Open Spaces Report 030924

 

CHEPPING WYCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL

OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE

Report of the meeting held on Tuesday 3 September 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 S Digby                                                                                                                          Cllr L Johncock                                                  Cllr H Darch                                                                                                                        Cllr S Herron                                                       Cllr D Johncock

                                Cllr K Wood (ex officio)

 

Also present:  Mr R King (Loudwater Bowls Club)

 

 

OS/24/014           Apologies for absence

There were no apologies.

 

OS/24/015           Declarations of members’ interests in Items on the agenda

There were none.

 

The chairman of committee asked to suspend standing orders and re-order the agenda as follows; all present approved the request.

 

OS/24/016           Derehams Recreation Ground

• Loudwater Bowls Club

Members had been asked to note the letter received from the Bowls Club in July asking for guidance on the possible removal of their clubhouse, along with the confirmation that the club would be dissolved at the end of the current season.  Information received from Cllr Jordan, who had been attending the club meetings, suggested that there had been interest in the site from a neighbouring bowls club. 

 

Mr King attended the meeting to bring members up to date with the situation at the Bowls Club.  He asked that the lease be cancelled and left a schedule of assets – attached to the minutes.  He also advised that the interest that had been shown by the neighbouring club was no longer viable.  Members expressed their sadness that the club would be closing. 

 

It was RESOLVED that;

The Clerk contact the solicitors in order that the lease could be cancelled, and any handover of assets could be undertaken as smoothly as possible, and liaise with Mr King.

 

OS/24/017           Delegated Actions

Members were asked to note following delegated actions since the last committee meeting in May 2024;

 

Tree work:

Elmshott Close, Tylers Green – removal of dead Oak tree                                                               £750.00

15 Hillside Road, Tylers Green – removal of overhanging branch and dead Beech tree       £475.00

Boundary Road, Loudwater – removal of Sycamore and 2 Ash trees                                           £675.00

 

OS/24/018           Allotments

Members were asked to note that following the inspections undertaken in May and June – 28 letters in total, across both sites, were sent out to underperforming allotment holders.  Since then, 5 had been returned at Chapel Road and 3 at Ashley Drive.  The allotment renewals had been sent out which may also result in further allotments being given back.

 

Members were also asked to note that the track at Chapel Road would be inspected by the grounds team with view to organising remedial work to the potholes.

 

It was also noted that the track at the bottom of Ashley Drive allotments (near the scout hut) needed some attention.

 

1  Allotment Competition

Following the judging by Cllr Webb and Cllr Wilks that took place on Saturday 20 July, members were asked to note winners at each site.

 

Members were also asked to note that the BBQ at Flackwell Heath (11 August) had been a great success, and the Picnic at Ashley Drive was due to take place on Saturday 7 September, all were welcome.

 

OS/24/019           Playgrounds

1  Straight Bit Recreation Ground, Flackwell Heath

1.1  Straight Bit Car Park

Members were asked to note that the car park had been successfully resurfaced and marked.

 

1.2  Accident Claim

Members were asked to note that there was a claim being made for damage sustained to a car windscreen at the above site.  The insurance company were involved and dealing with the issue.

 

2  Boundary Road Recreation Ground, Loudwater

2.1  Safety Surface

Members were asked to note that the safety surfacing had been completed.

 

3  Ashley Drive Recreation Ground, Tylers Green

5.3.1  Safety Surface

Members were asked to note that the safety surfacing had been completed.

 

3.2  Replacement Springy

Members were asked to note that the new springy was still on order but had been prioritised for installation.

 

OS/24/020           Derehams Lane Recreation Ground

Members were asked to note that the pre-planning advice was still awaited.  Repeated requests for a response had been made via the architect.

 

Members were asked to note that there has been interest in rejuvenating the Orchard at the site.  However, the clerk was unable to give any update at the present time, due to a meeting with the interested parties being postponed. 

 

Members were asked to note that a meeting with a company called Padel House, who are promoting Padel a game played in doubles on an enclosed court.  Cllr Webb provided a verbal report on the meeting along with a short description of how the game was played.   It was felt that the sport was currently expensive and inaccessible but its growing popularity in the UK was noted and acknowledged. 

 

OS/24/021           Tree Work

Members were asked to consider the quotations received for tree work along the Railway Land.  These works required a climber and were outside the expertise of the grounds team. 

 

The quotes received were Quote A £1,050.00 and Quote B £950.00.  Both contractors were used on a regular basis and produce a high standard of work.

 

It was RESOLVED that:

Quote B be in the sum of £950.00 be approved and the works ordered.

 

Members were asked to consider works to the footpath leading from Straight Bit to Cherrywood Gardens in Flackwell Heath.  The surface of the path is looked after by Buckinghamshire Council, however the verge between the path surface and the property fences is in ‘no man’s land’.  An initial quote had been obtained to gauge the potential cost involved the options laid out as follows:

 

Option 1 – cutting branches away from cables only                                                              £600.00

Option 2 – cutting branches as above and trimming sides along the alleyway        £1,650.00

Option 3 –  cutting branches as above reducing the width and height of hedge      £4,250.00

 

It was RESOLVED that;

In the first instance, Option 1 would be approved and then a visit to the site arranged for members to assess what further action to take

 

OS/24/022           Memorial Plaque Project, Tylers Green Common

Members were asked to note that the first 11 stainless steel replacement plaques had been completed at a cost of £418.00 – these are for the trees along Track 6 (opposite the village hall).  The next batch would be sent off shortly.

 

OS/24/023           Committee Site Visit Feedback

Following the committee site visit in July members were asked to note the completed works that had been highlighted;

 

Tylers Green Commons

• Trees on the back Common crown lifted
• A survey had been undertaken for the replacement of posts around the Common and these are on order
• A replacement Rowan for the Back Common would be ordered for planting over winter.
• Cllr Forbes had started to refresh the Management Plan and will have a meeting with the clerk and warden to further update the Plan.

 

Members were asked to consider the work to the footpaths on the Back Common and on the triangle opposite the village hall.  Both jobs to be undertaken by the grounds team.

 

It was RESOLVED that;

The works to the two footpaths be approved.

 

Railway Land

• Overhanging branches had been removed and trees crown lifted
• The path had also been opened up
• Contact had been attempted with Sustrans – our contact has left the company.
• A land survey of the bank at the site had not yet been instigated – quotes to be obtained.

 

Straight Bit, Flackwell Heath

• Car park was inspected
• Cllr Johncock highlighted the requirement for a refreshed look at a zip wire for the play area. A sub-group meeting would be organised to explore this again.

 

OS/24/024           Committee Budget 2024/25 Initial Discussion

Members were asked to bring along suggestions for projects for the new financial year so that at the next meeting at the end of October a draft budget could be agreed.

 

It was noted that the Biodiversity Strategy was mentioned as this would need some investment.

 

OS/24/025           Committee Finances

1  Committee Finances

Members were asked to note the income and expenditure for month 4 (July)

 

OS/24/026           Questions from committee members and the public

Cllr Darch asked about the letter to the football and cricket club following the unauthorised parking on the common.  The clerk advised that there had been no response.

 

OS/24/027           Accounts for payment

The 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 11355 to 11363 be signed and that transfers to Mr AG Nash (ICU Window Cleaning), direct debits to EE, E-on Next, HMRC, Peninsula Business Services and SSE along with a BACS payment to Barclays Payflow be approved for payment.

 

The chairman of committee thanked members for their attendance and closed the meeting at 8.45pm

 

 

Date and time of next meeting:  Thursday 31 October 2024