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CHEPPING WYCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL
OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE
Report of the meeting held on Tuesday 24 May 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 S Digby Cllr H Darch Cllr S Herron
Cllr K Wood (ex officio)
Also present: Cllr A Barron
The meeting started at 7.30pm with Cllr L Johncock acting as Chairman in the absence of Cllr Willis
OS/22/001 Apologies for absence
Apologies had been received and approved from Cllr L Webb (business) and Cllr D Johncock (meeting)
OS/22/002 Declarations of members’ interests in Items on the agenda
There were none.
OS/22/003 Representatives to Sports Organisations
Members were asked to consider appointments of representatives to the following sports organisations;
- Flackwell Heath Bowling Club
- Flackwell Heath Tennis Club
- Loudwater Bowls Club
- Flackwell Heath Minors Football Club
It was RESOLVED that;
the following appointments be approved;
Flackwell Heath Bowling Club and Flackwell Heath Tennis Club – Cllr S Digby
Loudwater Bowls Club – Cllr C Jordan
Flackwell Heath Minors Football Club – Cllr S Herron
OS/22/004 Allotments
Members were asked to note that the following vacancies exist at the allotment sites:
Chapel Road – no vacant plots
Ashley Drive – 1 half plot and 2 full plots
There were currently 9 people on the waiting list for Chapel Road.
Cllr L Johncock queried why more half plots had not been created. The clerk advised that in the past half plots had caused issues when one plot holder left leaving the half plot to go to seed.
Both Cllr L Johncock and Cllr S Digby requested that a longstanding certificate be given to an allotment holder at Chapel Road who was now in her 40th year at the site.
1 BBQ and Picnic Dates
Members were asked to note that the following dates have been set for the above, all are welcome;
- Saturday, 23 July starting at 12 noon in Ashley Drive, Tylers Green
- Saturday, 6 August starting at 11am BBQ in Chapel Road, Flackwell Heath
2 Allotment Competition
Members were asked to note that the allotment competition would be returning this year. The judging will take place between 20 June and 9 July; certificates to be awarded for First place, Second place, Third place and one highly commended for each site and these will be presented at the BBQ and picnic along with the overall winner’s cup.
OS/22/005 Tylers Green Common
1 Track 4
Members were asked to note that the contractor who had quoted for this work was currently extremely busy. The residents have been advised of a requirement for a contribution towards the cost, however, due to the length of time since the original quote was received there would be a need to request a further revision as raw materials are rising in cost almost daily. Members were reminded that the quotation was to create a water divert barrier and French drain in the sum of £3,850.00.
Members were also asked to note that there had been a further request to assist with the reduction in size of the waste lorries currently being used on the track.
Cllr Wood advised that the lorry size had already reduced and felt that any further reduction in size would probably not happen.
Cllr Willis arrived at 7.43pm and took the chairmanship of the meeting. He apologized for his late attendance.
2 Tracks Policy
Following the Informal Meeting at which the Track Policy was discussed, members were asked to consider making revisions to the policy.
It was RESOLVED that;
at item 2 Works to the Tracks – the following changes be made;
‘…… and may well require a 50% contribution from residents’.
‘The Council will facilitate the maintenance of potholes through the positioning of small dumps of suitable material.’
The policy to be taken to full council for approval and adoption.
OS/22/006 Playgrounds
1 Ashley Drive Recreation Ground
1.1 Surfacing requirements
Members were asked to note that the following areas had been highlighted by Cllr Darch as being in need of impovement.
- Entrances to the adventure play area
- Entrances to the fenced play area
- To the front and rear of the stand-alone slide
- Inside adventure play area
Members were asked to note that both play areas (above) have been earmarked for maintenance and slabs will be laid under the gates at the entrances. Quotations to be obtained for wetpour inserts inside the adventure play area and around the stand-alone slide. The clerk was advised to proceed with all these works.
Cllr Wood advised that she was disappointed that the work to these areas had not already been completed. The clerk advised that during the lockdown period contractors were unavailable and they are now all trying to catch up with shortages of raw materials.
