08-06-21 Open Spaces Committee Minutes

CHEPPING WYCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL

Report of the Open Spaces committee meeting to be held on Tuesday 8 June 2021 at 7.30pm at the
Council Offices, Cock Lane, Tylers Green, High Wycombe Bucks HP10 8DS

Due to social distancing requirements only committee members were expected to attend in person. Any non-committee members, members of the public or press wishing to attend the meeting did so via TEAMS

Present: Cllr L Willis (Chairman) Cllr S Herron
Cllr L Johncock (Vice-chairman) Cllr C Jordan
Cllr J Gurney Cllr K Wood Cllr L Webb Cllr D Johncock

Also present via TEAMS: Cllr A Barron, Cllr B Kin, 2 FHRA representatives, Mr G Christie (CWPC) and Cllr I Forbes

OS/21/001 Apologies for absence
Cllr Sue Digby (holiday) and Cllr Ian Forbes (self-isolating COVID)

OS/21/002 Declarations of members’ interests in Items on the agenda
There were none.

OS/21/003 Election of Committee Chairman and Vice Chairman
Members were asked to nominate a chairman for the committee. Nominations were taken at the meeting.

Cllr L Willis was nominated by and seconded by
His nomination was not contested.

It was RESOLVED that;
Cllr L Willis be elected as chairman of the committee.

Members were also asked to nominate a vice chairman for the committee. Nominations were taken at the meeting.

Cllr I Forbes was nominated by Cllr S Herron and seconded by Cllr K Wood
Cllr L Johncock was nominated by Cllr D Johncock and seconded by Cllr

It was RESOLVED that;
Cllr L Johncock be elected as vice-chairman of the committee

Recorded vote: 5 to 3

OS/21/004 Allotments
Members were asked to note that there are two full vacant plots at Ashley Drive. In total there are currently 10 people on the waiting list as follows;
Ashley Drive 3 (all wanting half plots) and Chapel Road 7.

OS/21/005 Tylers Green Common
1. Track 4
Members were asked to note that no further movement had been made on the revised quotation for the small section of track from Rays Lane to the front garden of Homeleigh. However, another contractor with road/track construction experience had been asked to quote for the re-surfacing, taking into consideration drainage issues and levels. A quote had not been forthcoming as when at the site visit he felt that the surface was good and any digging would only create a further problem.

Following receipt of an email from a resident on Track 4, members were asked to consider the contents in order that a formal response can be written.

It was RESOLVED that;
Cllr Forbes and the clerk with the assistance of Cllr Wood would draft a response.

It was noted that the warden would contact a contractor with experience of underground electricity cabling so that the no through road sign could be installed safely.

2. Remedial and repair work to Widmer Pond edge and path
Members were asked to consider the quotations received for the work required to the pond edge and path.

It was RESOLVED that;
Quote A be approved in the sum of £920.00 and the works ordered

OS/21/006 Playgrounds
1. Ashley Drive Recreation Ground
1.1 Fencing
Members were asked to note that the play area fencing had been installed.

It was noted that signs had been purchased; ‘Children’s play area. Dogs not allowed’. These would be installed as soon as practicable. Signs had also been purchased for Flackwell Heath and Loudwater.

1.2 Surfacing repairs
Members were asked to note that repairs to the surfacing at the above play area were required to comply with health and safety standards, quotations had been requested from more companies, however we have only been in receipt of one. The quote includes removal and re-instatement of grass matting to the cable way. Repair and replacement of the surfacing around the trampoline and the replacement of the surfacing over the tunnel.

It was RESOLVED that;
The quote in the sum of £4,773.50 be approved as a single tender action due to a lack of response from the other companies approached.

2 Straight Bit Recreation Ground
2.1 Play area fencing
Members were asked to note that the previously approved fencing had been ordered and will be installed in early July, hopefully prior to the school Summer holidays.

2.2 Path Repair
Members were asked to consider the quotations for the relaying of the path leading to the play area. It is intended that the path is widened to allow for disabled access.

It was RESOLVED that;
Quote C in the sum of £4,950.00 be approved and the works ordered.

