Open Spaces Report 10 March 2022

CHEPPING WYCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL

OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE

 

Report of the meeting  held on Thursday 10 March 2022 at 7.30pm at the Council Office, Cock Lane, Tylers Green, High Wycombe Bucks  HP10 8DS

 

 

 

Present:                               Cllr L Johncock (Vice-chairman)                 Cllr C Jordan                                      

                                                Cllr J Gurney                                                      Cllr I Forbes                                                                                                        Cllr K Wood                                                        Cllr S Herron                                                                                                       Cllr D Johncock

 

Cllr L Johncock acted as Chairman of the meeting in the absence of Cllr Willis.  Cllr K Wood assisted with the running of the meeting.

 

OS/21/061           Apologies for absence

Apologies were received and approved from Cllr S Digby (holiday), Cllr L Willis (ill) and Cllr L Webb (meeting)

 

OS/21/062           Declarations of members’ interests in Items on the agenda

There were none.

 

OS/21/063           Delegated Actions

Members were asked to note that since the last committee meeting in January the following delegated action had been taken by the chairman of the committee and clerk;

 

• Following Storm Eunice emergency tree works in Forest Way, Micklefield were required at a cost of £800.00.

 

OS/21/064           Allotments

Members were asked to note that the following vacancies exist at the allotment sites at the time of the meeting;

 

Chapel Road – no vacant plots                                   

Ashley Drive – 2 half plot and 6 full plots

 

There are currently 9 people on the waiting list for Chapel Road.

 

OS/21/065           Tylers Green Common

1. Track 4

At the last committee meeting in January the clerk was asked to obtain a revised quote for the works to assist with the redirection of water run off on the section of the track outside May Cottage and Greenhaven.

 

The revised quote received is in the sum of £3,850.00.  It was noted that due to the consistency of the ground being clay and virtually non-porous the drain could, fill and overflow.  Regular maintenance of this drainage system would be required to keep it as clear as possible.

 

Members were asked to consider the quotation.

 

It was RESOLVED that;

A contribution towards the cost of the works would be required prior to progressing any further.

 

OS/21/066           Playgrounds

1  Ashley Drive Recreation Ground

1.1 Benches

Members were asked to note that the Southampton benches had been installed.

 

 

2  Straight Bit Recreation Ground

2.1     Security

Members were asked to note that the extension period of two months would be coming to an end on 21 March. Members were asked to note that, at the time of the meeting, there had been no further damage recorded at the site.  Members were asked to consider if any further extension was required.

 

It was RESOLVED that;

The security company be asked to stop patrolling for the moment with a view to a possible restart later in the year.

 

2.2     Picnic Bench

Members were asked to note that the picnic bench in memory of Carolyn Leonard had been installed inside the play area fencing behind the swing set and tower.

 

3  Flackwell Heath Play Equipment sub-group

Members were asked to note that the sub-group had met on Monday 7 March to discuss further possible equipment purchases for the site.  Members were asked to receive an update from Cllr Liz Johncock.

 

It was noted that the clerk would be finding some play areas with zip wires for the sub-group to visit.  The next meeting would be taken place in April.

 

OS/21/067           The Queen’s Green Canopy

At the last committee meeting Cllr Darch suggested to plant memorial trees around the commons in memory of those from the village who gave their lives in the 1939-45 war was agreed; the parish has now received suggestions from the Penn  Tylers Green Resident’s Society.

 

The 5 village sign sites in Flackwell Heath for cherry trees has been put on a temporary hold.

 

Members were also asked to note that the initial 3 trees had been planted in Boundary Road Recreation Ground, Jubilee Gardens, Flackwell Heath and on the triangle opposite the Village Hall in Tylers Green.  They have been pinned on the Queen’s Green Canopy map  and plaques are to follow.

 

OS/21/068           Magpie Wood

Members were asked to note the report from Cllr Jordan on the work undertaken in the wood since October 2021.

 

Members thanked Clive and Brian Turnock for all their hard work in the wood.

 

Following a recent training session by the SLCC it was noted that the purchase of Magpie Wood should be  specified as being purchased under a statutory instrument – this being the Open Spaces Act 1906.

 

OS/21/69             Flackwell Heath Minors Football Club Lease

Members were asked to consider the lease for signature at the next full council meeting following consideration to the size of the play area as below.

 

1  Play equipment

Members were asked to consider the layout and suggested equipment received from a play company.  Members were asked to note that the area shown was 57m² which would need to be removed from the lease.

 

It was RESOLVED that;

The area for the play equipment of 57m² be approved for removal from the lease and the lease be recommended for signature at the next full council.

 

It was noted that the play equipment would be for a slightly older age group up to 11 years.

 

OS/21/70             Derehams Lane Recreation Ground

Members were asked to note the report from the sub group site visit held on Monday 7 February.

 

 

OS/21/071           Committee Site Visit

Members were asked to note the date for the committee site visit – Wednesday 29 June @ 10.30am. 

 

Members were asked to suggest sites for inclusion at the meeting.  Currently the paths over the Back Common in Tylers Green were the only item.  Suggestions received were as follows;

 

• Railway Land, Loudwater
• Ashley Drive, TG and Chapel Road, FH allotments
• Spring Lane, Flackwell Heath
• Back Common, TG – areas where the memorial trees have been suggested.

 

OS/21/072           Committee Finances

Members were asked to note the committee income and expenditure to Period 10 (January).

 

OS/21/073           Questions from committee members and the public

• Cllr Jordan mentioned the Public Right of Way that cuts through from the A40 to Queensmead Road. A resident had contacted him after getting himself stuck on the impassable footpath.
• Cllr Wood advised that Bucks Councillor Nathan Thomas was already dealing with an issue on the footpath.

 

OS/21/074           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 10734 to 10746 be signed and direct debits to EE, E-On Next, Shell Fuelcard, Shorts and SSE be approved for payment.

 

The chairman of the meeting thanked members for their attendance and closed the meeting at 8.38pm

 

 

 

Date and time of next meeting:  Tuesday 24 May @ 7.30pm

 

 

 

 

Signed:                                                 Dated: 28 April 2022