13-09-18 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 meeting held on Thursday 13 September 2018 commencing at 7.30pm
in the Council Chamber, Cock Lane, Tylers Green, High Wycombe, Bucks HP10 8DS

Present: Cllr L Willis (Chairman) Cllr I Forbes
Cllr J Gurney Cllr S Digby Cllr M Wilkes Cllr K Wood Cllr J Johnson

Also Present: Cllr B Kin, Cllr C Leonard, Cllr J White, Cllr C Dodds and Mr G Christie (CWPC warden)

OS/18/032 Apologies for absence
Apologies had been received and approved from Cllr Johncock (holiday), Cllr Jordan (holiday), Cllr Wilkes (holiday) and Cllr Herschel (holiday)

OS/18/033 Declarations of members’ interests in Items on the agenda
There were none.

Cllr Willis, chairman of the meeting, suspended Standing Orders and with the agreement of the members present changed the order of the meeting as follows.

OS/18/034 3 Railway Land
Members were asked to consider the option of the tree works on the bank to the rear of Bay Tree Close and Woodside Close being undertaken in sections and in consultation with the individual residents.

It was RESOLVED that;
the works to the trees on the bank being undertaken in sections be approved, subject to consultation with the residents. Contributions being obtained for further works being required by the resident in line with parish council policy.

It was noted that Cllr White had some suggestions for the work required to position boundary markers along the site. These included the development of a policy to deal with boundary encroachment current and historic; inspection of the boundary to identify possible encroachment/gated access; possibly getting legal advice before commencing; clearance of the bank should be undertaken first. Cllr White also highlighted that the working party for the site should probably be reformed.

Cllr White thanked members and left the meeting at 7.52pm

OS/18/035 Allotments
Members were asked to note that at the time of agenda writing the following vacancies existed at the allotment sites:

Chapel Road – 2 half plots and 7 full plots
Ashley Drive – 2 full plots

There was no one currently on the waiting list.

1 Chapel Road Allotments
Members were asked to note that the approved rubbish removal had been completed and the allotment holders had expressed their thanks.

Members were also asked to note that the annual BBQ at the site had been another success with approximately 40 attendees over the 4 hours. The lack of councillors present had been noted.

2 Ashley Drive Allotments
Members were asked to note that to date only one quotation had been received for the replacement shed at £5,250.00. Further quotations were being obtained.

Members were also asked to note that the annual picnic went well and was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended.

3 Tenancy Agreement change
Members were asked to consider a change to the current Tenancy Agreement for plot holders to include a clause either with a fine to be imposed if upon surrendering the allotment it was not cleared or a deposit at the beginning of the tenancy to be held until clearance at the end of the tenancy had been undertaken.

It was RESOLVED that;
the Tenancy Agreement be amended to advise that at the point of surrender a site visit with the allotment holder be made and a fine be imposed if clearance has not been completed.

It was noted that this alternation had become necessary due to the high cost of rubbish clearance from the allotment site because plots had not been thoroughly cleared by the outgoing allotment holders. The fine was discussed as an option however the amount had not been set.

4 Allotment Competition Winners
Members were asked to note the winners of the allotment competitions for both sites.

OS/18/036 Magpie Wood
Members were asked to note that a site visit to the wood would be organised in due course.

OS/18/037 King’s Wood
1 Ride widening on northern boundary
Members were asked to note that the above approved works should commence at the end of September/ beginning of October. However, the Clerk advised that since the agenda had been written information from the Forestry Manager indicated that the works would probably start nearer to the end of October.

OS/18/038 Straight Bit – Flackwell Heath Bowls Club
1 Path/track access to the Bowls Club
Members were asked to consider a further request from the Bowls Club to create a disabled access at the gate leading from the car park to the bowls club and make a firm path specifically for the Chestnut club members who have sight loss. Members were reminded that the previous request made in 2015 for a track/path to the Bowls Club had ended in the club advising that the area was firm enough and the partially sighted members were always accompanied.

It was RESOLVED that;
the decision be deferred pending clarification of the request.

It was noted that Cllr Digby would be asking for clarification when she attends the next Flackwell Heath Bowling Club meeting.

2 Defibrillator donation request
Members were asked to note a request via the minutes had been received for a donation towards a defibrillator. Members were asked to note that a grant application form had been sent to the Secretary of the club.

