Open Spaces Report 26 Oct 21

CHEPPING WYCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL
OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE
Report of the meeting to be held on Tuesday 26 October 2021 at 7.30pm at the Council Office, Cock Lane, Tylers Green, High Wycombe Bucks HP10 8DS

Present: Cllr L Willis (Chairman) Cllr I Forbes
Cllr L Johncock (Vice-chairman) Cllr C Jordan
Cllr J Gurney Cllr S Digby Cllr L Webb Cllr D Johncock

Also present: Cllr B Kin, Mr & Mrs Walmesley (FH residents), Mrs B Hunt and Mr L White (FHRA)

OS/21//031 Apologies for absence
Apologies were received and approved from Cllr K Wood (medical), Cllr S Herron (medical), Cllr A Barron (family) and Cllr J Herschel (holiday)

OS/21/032 Declarations of members’ interests in Items on the agenda
There were none

The chairman asked that standing orders be suspended and move the order of agenda as follows – this was approved

OS/21/033 5.3 Skate Park
Members were asked to consider the petition received asking for a skate park in Flackwell Heath. A hardcopy of the petition was available at the meeting.

It was RESOLVED that;
Flackwell Heath had no council owned space that could be used for a skate park, however other areas within the parish would be actively considered along with the possibility of working with a neighbouring parish. The clerk to write to the two boys who had instigated the petition and commend them on their enthusiasm and proactive approach.

Mr & Mrs Walmsley were thanked for their efforts to find a suitable location for the skate park and left the meeting at 7.55pm

OS/21/034 Allotments
Members were asked to note that the Chapel Road BBQ and the Ashley Drive Picnic were both a success. The BBQ had been well attended by allotment holders. It was noted that only two councillors were present; Cllr Willis and Cllr Digby.

Members were asked to note that the following vacancies exist at the allotment sites:

Chapel Road – 1 full plot
Ashley Drive – 1 half plot and 6 full plots

There were currently 2 people on the waiting list for Chapel Road for half plots.

1 Ashley Drive
Members were asked to note that the office had received complaints about bonfires at the above site. It would appear from photographic evidence that allotment holders were burning damp vegetation which was creating huge plumes of smoke.

Members were asked to note that signs had been put on the gates and shed to remind allotment holders to be thoughtful. Members were asked to consider further action.

It was RESOLVED that;
letters be written to all Ashley Drive allotment holders reminding them to be careful about how/when and what they were burning.

 
OS/21/035 Tylers Green Common
1. Track 4
Following the last committee meeting when it was agreed that the drainage issues on the track were to be investigated; members were asked to note that a meeting had been held with a contractor on Friday 15 October. Present at that meeting were the clerk, warden and one of the residents.

A quote has been requested for a slightly built-up gulley drain on the section servicing May Cottage and Greenhaven. It is hoped that this will in some way mitigate the water entering the driveways by diverting some of the flow into the scrub area next to the path leading down to New Road.

2 Tylers Green Management Plan – Fire ride
Members were asked to note that the approved work to cut back the overhanging conifers had been completed at a cost of £440.00.

OS/21/036 Playgrounds
1 Ashley Drive Recreation Ground
1.1 Benches
Members were asked to note that the Southampton benches had been ordered.

1.2 Lidded bins
Members were asked to note that the lidded bins had been ordered.

2 Straight Bit Recreation Ground
2.1 Play area fencing
Members were asked to note that the previously approved fencing had been installed and has already been vandalised (chips made in the powder painted surface).

It was noted that it would be advantageous to have a removable panel of fencing to allow access for contractors.

2.2 Security
Members were asked to note that the security company approved at the full council meeting started on Monday 18 October.

Members were asked to note that, as a precaution, HERAS fencing had been erected around the large tower to stop anyone using it; the helter-skelter slide has a large hole burned through the underside.

It was noted that CCTV should still be considered.

2.3 Path
Members were asked to note that the previously approved path leading up to the play area had been completed.

OS/21/037 Orchard Green Hedge Project Update
Members were asked to note that the hedging for the project was underway. The old hedging had been stripped out by a contractor and the new hedging was being planted by the grounds team.

