07-03-19 Open Spaces Committee Minutes

This area contains text from the agenda or minutes of the meeting to facilitate searches on this website. Please refer to the Agenda or Minutes/ Report buttons above if you are looking for something.

 

CHEPPING WYCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL
OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE

Report of the meeting held on Thursday 7 March 2019 commencing at 7.30pm
in the Council Chamber, Cock Lane, Tylers Green, High Wycombe, Bucks HP10 8DS

The meeting is open to members of the public and press

Present: Cllr L Willis (Chairman) Cllr J Herschel
Cllr L Johncock (Vice-chairman) Cllr C Jordan
Cllr J Gurney Cllr S Digby Cllr M Wilkes Cllr K Wood Cllr J Johnson

Also present: Cllr B Kin, Cllr R Wilks, Mr G Christie (CWPC warden) and 3 residents from Tylers Green

The meeting start was delayed due to an overrun of the previous meeting and started at 7.45pm

OS/18/076 Apologies for absence
Apologies for absence were received and approved from Cllr I Forbes (holiday)

OS/18/077 Declarations of members’ interests in Items on the agenda
There were none.

OS/18/078 Delegated Actions
Members were asked to note that since the last committee meeting in January the following delegated action was taken by the chairman of the committee and clerk; Orchard Green hedge increase at a cost of £950.00.

OS/18/079 Allotments
Members were asked to note that at the time of the meeting the following vacancies existed at the allotment sites; Chapel Road – 9 full plots and Ashley Drive – 4 full plots and 1 half plots

There was no one currently on the waiting list.

It was noted that the Flackwell Heath Allotment Association were arranging a talk, all are welcome the cost of admittance is £12.00.

1 Ashley Drive Allotments
Members were asked to note that work on the replacement shed was due to start on Monday 4 March 2019.

2 Noticeboards
Members were asked to note that the noticeboards for both allotment sites had been ordered and were due to arrive by the end of March.

OS/18/080 Magpie Wood
Members were asked to note the report from the site visit that took place on Thursday 31 January 2019.

Member were asked to consider the recommendations within the report.

It was RESOLVED that;
fencing to the boundary of Magpie Wood be approved. Palisade fencing to the boundary along the path behind the properties on Robinson Road, post and wire fencing to the boundary with Robinson Road and Rayners Avenue and up the bridle way.

Members were asked to note the report from Cllr Jordan on the further progress made in the wood.

1 Tree works
Members were asked to consider the quotes for tree work to the boundary trees. The trees were leaning towards the properties backing onto the wood and had been identified as a risk.

It was RESOLVED that;
Quote A be approved and the works to the trees be ordered.

OS/18/081 King’s Wood
1 Ride widening on northern boundary
Members were asked to note that the above approved works were ongoing; the felled timber and machinery was currently being removed.

Members were asked to note that the historic CiL monies allocated to this project in the sum of £8,205.75 had been received.

OS/18/082 Tylers Green Common
1 Tracks 4
Members were asked to note that the first contribution letters had been sent out to the residents from Homeleigh to May Cottage. Following discussion with the chairman and vice chairman of the committee it was decided that this would be the first area to tackle.

It was noted that the residents present confirmed receipt of the contribution letter and would themselves contribute towards the cost of the track, however advised that one resident was currently away. It was also noted that the track improvement would benefit the wider community due to it being a through pedestrian route to the church, doctors’ surgery and first school.

Waste lorries would still be a problem and smaller lorries would be better – Clerk to check with SERCO relating to size of bins required or whether bags would be supplied. Information to be circulated to councillors prior to being sent to residents.

Resident left the meeting at 8.20pm

2 Track 5 – Tree issue
Members were asked to consider the quotations to cut back the hedge and trees overhanging the track. Members were reminded that there had been an issue with an ambulance not being able to access a property to the lower section of the track due to the overhanging branches.

Members were asked to note that the owner of some of the trees would be asked to contribute towards the cost of the works.

It was RESOLVED that;
Quote C be approved and the works to the trees be ordered following liaison with the owner.

Residents left the meeting at 8.27pm

3 Path Request
Members were asked to consider a request from the Penn & Tylers Green Residents Society to install a gravel path over the triangle at School Road.

It was RESOLVED that;
the gravel path would not be approved as it was deemed unnecessary.

4 Permit Request – Bouncy Castle
Members were asked to approve permission for the bouncy castle at the Super Fun Run event.

