15-01-19 Open Spaces Committee Minutes

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CHEPPING WYCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL
OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE

Report of the meeting held on Tuesday 15 January 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 I Forbes
Cllr L Johncock (Vice-chairman) Cllr C Jordan
Cllr J Gurney Cllr M Wilkes Cllr K Wood Cllr J Johnson Cllr J Herschel

Also present: Cllr R Kin, Cllr C Dodds, 4 residents from Tylers Green, 1 resident from Flackwell Heath

OS/18/061 Apologies for absence
Apologies had been received an approved from Cllr Digby (holiday)

OS/18/062 Declarations of members’ interests in Items on the agenda
There were none.

OS/18/063 Delegated Actions
Members were asked to note that since the last committee meeting in November the following delegated actions had been taken by the chairman of the committee and clerk;

Overhanging trees Woodman’s Cottage, Totteridge Common £660.00
Removal of dead, diseased and broken branches and crown reduction overhanging track
Totteridge Common £660.00

OS/18/064 Allotments
Following a request made at the last committee meeting members were asked to note the income received within this financial year for each allotment site to date was as follows;

Chapel Road £2,589.62
Ashley Drive £1,727.08

Members were asked to note that at the time of agenda writing the following vacancies exist at the allotment sites:

Chapel Road – 9 full plots
Ashley Drive – 5 full plots and 1 half plots

There is no one currently on the waiting list.

1 Chapel Road Allotments
Members were asked to note the points raised from the recent Flackwell Heath Allotment Association AGM, most of which were in hand.

2 Ashley Drive Allotments
Members were asked to note that the replacement shed had been ordered.

Members were asked to consider the addition of a further tap at the site along with the re-positioning of an existing tap.

It was RESOLVED that;
quotations should be obtained for consideration.
 
3 Noticeboards
Members were asked to consider the design of the proposed noticeboards for both allotment sites.

It was RESOLVED that;
a single unit for each site with a double sided noticeboard be approved.

OS/18/065 Magpie Wood
Members were asked to note that a site visit to the wood would be organised to assess the boundary fencing as previously agreed for a Thursday at 11am.

OS/18/066 King’s Wood
1 Ride widening on northern boundary
Members were asked to note that the above approved works were currently underway. The contractor had been troubled with machinery breakdowns, however, would stay on the job until complete – weather permitting.

Members were asked to note that an invoice to Wycombe District Council would be raised for the historic CiL monies allocated to this project in the sum of £8,205.75.

OS/18/067 Tylers Green Common
1 Track 6
Members were asked to note that the approved works to the above track were completed prior to Christmas and all parties are happy with the result.

Compliments on the work were noted from the Penn & Tylers Green Residents Society.

2 Tracks 4
Following the last committee meeting in November the Clerk, Warden, Cllr Johncock and Cllr Forbes met with a couple of the residents on Track 4 to further discuss the improvement to the track surface and drainage.

An estimate for the work had been received. Further quotes to be obtained.

It was noted that the Clerk should write to the residents along Track 4/5 to ask if they would be willing to contribute towards the cost.

All 4 Tylers Green residents left the meeting at 8pm

OS/18/068 Playground Updates
Members were asked to receive update from the Playground Working Parties.

Cllr Wood advised that quotations had been received for an item of play equipment and the squaring off of the pad and these were being reviewed at the moment prior to coming back to committee for approval.

1 RoSPA Play Inspection – Update
Members were asked to note that all the moderate risk items highlighted in the reports have been undertaken.

2 Green Dragon Recreation Ground
Members were asked to consider the quotations for the small play area at the above site.

It was RESOLVED that;
The suppliers be asked to re-quote for only a climbing frame and cradle swing set for the area with an item being DDA compliant, with a view to adding pieces at a later date.

It was noted that no formal confirmation had been received yet from the Flackwell Heath Minors FC for the parish council to proceed with this project. The designs had been sent to the Chairman of the club for his information and comment.

3 Flackwell Heath Bowls Club – Straight Bit
Members were asked to consider a request from the Bowls Club to enlarge the sign on their fence so as to be more visible from the road/car park.