It was noted that there will be no access through the hedge/fencing.

OS/21/038 The Queen’s Green Canopy
Members were asked to note that the trees for the following areas had now been ordered and will be ready for planting in January/February.

• Flackwell Heath – at Jubilee Gardens – Cherry
• Tylers Green – triangle opposite the Village Hall of Church Road – Copper Beech
• Loudwater – Boundary Recreation Ground – Mountain Ash

It was noted that both P&TG WI groups, who have an interest in the replacement memorial tree opposite the Village Hall, will be contacted so that they can be involved with the planting and plaque if they so choose.
Also, all the trees will be pin pointed on the Queen’s Canopy map.
 
OS/21/039 Flackwell Heath Minors Football Club Lease
Members were asked to consider the draft lease. Members were also asked to consider the size of the play area required for inclusion in the lease.

It was RESOLVED that;
there were a few queries following our solicitor’s amendments. The clerk was asked to check these, also to insert the new rental figure based on increases since the last lease.
The clerk to meet with a play equipment provider to obtain quotes and dimensions for the site –
the play equipment to be specifically for small children.

Members were asked to note that a meeting is being arranged with the chairman of the football club.

OS/21/040 Derehams Lane Recreation Ground
Members were asked to consider the redevelopment of the site and the pavilion.

It was RESOLVED that;
the sub group consisting of Cllr Willis, Cllr Gurney, Cllr Wood, Cllr Forbes, Cllr Webb and Cllr Wilks be approved and a site visit and meeting be arranged.

1 Loudwater Bowls Club
Cllr Jordan attended the last meeting of the Bowls Club in September, members were asked to note his report. It was highlighted that the club membership was extremely low and of concern.

OS/21/041 Tree works
Members were asked to note that the following tree work had been completed since the last meeting;

• Straight Bit car park – to raise the canopies of the Lime trees along the frontage of the site at a cost of £1,050.00.
• Railway Land – to remove 2 groups of Ash tree, reduce a Walnut tree and Field Maple and remove a Rowan at a cost of £1,900.00.
• Magpie Wood – to cut back a Lime tree from a property boundary at a cost of £250.00.

OS/21/042 Ashwells Development, Tylers Green
Members were asked to note that the parish council has been approached by a consultancy company working on behalf of Buckinghamshire council to have an initial discussion regarding the future maintenance of the green space once the development is built out.

Members will be kept updated.

OS/21/043 Committee Finances
Members were asked to note the committee income and expenditure to Period 6 (September).
It was highlighted that the income was on target and the expenditure was slightly down on the year.

OS/21/044 Draft Committee Budget 2022/23
Members were asked to consider the draft budget. Members were asked to make
suggestions for the budget lines and asked to note those already received as below:
• Ash die back management in King’s Wood and replanting scheme
• King’s Wood map and path markers
• Derehams pavilion replacement
• Green Dragon Lane Recreation Ground play equipment
• Kingswood Avenue entrance to King’s Wood path maintenance
• Cock Lane car park entrance to King’s Wood resurface
• King’s Wood paths behind Southcote Way and leading down to the cemetery need resurfacing

Items flagged by the warden for Tylers Green Common management plan are covered by an EMR transfer, also the reduction in height of the middle hedge as Ashley Drive Recreation ground and the Chapel Road allotment track are covered within the maintenance areas of the budget or could be included in a project line.

It was RESOLVED that;
the draft committee budget be recommended to the next Finance & General Purposes meeting for approval at full council.

OS/21/045 Questions from committee members and the public
Cllr D Johncock asked about gaining a decision on the zip wire proposal for Straight Bit and highlighted the need for a public consultation.

Mr L White (FHRA) asked whether the vandalism was covered by insurance and advised that the FHRA would be happy to assist with any consultation.

OS/21/046 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 10601 to 10616 be signed BACS payment for Barclays Payflow and direct debits to Barclays, E-ON Next, Shorts Group Ltd and Unicom be approved for payment.

The chairman of committee thanked members for their attendance and closed the meeting at 9.09pm

Date and time of next meeting: TBC

Signed: Dated: 16 December 2021