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CHEPPING WYCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL
OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE
Members of the council are summoned to attend the meeting to be held on Tuesday 5 September 2023 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 Webb (Vice-chairman) Cllr S Herron
Cllr J Gurney Cllr S Digby Cllr K Wood (ex officio) Cllr H Darch
Also present: Two representatives from Flackwell Heath Bowls Club
OS/23/015 Apologies for absence
Apologies for absence were received and approved from Cllr Jordan (holiday), Cllr D Johncock (holiday) and Cllr L Johncock (holiday)
OS/23/016 Declarations of members’ interests in Items on the agenda
There were none reported.
At this point the chairman welcomed the representatives from Flackwell Heath Bowls Club, suspended standing orders with the approval of the committee and gave them the opportunity to speak.
OS/23/017 Flackwell Heath Bowls Club – there is an issue with parking, the path leading to the club and lighting. The car park appears to be constantly full which makes match days extremely difficult. A proposed plan for an extended car park was shown. The path has been reported as uneven and the lack of lighting poses an issue when the club is open in the evening for skittles or whist.
The committee decided that a visit to the site would be beneficial – arrangements would be made by the clerk communicating with the chairman of the club. Cllr Webb thanked the club for attending and all they were doing to raise the profile of the club.
The committee were thanked for their time and the representatives left at 7.45pm
OS/23/018 Allotments
Members were asked to note that the allotment renewals had been sent out for the new agreement year.
Members were asked to note that the allotment competition had been judged by Cllr Wilks and Cllr Wood, who were thanked. Certificates were handed out at the BBQ and picnic.
OS/23/019 Playgrounds
1 Ashley Drive Recreation Ground, Tylers Green
1.1 Replacement Basket Swing
Members were asked to note that the replacement basket swing had been installed.
Cllr Darch asked about the concrete pads at the gate entrances – these had been completed.
2 Straight Bit Recreation Ground, Flackwell Heath
2.1 Replacement Boat
Members were asked to note that the start date for installation is Monday 11 September. The delay had been due to the non-availability of installation contractors.
2.2 Telecommunications mast
Members were asked to note that a non-intrusive survey undertaken by drone had already been completed and that a further survey would be taking place on Wednesday 20 September 2023. This will entail trial bore holes.
2.3 Swing Repair
Members were asked to note that the double bay swing at the site was due to be repaired in early September. Since the meeting this has been completed.
3 Boundary Road Recreation Ground, Loudwater
Members were asked to note that a further meeting with the Chairman of Council, Chairman of committee and the clerk had taken place with the resident who highlighted an issue relating to the riverbank at the site. This item to be covered later in the agenda.
3.1 Tootin Train
Members were asked to note that the toddler equipment (Springy) had been installed at the site by Jon and Darren.
3.2 Memorial Bench Request
Members were asked to consider a request for an additional bench at the site.
It was RESOLVED that;
The bench be approved in principle but in a different place on the site.
OS/23/020 Treeworks
Members were asked to consider one of the quotations below for tree works.
Track 6, Tylers Green (opposite the village hall)
Reduction of the lime trees along the track and removal of an overhanging ash branch.
It was RESOLVED that;
Quote B in the sum of £3,000.00 be ordered and approved.
King’s Wood
Boundary trees – fell 6 and tidy 2
Rushbrooke Close – fell Ash tree to the side of a property and remove Willow limb overhanging the garden.
It was RESOLVED that;
Quote B in the sum of £4,525.00 be ordered and approved.
OS/23/021 Oakland Way, Flackwell Heath
Following a request made by a resident of Oakland Way to plant additional trees on the verge at the junction with Heath End Road to stop people parking. An inspection of the site was made and due to the presence of a manhole and cabling it was felt more prudent to install bollards rather than trees that could cause issues long term with their root systems.
Members were asked to consider an approach to Buckinghamshire Council to install bollards on the verge to dissuade parking.
It was RESOLVED that;
The clerk be asked to contact, in the first instance, the local area technician to gain the relevant permission.
Members were also asked to note that a request had been made to remove the bench on the verge on the other side of the road.
OS/23/022 Committee Site Visits
Members attended the committee site visit on Tuesday 11 July. Areas visited were:
Boundary Road Recreation Ground, Loudwater
Following concerns raised by a resident about the bank the members visited the site to review the situation.
Members were now asked to consider the introduction of a planting scheme, to include bramble and other such spiky plants, in front of the inlet pipe to dissuade people from approaching the edge.
It was RESOLVED that;
a planting scheme to introduce more brambles and spiky plants be approved.
Magpie Wood, Loudwater
Cllr Jordan had highlighted an issue with the post and wire boundary fence running down the Chiltern Way path. On inspection the wire had been cut in several places.
Since the site visit Darren and Jon completed a full-length repair of the wire.
Front & Back Common, Tylers Green
Following the inspection of the memorial trees, Darren and Jon attended the site and removed the dead tree on the back common which will be replaced in the Autumn and have re-staked the trees.
Members were asked to consider the installation of a post and chain fence to continue from the memorial trees on the Back Common to stop people from parking on the grass.
It was RESOLVED that;
Following the recent incursion on the Back Common another approach would be necessary. The clerk was asked to investigate and prepare a planning application for the creation of a bund.
Cllr Wood complimented the team – all issues that had been raised on the site visit in July had been resolved.
OS/23/023 Skate Park Update
Members were asked to note that the public consultation was underway with a good response rate. Cllr Webb did highlight that there had been some strong opposition from the Woodburn Town residents.
OS/23/024 Derehams Lane Recreation Ground
Members were asked to note that a meeting with the architect was held on 20 June. Revised drawings had been created showing changes, these are not written in stone and are still for further consideration and discussion before going to pre-planning.
A further meeting of the sub group prior to talking to the architect will be arranged.
1 Loudwater Bowls Club
Members were asked to note the report from Cllr Jordan following the last meeting of the Bowls Club.
The Bowls Club had highlighted issues with drainage ditches – these will be cut back in the Autumn when the wildflowers have died back.
OS/23/025 Committee Finances
Members were asked to note the committee income and expenditure to Period 4 (July).
OS/23/026 Questions from committee members and the public
Cllr Gurney advised that there would be a meeting of the ‘Save the Derehams Inn’ on Thursday 14 September at the Rugby Club. The group have formalised themselves and have a full committee. Their next step will be raising funds to purchase the building.
Cllr Herron asked if there had been any further movement of the car park and Green Dragon Lane.
The clerk advised that a request for a further £5k had been made but paperwork was required to back this request.
Cllr Webb advised that the History Group had replaced the Flackwell Heath ‘now and then’ maps with new prints on Foamex board.
Cllr Forbes thanked Cllr Wood and the staff for dealing with the traveller incursion.
Cllr Willis highlighted the state of the Red Kite site on the junction of Branch Road with Norwood Road. The area is completely overgrown and there is a stolen car dumped on the land.
Cllr Wood advised that she would follow this up again.
OS/23/026 Accounts for payment
Accounts for payment were circulated at the meeting for consideration by councillors.
It was RESOLVED that;
The payments made during the summer break be noted.
the accounts for payment be approved and cheques numbered 11156 to 11163 be signed and that direct debits to EE, E-on Next, NEST and Shell (Fuel Card) be approved for payment.
The chairman thanked members for their attendance and closed the meeting at 8.44pm
Date and time of next meeting: Tuesday, 2 November 2023 @ 7.30pm