It was RESOLVED that;
The sign could be approved by the Clerk if the sign was to be no larger than the one previously approved by the Leisure Facilities Committee.

It was noted that Cllr Herschel would find the relevant information and send to the Clerk.

OS/18/069 Derehams Lane Recreation Ground
1 Trial Holes
Members were asked to note that a site visit would be arranged to assess the feasibility of moving the entrance higher up the lane thus making entry onto the site easier.

OS/18/070 Widmer Pond
1 Water
Members were asked to note that in response to the concern expressed at the increased water usage at the pond Cllr Forbes had visited the pond in the pouring rain and reported that there was no significant road drainage flow into the pond as originally intended and that the majority of the flow was going past. Following a further visit with the Warden, Clerk and Cllr Forbes it was clear that a blockage exists.

It was RESOLVED that;
the Clerk advise Penn Parish Council of the intended work and ask for a 50% contribution towards the cost of the work and following confirmation from Penn PC to proceed with the clearance of the blockage.

2 Fish netting
Members were asked to note the quote received for the health check and removal of the fish at the site.

The cost of labour and equipment to catch the sample and carry out the health check would be £ 595.00 + vat.
The cost of labour and equipment to facilitate the fish removal would be an additional £ 400.00 + vat

It was RESOLVED that;
the Clerk advise Penn Parish Council of the cost and ask for a 50% contribution and following confirmation from Penn PC to proceed.

OS/18/071 Totteridge Common
Members were asked to consider the option of continuing this earth bund along the 210 metres of the Common, from the cottages to the Dolphin public house, to increase security from travellers.

An estimated of between £8k – £9k for the bund and installation of a gate to allow vehicular access for the grounds team had been received.

It was RESOLVED that;
The work was necessary and therefore further quotations be obtained for approval at full Council on 28 February 2019.

OS/18/072 Orchard Green Hedge
Members were asked to note that the works to the corner of the hedge (Green Dragon Lane/Chapman Lane) were due to start on 21 January with the clearance, followed by the replanting – weather permitting. Residents had been advised of the commencement by Cllr Willis and Cllr Wilkes.

OS/18/072 Budget 2019/20
Members were asked to consider the committee budget with a view to recommend for approval at the next full council meeting on 28 February 2019.

Members were reminded of the following priorities and were asked to consider the use of the £10,000 within the committee budget for projects

• Orchard Green hedge – next section £5k Priority 1
• Path from Track 6 to New Road canopy opening – £5/6k Priority 2
• Work on footpath and fence running along Scout Hut F/H – £3.5k Priority 3
• Magpie Wood boundary fencing – unknown as yet Priority 4
• Rejuvenate the surface of the path with self- binding gravel – £4/5k Priority 5
• Set up Ash Die Back EMR -we have been advised that all our ash trees need to be assessed and taken down before they die – £10k Some money in EMR

It was noted that Cllr Forbes mentioned the inclusion on the project list of a path across the triangle near the village shop. This would be added to the committee site visit in July.

It was RESOLVED that;
The committee budget be recommended for approval at full council and that the priorities would be taken in order and set against the Project line within the budget.

OS/18/073 Committee Finances
Members were asked to note the committee income and expenditure to Period 8.

OS/18/074 Questions from committee members and the public
There were no questions from the public.

Cllr Jordan highlighted an issue in Magpie Wood; the cherry trees appeared to be dying.
Cllr Willis advised that this would be inspected on the site visit.
Cllr Johnson advised that she had noticed tyre tracks on both Front and Back Commons and requested that the bollards removed by the Fun Run were replaced.
The Clerk would arrange for the replacement of the bollards.
Cllr Jordan asked if the Loudwater Bowls Club was still operational as he had not heard anything from them.

OS/18/075 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 9721 to 9740 be signed and the BACS payment to Payflow and direct debits to EE, E-ON, Castle Water, Grenke and Unicom be approved for payment.

The chairman thanked members for the attendance and closed the meeting at 8.50pm

Date and time of next meeting: Thursday, 7 March 2019 @ 7.30pm

Signed: Dated: 28 February 2019