2.3 Memorial Bench C Leonard
Members were asked to consider a request for a memorial bench for Carolyn Leonard who had served on the parish council. Suggestions for the bench’s position have been supplied by the Flackwell Heath Residents Association.

It was RESOLVED that;
Location one be the best option behind the swings to the rear of the play area.

It was noted that the bench would be in the style of a picnic bench in metal.

3 Boundary Road Recreation Ground
3.1 Tree work
Members were asked to consider the quotations received for the reduction in height by 50% of the line of conifers, thinning of a hornbeam, re-pollarding of 2 willows and raising a hawthorn on the bank.

It was RESOLVED that;
Quote B in the sum of £2,600.00 be approved and the works ordered.

OS/21/007 Orchard Green Hedge Project Update
Members were asked to note that the hedging for the project was on target for a start date in October.

OS/21/008 The Queen’s Green Canopy
The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) is a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 which invites people from across the United Kingdom to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee.”

Everyone from individuals to Scout and Girlguiding groups, villages, cities, counties, schools and corporates will be encouraged to play their part to enhance our environment by planting trees from October, when the tree planting season begins, through to the end of the Jubilee year in 2022.

Members were asked to consider being included in this project and were asked to note that it would be a self-funded project.

It was RESOLVED that;
The parish council would like to be involved in the project and would bring forward suggestions for areas to be planted.

Areas suggested at the meeting – King’s Wood along the bridleway leading from Cock Lane/Sheepridge Lane junction near the Veterinary Clinic.

OS/21/009 Derehams Lane Recreation Ground
Members were asked to consider the quotations for the replacement of the steps at the site.

Top car park down to football pitch (Orange)
Removal of old sleepers, replace with new oak sleepers forming stringer to side, fill treads with scalping dust and compact.

It was RESOLVED that;
Quote A in the sum of £5,200.00 be approved and the works ordered.

Existing pavilion down to MUGA (Yellow)
Remove damaged steps and replace as above.

It was RESOLVED that;
Quote A in the sum of £1,100.00 be approved and the works ordered.

OS/21/010 Committee Site Visits
Members were asked to consider a date for the site visit which will take place during office hours. Members were also asked to consider for inclusion on the site visit the following, however members are encouraged to suggest other sites:

• Tylers Green Common as a whole (front and back)
• Railway Land, Loudwater

It was RESOLVED that;
The above sites be approved for the site visit with the addition of Magpie Wood and the trees in Rayners Close. Suggested dates to be sent to committee members.

OS/21/011 Committee Finances
1. Yearend Outturn 2020/21
Members were asked to note the yearend position for the committee (2020/21)

2. Current position 2021/22
Members were asked to note the committee income and expenditure to Period 2 (May).

OS/21/012 Questions from committee members and the public
 FHRA chairman asked for permission to remove a large conifer at Jubliee gardens in Flackwell Heath. The tree is oversized for the area and encroaches on the Christmas tree.
 Permission was given for the removal
 FHRA chairman asked if there was any mileage in asking for more dog bins.
 The clerk advised that the parish council had recently lost their dog waste contractor and were in the throes of finding another, therefore more bins would only exacerbate the problem at the moment.
 Cllr Herron asked what was happening about replacing the dog waste contractor.
 The clerk advised that only one quote had been obtained at the moment and efforts were still being made to find alternative contractors.
 Cllr Jordan advised that the wire fencing on the northern boundary was still cut.
 The warden advised that this would be rectified on his return from leave.
 Cllr Jordan also asked if there had been any progress on finding the owners of the trees in Rayners Close.
 The clerk advised that she had contact A Sherwood, Buckinghamshire Council but had not received a reply. The warden advised that J Shaw (Chiltern Rangers) had been involved with the trees some years ago and would probably be the best person to speak to.

OS/21/013 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 10499 to 10505 be noted and cheques 10504 to 10514 be signed and that the BACS payment to Payflow and direct debits to Barclays, E-ON and EE be approved for payment.

The chairman thanked members for their attendance and closed the meeting at 8.49pm

Date and time of next meeting: Tuesday, 31 August 2021 @ 7.30pm

Signed: Dated: 8 July 2021