2 Straight Bit Recreation Ground
2.1 Security
Members were asked to note that due to the extent of anti-social behaviour at the site the security company had been retained. The situation was being constantly monitored.
Members were asked to note that the perpetrator of the arson attack on the boat had been identified and a Community Resolution Order had been approved by the TVP Youth Disposal Unit.
Members were asked to consider a suggestion to install some type of floodlighting to the area. Members were advised that this would require planning permission and public consultation due to the proximity of housing to the area.
It was noted that Cllr D Johncock had been in contact with the ASB Team who had suggested an environmental visual survey. Feedback from this survey would be awaited.
3 Flackwell Heath Play Equipment sub-group
Members were asked to note that the sub-group would be meeting on 8 June 2022. Green Dragon Lane Recreation Ground play area would be under discussion as well as the equipment at Straight Bit Recreation Ground.
4 Novelty Bins
Members were asked to note that the novelty bins had arrived and would be installed shortly.
5 Field adjacent to Green Dragon Lane Recreation Ground
Members were asked to consider the idea of exploring the possible purchase of the above field for recreation purposes.
It was RESOLVED that;
the clerk continue to contact the land agent to investigate the likelihood and the potential cost of the purchase of the field nearest to the football field.
OS/22/007 The Queen’s Green Canopy
Members were asked to note that, in conjunction with the warden on his return to work, the planned trees for the commons in Tylers Green would be ordered for planting in October/November, along with tree guards.
Cllr Darch highlighted that there would be 16 plaques for the memorial trees for the names on the St Margaret’s church memorial, a 17th person had been identified however they were remembered on the memorial in Beaconsfield and therefore a decision had been made not to include them. Cllr Herron and Cllr Darch would be working on an information board for later installation.
Members were asked to review the cherry tree requirements for Flackwell Heath.
It was noted that the Spring Lane had been suggested as a possible area for the cherry trees and this was part of the site visit.
OS/22/008 Magpie Wood
Members were asked to note that due to the bird nesting season any tidying work had ceased in the wood until around the end of August. Members were asked to note that the spring bulbs planted by Cllr Jordan around the ladderboard had been successful and it was hoped that the bluebells would make a better display next year.
OS/22/009 Derehams Lane Recreation Ground
Members were asked to note that a topographical survey quotation had been received at a cost of £5,250, two further quotations were being obtained.
Members were asked to consider the engagement of a planning consultant to liaise with the planning department at Buckinghamshire Council.
It was RESOLVED that;
The clerk be approved to obtained quotes from planning consultants and proceed with the best quote to assist with the redevelopment of the Derehams site.
OS/22/010 Committee Site Visit
Members were reminded of the date for the committee site visit is Wednesday 29 June @ 10.30am. Areas that will be visited are:
- Railway Land, Loudwater
- Ashley Drive, TG and Chapel Road, FH allotments
- Spring Lane, Flackwell Heath
- Back Common, TG – areas where the memorial trees have been suggested.
OS/22/011 Committee Finances
Members were asked to note the committee outturn at yearend.
Members were also asked to note the committee income and expenditure to Period 1 (April) which was not showing much activity.
OS/22/012 Questions from committee members and the public
- Cllr Darch advised that a request to find the relatives of the names on the memorial was being undertaken.
- Cllr Wood mentioned that the old tree planting photo in the latest newsletter had brought forward someone who knew the people in the picture.
- Cllr Jordan advised that Lot 2 Magpie Wood appeared to be sold.
- Cllr Barron advised that the resident who has been looking after the verge at the junction of Northern Woods and Straight Bit had had his hedge trimmer stolen. Would it be possible to either buy one to replace it or lend him one so he could continue the good work.
The clerk to investigate the options.
- Also, Cllr Barron requested some of the wildflower seed from the Bee Squared project.
Cllr L Johncock advised that they had some at home and would pass them on.
OS/22/013 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 10807 to 10814 be signed, the BACS payment to Barclays Payflow and direct debits to Castle Water, E-On Next, SSE and Unicome be approved for payment.
The chairman thanked member for their attendance and closed the meeting at 8.40pm
Date and time of next meeting: Tuesday 6 September @ 7.30pm