COOKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the

 COOKHAM PARISH COUNCIL

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

Cllrs. M. Brar, P. Brockwell, G. Harris, M. Innes, R. Piercey, D. Ricardo and J. Stretton.

1.      APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Barnes, Coker, Fairlie, Hay and Saintclair-Abbott. There were no Declarations of Interest.

2.                  APPROVAL ON MINUTES: The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 5^th April 2005 were agreed and signed as a correct record with several amendments. On Page 054, Borough Councillors’ report, line 3, Cllr Brar was talking about free swimming for the over 60s, NOT slimming! On the same page, item 9, Cllr Ricardo wished to change the second line to “could use a lower quality carriage as long as it does not go on the main line”.

3.                  COMMITTEE REPORTS: The Minutes of the Adoptive Acts Committee meeting held on 12^th April 2005 were circulated and duly approved with one amendment. One page 058, second line should read: Cllr Prichard to hire a skip for Sutton and the cost to be met by the Parish. The Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on 19^th April 2005 were approved 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.

2.      Cllr A. Prichard went to a Sites and Buildings Committee Meeting at Holy Trinity School.

3.      Cllr G. Harris attended a meeting of the Governors at Cookham Dean Primary School.

5. QUESTIONS UNDER STANDING ORDERS 24/26:

Cllr A. Prichard asked why some Councillors are failing to report back to the Full Council when they attend meetings outside of normal Parish Meetings. Cllr Prichard mentioned two occasions. The first concerned Cllrs Brar and Saintclair-Abbott and their visit to see the CCTV cameras monitoring the High Street. The second was Cllr Ricardo’s meeting with the shop keepers in Cookham to discuss the CCTV cameras and the amount of crime in the High Street. Cllr Prichard also mentioned political issues concerning the Bus Service in Cookham Dean however the Chairman intervened and said that the topic should not be discussed under this agenda item. Cllr Ricardo said that it was “disgusting” that he was not to be allowed to reply to Cllr Prichard. (NB. It was later confirmed that Cllr Saintclair-Abbott did not attend the visit to see the CCTV cameras.)

6.            FINANCE:

The list of cheques raised in the month of May as listed on Page 072 were approved on the proposition of Cllr M. Wellman and seconded by Cllr J. Stretton.

7.            BOROUGH COUNCILLORS’ REPORT:

Cllr Ricardo spoke of the FRAG meeting and said that the EA is evaluating the cost of various schemes whilst the new computer analysis of the flood plain in Cookham is being prepared. Three applications for Certificates of Lawfulness had been raised for storage buildings on the gardens at Black Butts Cottages. Cllr Ricardo said that they would not necessarily come to Planning Committee for consultation in the normal way. Cllrs Stretton and Prichard said that they would endeavour to gain more information on these Certificates when they meet with concerned householders at the weekend.

8.         TO REVIEW THE LIST OF PROJECTS FOR 106 MONIES AND SUGGEST NEW PROJECTS FOR OPEN SPACES: Cllr Wellman went through the information sent by Kate Dagnall at RBWM. There was a total of £28k allocated to be spent on play area improvements and £18k allocated for pitch improvements, although only £3724 and £2447 had been approved. Cllr Wellman said that our play area had been criticised and perhaps now was the time to put the 106 monies to the test and recommend a new piece of equipment. It was AGREED to put this topic on the agenda of the next meeting of the Footpaths and Open Spaces Committee. It was also agreed that the Council must review the list of parish projects over the next few months and prioritise their importance.

9.            CHAIRMAN’S SUBMISSIONS: 

The Chairman mentioned a meeting with developer, Trinity Residential, to discuss their refused plans for new houses on Maidenhead Road.

10.            CORRESPONDENCE:

A list of correspondence and periodicals received during the month of April was circulated with the agenda. These were available in the Parish Office for Councillors’ perusal. The Meeting closed at 9.25pm.