COOKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

 Minutes of a Meeting of the

 COOKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

PRESENT:            Cllr H. J. Woodbridge (Chairman); M. Wellman (Vice Chairman).

Cllrs. M. Barnes, M. Brar, P. Brockwell, G. Harris, M. Innes, R. Piercey, A. Prichard,

D. Ricardo and J. Stretton.

1.      APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs M. Coker, S. Fairlie, A. Hay and

S. Saintclair-Abbott. There were no declarations of interest.

2.      MINUTES AND MATTERS ARISING:

The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 6^th July 2004 were agreed and signed as a correct record with no amendments. There were no matters arising. The minutes of the Extra Ordinary Full Council meeting held on 27^th July 2004 were also agreed and signed as a correct record.

3.      COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Minutes of the Footpaths and Open Spaces Committee held on 13^th July 2004 were circulated and duly received with one amendment. On page 911, item 2b should be changed from a ramp to a dropped kerb. The Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on the 27th July 2004 was agreed with no amendments. The Minutes of the Adoptive Acts Committee held on the 17^th August 2004 was agreed and signed as a correct record with no amendments.

4.  REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES:

1.      Cllr M. Innes attended a meeting of the Pinder Hall Management Committee. Roof blinds had been fixed, Deacons the estate agents attached to the hall had ceased trading and Nigel Topping was due to stand down as the Chairman.

5.QUESTIONS UNDER STANDING ORDERS 24/26:

1.                  Cllr D. Ricardo said that the proposed bridleway circuit around Cookham Dean needed to be discussed at the next meeting of the Footpaths Committee. He said that many of the proposed lanes on the route were too narrow such as Bradcutts Lane, Alleyns Lane and Warners Hill. The Clerk confirmed that this topic would be on the agenda of the next meeting of the Footpaths Committee.

2.                  Cllr D. Ricardo asked the Clerk to write to RBWM to remonstrate against the constant threat of flooding in Cookham High Street.

3.                  Cllr D. Ricardo asked the Clerk to write to RBWM to ask for a definition of the flood plain for planning purposes.

4.                  Cllr D. Ricardo asked the Clerk to write to the Environment Agency to make a strong case for keeping the restriction of the water flow in the Fleet at Marsh Meadow.

5.                  Cllr D. Ricardo asked for the flood alert telephone numbers to be completed on the relevant form in the flood pack.

6.                  Cllr D. Ricardo asked for lights to be placed on eastern side of the Causeway Bridge. It was agreed to add it to the next agenda of the Adoptive Acts Committee.

7.                  Cllr M. Wellman mentioned the email from Liz Kwantes re: Parish Council representation when the twin town of St Benoit visit in October. It would be included on the next Full Council agenda.

8.                  Cllr P. Brockwell mentioned the hatching on Cannondown Railway Bridge that has been abandoned in the railway sidings.

9.                  Cllr M. Brar said that a sign on the Maidenhead Road was missing.

6.            FINANCE:

On the proposition of Cllr. M. Wellman, seconded by Cllr H.J. Woodbridge, the cheques as listed on Pages 937 and 937a were passed for payment in the months of July and August.

7.            BOROUGH COUNCILLORS’ REPORT:

Cllr Ricardo mentioned worries about pollution on the site of the Little Marlow Sewage Works. He also said that the Environment Agency were trying to sue the companies that had produced the plans for the Jubilee River because its capacity was much less than promised. Strande Lane was also mentioned and a new computer model should be available at the end of the year.

8.  ADOPTION OF AN EMERGENCY COMMITTEE:

Whilst routine decisions can usually be taken by the Clerk and Chairman, there was a need for an emergency committee to take important decisions when there is no time to get Councillors together for an emergency meeting. It was unanimously agreed to appoint a Committee comprising of: Cllrs Brar; M. Innes; G. Harris; H.J.Woodbridge and M. Wellman.

9.                  TO AGREE TO INCREASE OUR CONTRIBUTION TO COOKHAM LIBRARY:

The Finance Chairman said that even though there is no allowance in the budget for this substantial increase, the Parish Council can afford to pay the extra monies. The Chairman felt that the Parish Council had no option but to agree the increase for this year only and the extra may have to come from a higher precept. The Clerk said that evidence of the popularity and use of the library would be valuable to show to the auditors. Cllr H. J. Woodbridge proposed acceptance of the increase for this year only. Vote: IN FAVOUR = 8, AGAINST = 1, ABSTENTION = 1.

10.              CHAIRMAN’S SUBMISSIONS:

The walk around the farmland of Copas Farms had been arranged and two dates set aside. Councillors were asked to select the most convenient date – Thursday 9^th September or Sunday 19^th September 2004. The Bucks and Berks Council Training programme were holding a morning to discuss playground safety on Saturday 18^th September – the Clerk said she would go.

11.              CORRESPONDENCE:  A list of correspondence and periodicals received during the month of July and August was circulated with the agenda. These were available in the Parish Office for Councillors’ perusal.

The Meeting closed at 9.30pm.