OS/18/039 Playground Updates
1 Updates
Members were asked to receive updates from the Playground Working Parties.

Tylers Green: Members were asked to note that the teacup roundabout had been replaced and safety surfacing was due to be laid on 20 September. Quotes are currently being obtained for the ‘squaring off’ of the play area with a small piece of equipment and safety surfacing prior to fencing being installed.

Flackwell Heath: Members were asked to note that the refurbishment of the climbing frame and replacement of the safety surfacing had been completed.

Members were asked to note that a safety issue with the surfacing under the swings had been completed.

OS/18/040 Tylers Green Common
1 Track 6
Members were asked to note that following the works to the top of track 6 (track opposite the village hall) being approved at the last Council meeting, contributions from the residents were currently being obtained prior to works commencing.

2 Tylers Green Management Plan
Members were asked to note that Cllr Wood and Cllr Johnson completed an inspection of the Common putting forward recommendations for future management, these were passed to the Warden for comment.

Members were now asked to consider the final draft of the Management Plan.

It was RESOLVED that;
the Management Plan be recommended to full Council for adoption.

3 Crosses on the Common Permit
Members were asked to consider the permit for the above event to commemorate the end of the First World War.

Members were asked to note that the public liability insurance was at the recommended level of £5 million.

It was RESOLVED that;
the permit be granted in principle, subject to a detailed schedule of the events, risk assessments and method statements along with installation information of the crosses, beacon and flagpole.

OS/18/041 Committee Site Visits
Members were asked to consider the following items from the committee site visit held on Thursday 26 July.

1 Orchard Green Hedge
Members were asked to note that, following receipt of the feedback from the neighbouring residents, work to the hedge would be undertaken in small sections, infilling where necessary with native hedging material and leaving behind the mature trees. It would also be necessary to contact SSE who will be asked to cut back hedge from the overhead cables.

Members were asked to note that the Working Party consisting of Cllr Willis, Cllr Wilkes and Mr Christie (CWPC warden) had not yet met. However, members were asked to consider the commencement of works initially to the corner (junction of Chapman Lane and Green Dragon Lane) of the hedge.

It was RESOLVED that;
the work to the corner of the hedge be approved.

Members were also asked to note that 8 No Parking signs had been installed as discussed along the verge; positioning of the signs had been agreed with Cllr Wilkes.

2 Green Dragon Lane Recreation Ground
Members were asked to note that playground designs were still awaited for the above and that a further appointment had been made with another supplier.

Members were also asked to note that confirmation from the Football Club had not yet been received for the go ahead.

Members were asked to note that it had been mentioned that the area offered for play equipment was too small.

4 King’s Wood – Thrills & Spills
Members were asked to note that maintenance works would be undertaken on the jumps highlighted at the above site.

OS/18/042 Derehams Lane Recreation Ground
1 Trial Holes
Members were asked to note that an appointment had been made for the trial holes to be dug during the October half term. The holes would give an idea of the depth of the oil filled cables and possibly enable the entrance to be lowered, the alternative would be to move the entrance to the site.

2 Condition of the MUGA
Members were asked to note that the condition of the MUGA surface has deteriorated. Work had been undertaken by a Community Payback team to remove the weeds and grass growing through the surface however this had now left holes in the surface that could pose a safety issue.

It was RESOLVED that;
the current condition of the surfacing be noted and that no action would be taken at this time.

OS/18/043 Orchard Green
Members were asked to consider the report from a resident relating to ‘joy riding’ over Orchard Green.

The Clerk advised that the police had been informed of the incident.

It was RESOLVED that;
the area would be monitored over the winter.

OS/18/044 Committee Finances
Members were asked to note the committee income and expenditure to Period 4 (July).

It was noted that the budget was below the run rate, however there were some large items in the pipeline.

OS/18/045 Questions from committee members and the public
Cllr Wood highlighted the information received from TVP relating to the danger of drones.

OS/18/046 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 9613 to 9619 be signed and direct debits to EE, E-ON, Shell (Fuel Card Services) and SSE be approved for payment.

Date and time of next meeting: Thursday, 8 November 2018 @ 7.30pm

Signed: Dated: 25 October 2018