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OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE
Report of the meeting held on Thursday 13 January 2022 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 L Webb Cllr D Johncock
Also present: Cllr B Kin, Cllr H Darch, Mr L White (FHRA) and Mr P Miler (TG Resident)
OS/21/047 Apologies for absence
Apologies were received and approved from Cllr K Wood (medical), Cllr S Herron (Ill) and Cllr S Digby (holiday)
OS/21/048 Declarations of members’ interests in Items on the agenda
None were received.
OS/21/049 Allotments
Members were asked to note that at the time of the meeting the following vacancies existed at the allotment sites:
Chapel Road – no vacant plots
Ashley Drive – 1 half plot and 7 full plots
There are currently 8 people on the waiting list for Chapel Road and one person on the waiting list for Ashley Drive wanting a half plot.
OS/21/050 Tylers Green Common
1. Track 4
A meeting with a contractor had been held on 15 October to discuss the drainage issues on the track specifically relating to Greenhaven. At the meeting the contractor highlighted that the current property had been lowered from the original building’s level to allow for the first floor which made the gradient down to the property steeper, it was also mentioned that the gulley drain in front of the property was too shallow.
A quote had been received for a slightly built-up gulley drain on the track section servicing May Cottage and Greenhaven and a soakaway. The quote for the works was in the sum of £6,550.00.
Members were asked to consider the quote.
It was RESOLVED that;
contact should be made with the contractor to obtain a further quote for just a raised ‘sleeping policemen’ at the top of the drive entrance to Greenhaven and May Cottage as it was felt that this would re-direct any water from the properties and negate the need for a soakaway and drainage channel both of which would need ongoing maintenance.
Mr Miller left the meeting at 7.45pm
OS/21/051 Playgrounds
1 Ashley Drive Recreation Ground
1.1 Benches
Members were asked to note that the Southampton benches had arrived and would be installed within the next couple of weeks.
1.2 Lidded bins
Members were asked to note that the lidded bins had been installed at the site by the grounds team.
2 Straight Bit Recreation Ground
2.1 Security
Members were asked to consider whether to continue with the security company who currently patrol both Straight Bit and Green Dragon Lane.
Members were asked to note that there had been no further damage recorded at the sites however the HERAS fencing that is erected around the large tower has been regularly taken down.
It was RESOLVED that;
that the security company be asked to continue for another 2 months.
2.2 Replacement of play equipment
Members were asked to note that the items required for the large tower had now been agreed by the insurance company and had been ordered just before Christmas. These items are coming from France with a lead time of approximately 8 weeks.
5.2.3 Picnic Bench
Members were asked to note that the picnic bench in memory of Carolyn Leonard will be ordered soon once the depot had been cleared of outstanding items for installation.
5.2.4 Extra toddler play equipment
Members were asked to note that a letter had been received from a Flackwell Heath resident at asking for more equipment for toddlers on the site. Members were asked to consider the contents of the request.
It was RESOLVED that;
the Flackwell Heath Play Area Working Party be restarted to consider the inclusion of the zip wire and the resident concerned about toddler equipment to be invited to one of the meetings.
5.3 Skate Park
Members were asked to note that a joint working group had been set up with Wooburn & Bourne End Parish Council to look at the feasibility and location of a possible skate park. Our members of the working group are Cllr D Johncock, Cllr L Webb and Cllr A Barron.
Cllr D Johncock advised that the initial meeting had been positive with 4 sites for a skate park for further investigation.
OS/21/052 Orchard Green Hedge Project Update
Members were asked to note that this project was now completed.
OS/21/053 The Queen’s Green Canopy
Members were asked to consider the purchase of the following trees for Tylers Green as suggested by Cllr Darch to plant memorial trees around the commons in memory of those from the village who gave their lives in the 1939-45 war, these could also form part of the above project;
• 1 beside the bench on the front common outside Miles Green’s house to match the one already there on the road side
• or 7 (as space permits) alongside the road in front of the first school (in time to match those along Elm Road)
• or 6 (the balance of 16) along the track down from the Village Hall to the back of the doctor’s surgery; some in place of the current unsightly bramble bushes.
Members were also asked to consider the inclusion of 5 cherry trees to be sited at the entry signs to the village in Flackwell Heath.
It was noted that the Penn Tylers Green Resident’s Society and the British Legion would probably like to be involved in this project. The Warden would be asked to comment on the types of trees for Tylers Green Common.
It was RESOLVED that;
the Clerk will contact Cllr Herron to advise of the committee’s decision and then wait for the response from the Resident’s Society and British Legion. The project was approved and planting in Tylers Green and Flackwell Heath would take place in October/November.
Cllr Darch left the meeting at 8.15pm
OS/21/054 Magpie Wood
Members were asked to consider the request made by Cllr Jordan for laminated signs to be displayed in the wood relating to dog waste.
It was RESOLVED that;
the laminated signs be approved and displayed in the wood.
OS/21/055 Flackwell Heath Minors Football Club Lease
Members were asked to note the revised lease. The lease now contains a clause for Juniper Hill School’s use of the car park.
Members were asked to note that the meeting with the football club had been extremely productive.
1 Play equipment
Members were asked to note that the Chairman of committee and the clerk met with a Wicksteed play representative on 2 December 2021. The information received was not site specific and therefore confusing, however, did give a potential cost in the region of £32k, however a more detailed design and quote have been requested.
OS/21/056 Derehams Lane Recreation Ground
Members were asked to note the report from the sub group site visit held on Saturday 4 December.
Members were asked to note that an initial request had been made to the Rolalong Company to visit the site with a view to quoting for a replacement pavilion and changing/shower block.
OS/21/057 Ashwells Development, Tylers Green
Members were asked to note that an initial meeting with James Galitzine, from Grafton Partners, who is working with Buckinghamshire Council on the above development had taken place. The meeting was an initial discussion regarding the future maintenance of the green space once the development is built out. This would include the main grass land is 2.1 Hectares/ 5.3 Acres and the Chalk pit is 0.2 Hectares/ 0.5 Acres. Further information will follow once a developer has been chosen for the site, along with any monetary package for the maintenance.
OS/21/058 Committee Finances
Members were asked to note the committee income and expenditure to Period 9 (December).
OS/21/059 Questions from committee members and the public
• Cllr Forbes highlighted the paths across the Back Common and asked that they be visited on the committee site visit
• Mr L White (FHRA) advised that they had been able to get sponsorship for Jubilee Gardens.
The FHRA have started a grants scheme and were offering contributions to the Community Speedwatch team in Flackwell Heath and also the Flackwell Heath Minors Football Club for a defibrillator
OS/21/060 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 10680 to 10688 be signed and direct debits to EE, E-ON Next, Shell Fuelcard, Shorts Group Ltd and SSE be approved for payment.
Also noted were cheques numbered 1670 to 10679 and BACS payment to Barclays Payflow, direct debits to Barclays, Castle Water and Unicom.
The chairman thanked members for their attendance and closed the meeting at 8.40pm
Date and time of next meeting: Thursday 10 March 2022 @ 7.30pm
Signed: Dated: 24 February 2022