041           Delegated Action

Members were asked to note that the following delegated action was taken at a cost of £600.00 since the last committee meeting;

 

Fell one rotten hornbeam and removal of dead overhanging branches in Track 5                

Back Common, Tylers Green the track leads down to Potters Cross

 

OS/23/042           Allotments

Members were asked to note that there were no vacancies at either site.

 

There are however 14 people on the waiting list for Ashley Drive and 1 on the waiting list for Chapel Road.

 

4.1  Chapel Road

Members were asked to note that following a meeting with the Flackwell Heath Allotment Association before Christmas it had been highlighted that persons’ unknown had been leaving electric lawnmowers in the shed.  A sign has been placed on the shed to ask for their removal.

 

4.2  Ashley Drive

Members were asked to note that due to the continual waiting list issues the allotment plots on the back boundary will be re-instated along with the plot that had been used as the composting area, this will provide 6 extra plots.  This has been made possible due to the removal of the majority of the hedge which has been replaced by property owners on that boundary with fencing.

 

OS/23/043           Playgrounds

1  Straight Bit Recreation Ground, Flackwell Heath

1.1  Telecommunications mast

Members were asked to receive a verbal update from the Clerk advising that further investigation into planning were being made prior to making any response to Beacomms.  These issues would be followed up next week.

 

1.2  Flackwell Heath Bowls Club Site Visit

Members were asked to consider arranging a further meeting with the Bowls Club who were asking for help with car parking and the access pathway across the recreation ground.

 

It was RESOLVED that;

A further meeting would be arranged, date and time yet to be confirmed.

1.3  Straight Bit Car Park

Members were asked to consider obtaining quotations for the re-surfacing and marking of the car park.

 

It was RESOLVED that;

The Clerk be asked to obtain quotations for the re-surfacing and marking to include extra parking spaces behind the toilet block in an attempt to mitigate the lack of parking areas in Flackwell Heath.

 

2  Boundary Road Recreation Ground, Loudwater

2.1  Winter Planting

Members were asked to note that the planting discussed at the last committee meeting had been ordered and would be planted on receipt.

 

OS/23/044           Oakland Way, Flackwell Heath

Members were asked to note that the Licence 50 had been completed and the bollards were on order.

 

It was noted that Cllr Webb would notify the resident concerned.

 

OS/23/045           Skate Park Update

Members were asked to receive a verbal update from Cllr D Johncock and Cllr L Webb.

 

It was noted that not much progress had been made.  The survey was still waiting for independent analysis.  Any updates would be brought back to the committee.

 

OS/23/046           Derehams Lane Recreation Ground

Members were asked to note the revised drawing for the pre-planning stage.  Members were asked to note that the architect had advised that;

• a two-storey building would not be looked on favourably,
• the tracks had been costed as having a self-binding gravel surface,
• the buildings would better suit a modular form of construction which would minimise any downtime – costings should be allowed around £2.5k to £3k per m² , thus probable costs of between £250k – £300k for the changing facilities/garage and £375K – £450k for the pavilion.
• The project could be split into different elements for planning purposes – with a masterplan for the whole scheme.

 

Members were asked to consider the move to the next stage of pre-planning.  The architect would prepare a Supporting Statement to be sent along with the drawings.

 

It was noted that the pre-planning stage was important and that once planning permission had been granted more accurate costings would be obtained.  Then an informed decision could be made on what the parish could afford and take forward. 

 

It was RESOLVED that;

It be approved that the Derehams project move to the next stage of pre-planning with assistance from the architect.

 

Cllr Forbes and Cllr Darch both abstained from the vote as they had concerns about the affordability of the project.

 

OS/23/047           Committee Finances

1  Income and Expenditure Month 8

Members were asked to note the committee income and expenditure to Period 8 (November).  Income was ahead against expenditure.

 

OS/23/048           Questions from committee members and the public

There were no questions.

 

 

OS/23/049           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 11227 to 11231 be signed and BACS payment to Payflow along with direct debts to E-on Next, EE, Barclays, Castle Water, Grenke Leasing, Shell (Fuelcard Services), Shorts, SSE, Trade UK and Unicom be approved for payment.

 

 

Date and time of next meeting:  Tuesday 5 March 2024 @ 7.30pm 

 

 

The chairman thanked members for their attendance and closed the meeting at 8.04pm