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CHEPPING WYCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL
OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE
Report of the meeting to be held on Tuesday 7 March 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 Johncock (Vice-chairman) Cllr C Jordan
Cllr H Darch Cllr S Herron Cllr D Johncock
Also present: Cllr A Barron, Mr R King (Loudwater Bowls Club), Mr L White (FHRA)
AGENDA
OS/22/050 Apologies for absence
Apologies were received and approved from Cllr S Digby (holiday), Cllr K Wood (meeting), Cllr L Webb (meeting) and Cllr J Gurney (Ill)
OS/22/051 Declarations of members’ interests in Items on the agenda
Cllr Darch declared an interest in agenda item 13 – being in receipt of cheque number 11039 for
expenses.
OS/22/052 Allotments
Members were asked to note that there are no vacancies at either site.
There are currently 6 people on the waiting list for Ashley Drive and 10 on the waiting list for Chapel Road.
OS/22/053 Playgrounds
1 Ashley Drive Recreation Ground, Tylers Green
1.1 Surfacing requirements
Members were asked to note that the grounds team had not as yet been able to undertake the work to the entrances of the play areas. However, this work was scheduled for mid-March. The works to consist of a cast concrete pad.
Members were asked to note that the site visit took place with another supplier of surfacing on the 17 January, however the quotation received was incorrect and in the sum of £50k. The clerk and grounds team to attend the site and investigate alternatives.
1.2 Middle hedge
Members were asked to note that work had started on the middle hedge at the above site, this was now on hold due to bird nesting season. Where the hedge has been completely removed a new post and rail fence will be erected. Planting of a new hedge to infill the cleared areas will take place in the autumn.
2 Straight Bit Recreation Ground, Flackwell Heath
2.1 Flackwell Heath Play Equipment sub-group
Members were asked to note the report from the meeting.
2.2 Quotations for replacement boat
Following on from the previous item, members were asked to consider the quotations received from an alternative supplier for a replacement boat.
It was RESOLVED that;
In principle, the committee supported the proposals from the sub-group, however as information from the insurance company was still awaited this item would be taken to full council for further consideration when the confirmation of an offer of cover could have been received.
Mr White advised that the FHRA were in full support for the replacement equipment and highlighted the missing swings as a priority for replacement.
2.3 Legal Proceedings – telecommunications mast
Members were asked to note that legal proceedings had been served on the parish council for the refusal of a mast at Straight Bit Recreation Ground. The papers had been sent to our solicitor who advised that more specialist advice needed to be obtained, this is now in hand. The date for return is 31 March 2023.
3 Boundary Road Recreation Ground, Loudwater
Members were asked to note that a concern had been raised by a resident following an incident at the site when a small child slipped into the stream at the point where the bank had eroded. The chairman of the committee met with the concerned resident and advised that the area was not under parish council jurisdiction. In the meantime, the issue was escalated to Steve Baker MP whose office contacted ourselves and Buckinghamshire Council. Buckinghamshire Council have taken responsibility for the area.
Members were asked to consider the erection of a post and rail fence along the path to act as an obstacle; an opening at each end would give two points of focus for parents/guardians to watch. Members were asked to note that the grounds team would undertake the work.
It was RESOLVED that;
The concerned had been noted by the committee however a post a rail fence would not be approved as the play area was a distance from the stream.
It was noted that this site would be part of the committee site visit in June/July – date to be confirmed
OS/22/054 Treeworks
Members were asked to note that the approved works at Magpie Wood and the Railway Land had been completed.
At the time of the agenda distribution a date was awaited for the approved works at The Rise.
OS/22/055 Paths
Members were asked to note that work to the path leading from New Road up to the Back Common and the entrance to King’s Wood from Kingswood Avenue would be undertaken in mid-March.
OS/22/056 Magpie Wood Diary – October 2022 to February 2023
Members were asked to note the diary produced by Cllr Jordan. Cllr Jordan highlighted the fence on the north side of the wood running down the Chiltern Way footpath – this has been cut and there appears to be some clearance work taking place in the trees behind Little Magpie.
It was noted that this site would be part of the committee site visit in June/July – date to be confirmed
A vote of thanks was given to Cllr Jordan and Mr Turnock for all the work they had put in to the wood.
OS/22/057 Flackwell Heath Golf Club – brown signs
Members were asked to consider the brown tourist signs for Flackwell Heath Golf Club. The application had been made to Buckinghamshire Council with the 3 signs previously approved by the committee. However, Buckinghamshire Council believe that more signs are required.
It was RESOLVED that;
Buckinghamshire Council will be contacted and advised that no support would be given for the increased number of signs, however highway signage falls under their jurisdiction and expertise and the parish council would leave the final decision to them.
Mr King left the meeting at 8.15pm and thanked the parish council for the grant for the Loudwater Bowls Club
OS/22/058 Skate Park Update
Members were asked to receive a verbal update on the joint Skate Park project.
Cllr D Johncock advised that there had not been much activity, however there was a meeting scheduled for Wednesday 22 March. There will be a presentation to both parish councils which is currently being put together. Cllr D Johncock will update further after the meeting.
OS/22/059 Derehams Lane Recreation Ground
Members were asked to note that a meeting with the architect would be arranged when the office re-opens.
OS/22/060 Committee Finances
Members were asked to note the committee income and expenditure to Period 10 (January) .
Cllr Darch asked about the permit income under 106 1002 – this had been income from a Fair.
Cllr D Johncock highlighted the lack of expenditure under 102 4037 – a payment was currently being made against this line.
OS/22/061 Questions from committee members and the public
There were no questions from the remaining member of the public.
Cllr Jordan mentioned that when the Environment Agency had cleared the stream at Boundary Road Recreation Ground they had left a lot of rubbish on the bank side. Mr Turnock had offered to clear this if the parish council would supply the bin bags and collection.
The clerk asked for Cllr Jordan to check that rubbish was still at the site.
OS/22/062 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 11030 to 11039 be signed and that the BACS payment to Barclays Paylow and direct debits to Barclays, EE, E-ON Next, Shell Fuelcard and Shorts be approved for payment.
The chairman of committee thanked members for their attendance and closed the meeting at 8.23pm
Date and time of next meeting: Tuesday, 23 May 2023 @ 7.30pm