Meeting Minutes
2010-03-04 : Open Spaces
Present – Cllr Janet Harper, Cllr Brian Smith, Cllr Desmond Quigley, Cllr John Hatton, Cllr Giles Heath and the Clerk
In attendance – Cllr Isobel Darby, Mike Smith (Haywarden)
65p. Apologies – Cllr Bacon
66p. Declaration of interests - none
67p. To approve the Minutes of Meeting on 4th February 2010
Subject to two minor amendments, Minutes approved as a true record, and signed
68p. To review action points from last Minutes
a) Highway sign replacements
Clerk reported that the request had been sent on to Chrs Schwier at Transport for Bucks and had been acknowledged.
b) Cemetery regulations
1 Clerk gave JH a copy of the newly circulated SLCC recommended burial charges.
2 MS suggested it would be a good idea to display a list of what was and wasn’t allowed to be displayed on the graves. JH said we should allow certain things as he thought the grieving process was different for everyone.
3 JFH suggested a meeting with monumental mason at Garden of Rest– revised date 1st April, 7.00pm, Clerk to arrange.
4 It was agreed to order a bench (made of recycled plastic, with arms, set in concretes, same as most recent purchase) to be erected as a memorial to Jim Fleming. Haywardens to choose a position for siting. Clerk to order a plaque to say ‘In memory of Jim Fleming, CsP Haywarden, then dates of his service to the community, and CsP logo. Clerk to provide mock-up for approval before ordering. April 1st is the anniversary of his death and was thought to be very appropriate to have this in place by then.
c) Love's Delight bollard
This has now been done.
d) ‘Bus’ shelter, quote for repair to roof
Clerk had not received further quotes even though contractors had been contacted. Clerk to obtain further quotes.
e) Garden of rest – quotation for repairs to roof of brick building
Same as item d) both – action clerk
f) Best Kept Village strategy
Committee approved expenditure of approximately £120 for 21 yellow gorse and broom shrubs to be planted on Gold Hill. GH and MS will sketch a planting plan and GH will carry out the work. Action – GH and MS
Clerk to write to landlords of precinct to complain about the poor condition of the footways and parking area. action – Clerk
JH suggested all committee members walk round village and take photographs of areas identified as being in a poor state. Action - JH
g) Hire of brushcutter
This had been used on Gold Hill, Austenwood and other areas. MS to submit a summary of the work done, including expenses, man hours and specific tasks completed. It was suggested that it would not be necessary to hire this equipment annually. The Committee recommended that the Council consider purchasing the trailer (£1700 + VAT) from the hire company and have caged sides fitted. Two additional quotes for comparison will be sought. Action –clerk
h) Removal of telephone box by Waggon & Horses
Clerk will contact BT again to complain about the conditon of this booth.
Action –clerk
i) Litter bins/grit bins
Deferred to April, as JH requested more prices. Action – clerk
j) Responsibilities of BCC and CDC for litter problems and condition of pavements
Still waiting for details from Verdant. Deferred to April meeting. Action –clerk
k) Application for playground grant
Due to the deadline extension, Committee members will pursue possible matched funding and consultatioin wth youth in the community to strengthen our application. Action JFH and Committee members
l) Purchase of spare parts
Confirmed that MS can stock some necessary spares, i.e. belts, but as Browns have four depots and are able to fill orders within one day it was agreed that it was unnecessary to keep a large stock of parts. This issue is being dealt with in committee due to the request for funds exceeded £500.
m) Memorial infringement
Clerk had written to the memorial masons. Need to chase. Action Clerk
n) Dog Bins
CDC had been contacted by a resident, they had been to investigate and in their opinion considered it necessary to have a dog bin as indicated. Clerk to obtain a map showing location of dog bins in the village. JFH will get survey results regarding requests for dog bins. Action – clerk and JFH
o) Allotments
Committee agreed to set up a meeting with allotment holders at the council offices. DQ and JFH will work on this and inform councillors of the proposed date before the next OS meeting. Action – DQ and JFH
p) Mill Meadow Gate
The new lock ahd been stolen and some allotment holders from Hill House are asking
for the £5 deposit they paid on their keys to the old padlock he reimbursed. Committee recommended that a new lock be purchased. This to be welded to chain and then to the gate and that any allotment holder requesting a refund be offered £5 off next year’s rent, or, failing that, a refund. Action – Haywardens
q) Pond Cottage bollards
A request had been received from a resident for bollards to be erected on the commons in this area to prevent vehicles from parking on or driving over the grass. Committee to consider this request after next site visit to Gold Hill. Action - clerk
r) Graffiti in Village
The graffiti had been removed. Haywardens now had a stock of graffiti remover
s) Mill Meadow
JH raised the point that what happens on the Holy Cross site will impact the Mill Meadow site. He asked the Committee to consider the plans presented some years
previously for redeveloping Mill Meadow. JH to circulate the plan for discussion at the next meeting
60P. Two members of the Residents Association of The Firs raised the issue of the apparent threat by erosion in the Dell, on Austenwood Common. They said they were disappointed with the Council’s conclusion (as recorded in correspondence with the estate representatives) that our legal advisors said we are not legally responsible for any natural erosion. The Council had erected a post and wire barrier to prevent damage from pedestrians as a gesture of good will. The representatives said there had been no further erosion since the meeting with CstP PC in 2008, but that they were concerned about what would happen in the future. Committee said that the correspondence would be reviewed and arrange a site visit to the Dell in the Spring.
Date of next meeting Thursday, 1st April, 2010.
Meeting closed- at 9.40 pm
