COOKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the

MEETING OF THE ADOPTIVE ACTS COMMITTEE

PRESENT:       Cllrs: P. Brockwell (Chairman); Cllrs M.Coker, G. Harris, M Innes and

M. Wellman.

1.      APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

Apologies were received from Cllr A. Prichard and H.J. Woodbridge. There were no declarations of interest.

2.  CEMETERY:

a)                  Progress report on specification for path edging and path surfaces– The Chairman wished to put the path surface on hold for the time being until funds were imminent that would enable the Parish Council to afford such a large project. It was AGREED that the Committee would look to completing the path edging during the next financial year as a major capital project – this was expected to cost approx. £5,000. It was also AGREED to use as much of the original Victorian edging as possible.

c)         To review the safety of memorials at Cookham Cemetery – The Clerk summarised the information on behalf of the Chairman. The information was produced by the Institute of Cemetery & Crematorium Management (ICCM) in reaction to the fact that there have been six deaths over the past ten years and many serious accidents in UK Cemeteries. The research looks at every aspect of how Parish and Borough Councils manage their cemeteries and how to best reduce the risk of accidents from insecure memorial stones. The Guidance is extensive and thorough but it was also noted that it could produce a lot of extra work. The Guidance offers a 1-day Seminar for the sum of £500. It was AGREED to write to RBWM and ask them what steps they were taking to protect their own Cemeteries and whether they would consider running the Seminar for the benefit of Parish Councils in the local area.

3.            ALLOTMENTS:

a)                  To respond to various complaints about rabbits and weeds at Sutton and weeds at Cookham Rise – Mrs Facer had complained about the number of rabbits eating her produce. It was noted that Mr Williams takes his ferret to Sutton every four weeks to try to keep them under control. Mrs Facer also queried Council policy on keeping the weeds down on unworked plots. It was AGREED to write a letter to Mrs Facer to explain that the Parish Council does its best to keep the allotment plots full but any vacant plots will be prone to weeds as are plots that are not kept up by the tenants. Cllr G. Harris proposed that any vacant plots could be sprayed with Roundup at the beginning of the season to give the plot a good start. This was seconded by Cllr Wellman. The complaints about weeds at Cookham Rise allotments were verbal only and disputed by the Committee. The Parish Council spends a substantial amount of money on keeping  Cookham Rise allotment weed-free throughout the year.

b)         To respond to Mr Cubley’s letter re: Cookham Dean Allotment – Mr Cubley had a query on how the paths worked at Cookham Dean and the width of those paths. He said that some allotment holders were working their allotments to the edge of their plot rather than leaving the minimum of 9ins (18ins in total path width for both allotments). He also queried the trend for constructing cages and fences around plots and asked whether these were erected with the Parish Council’s permission. Cllr G. Harris explained to the Committee how the paths worked and the Clerk was asked to inform Mr Cubley how best to get to his allotment. The Clerk would also explain that the cages and fences were erected to keep the deer and birds off the crops. The tool shed allowed on plot 8cd was hidden in a tree and therefore considered acceptable.

c)         To review allotment renewals – The Clerk passed round the latest maps and renewal forms for the three allotments. There were only three or four late renewals for Sutton and Cookham Dean including Cllr Harris who is always the last to pay! Letters would be sent in late December asking the late renewals whether they wish to continue with their plots. Mr McCarthy had sent a cheque for £81.00 to renew his annual lease at Cookham Dean even though the renewal sum was only £75.00. The Clerk was asked to return the cheque to Mr McCarthy and inform him that the lease was due to be reviewed during 2005.

4.   MEMORIALS:

a)                  Up-date on memorial maintenance grant application – The Clerk received a quote from Lamb & Co for essential maintenance works to both war memorials. For Cookham Dean war memorial the work involved white enamelling the engraved lettering on two bronze plaques at a cost of £165.00 plus vat. For the Cookham Village war memorial the work involved hand carving and enamelling two additional names at a cost of £129.50 plus vat. Also at Cookham Village memorial, to re-colour the raised lead lettering on the west side was quoted at £220.00 plus vat. Cllr Coker proposed that the Committee should accept the quote and get the work carried out as soon as possible. This was seconded by Cllr Harris. The Chairman agreed but said that she would try for a grant because the total was over the minimum £500.

b)                  To consider the value of continuing to receive an income from the Charity Accounts – It was AGREED to refer this item to the next meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee.

5.    FINANCE:  It was AGREED that the major project for next year would be the edging of the paths at the cemetery. Cllr Harris spoke of replacing the water pipe at Cookham Dean Allotments. It was RESOLVED to allow up to £200 to complete this urgent work.

The meeting closed at 10.00pm