It was RESOLVED that;
the bouncy castle be approved for the event.
 

OS/18/083 Playground Updates
Members were asked to receive updates from the working parties. Members were advised by both working parties that proposals would be brought back to the next committee meeting.

1 Green Dragon Recreation Ground
Members were asked to note that following the last committee meeting when alternative items of equipment were suggested, quotations had been requested and were awaited.

2 Green Dragon Recreation Pavilion
Members were asked to note that an inspection of the pavilion took place on 18 January. The clerk and warden met with the chairman of the football club and discussed the following;

Guttering – repairs needed to be made
Kitchen – improvements needed to be made to ventilation – club looking at external funding
Boot scrapper – to stop excessive mud being travelled through the pavilion – external funding
Car park – improvement to the surface – external funding.

It was noted that the thermal seam at the rear of the property need attention.

Members were asked to note that a letter of support for the external funding had been forwarded to the club; as previously discussed at a Leisure Facilities committee meeting on 7 September – minute LF/17/023.

3 Straight Bit – Flackwell Heath Bowls Club
Members were asked to note that the Bowls Club were concerned about the trees to the rear of the pavilion.

Members were asked to consider the quotes obtained for work along the path behind the pavilion. The quotes had been instigated due to complaints from residents that the trees were overhanging the path and gardens.

It was RESOLVED that;
Quote A be approved and the works be ordered.

There was one abstention.

It was noted that the Warden would be meeting with the Bowls Club green keeper to look at the trees in question.
Members were asked to note that the Bowls Club would be approached for a contribution towards the works specifically behind their ground.

Members were asked to consider Straight Bit and the Bowls Club for inclusion on the Site Visit in July.

It was RESOLVED that;
Straight Bit and the Bowls Club be included on the site visit in July.

OS/18/084 Derehams Lane Recreation Ground
Members were asked to note the short report from the site visit held on 31 January 2019.

1 Loudwater Bowls Club
Members were asked to note that Cllr Jordan had attended a committee meeting at the Bowls Club and was advised that they wished to apply for a grant to assist with some remedial works to the rink. A notice, for display in the Loudwater noticeboard, had also been handed to the clerk to advertise the club.

It was noted that the Clerk had passed a grant application form onto the Chairman of the club. It was advised that if the application is forthcoming it should be to the same value as the grant given to the Flackwell Heath Bowls Club.

OS/18/085 Widmer Pond
1 Water
Members were asked to note that following confirmation from Penn PC for a 50% contribution towards the clearing of the road drain blockage; the works had been ordered.

2 Fish netting
Members were asked to note that the fish health check had been completed and the removal of the fish ordered. Members were also asked to note that Penn PC have confirmed a 50% contribution towards the cost.

OS/18/086 Totteridge Common
Following the last committee meeting in January, quotes had been obtained for the earth bund along the 210 metres of the Common, from the cottages to the Dolphin public house, to increase security from travellers. Members were asked to consider the quotes.

It was RESOLVED that;
Quote C be approved and the works be ordered following planning permission and Environment Agency approval being received.

OS/18/087 Orchard Green Hedge
Members were asked to note that the planting to the corner of the hedge had been completed.

Members were asked to consider the installation of a post and rail fence to the roadside of the hedge at the recommendation of the Warden with an estimated cost of £700.00.

It was RESOLVED that;
the post and rail fencing be approved.

Cllr Herschel abstained from the vote – advising that it was an unnecessary expense as a post and wire fence would be adequate.

OS/18/088 Committee Finances
Members were asked to note the committee income and expenditure to Period 8 (November).

OS/18/089 Questions from committee members and the public
• Cllr Kin was concerned about the condition of Rayners Avenue – he was advised that planned works were due to start.
• Cllr Jordan advised that the verge owned by Bucks County Council at Magpie Wood was looking a mess – he was advised to contact TfB via Fix My Street.
• Cllr Jordan also advised that the Japanese Knotweed present in the other part of the wood was starting to sprout again. The owner should be notified.
• Cllr Gurney advised of the planning breach at 1 Altona Road. Works were still underway even through the owner had an enforcement notice. WDC had been contact numerous times with no apparent action being taken.

OS/18/090 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 9781 to 9785 be signed and and direct debits to EE and Castle Water be approved for payment.

The chairman thanked members for their attendance and closed the meeting at 9.27pm

Date and time of next meeting: Thursday 30 May @ 7.30pm

Signed: Dated 2 May 2019