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. Coker, S. Fairlie, G. Harris, R. Piercey, A. Prichard, D. Ricardo and J. Stretton.

1.      APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Brar and Hay because they were representing the Council at the Parish Conference. Apologies were also received from Cllrs Brockwell and Innes. There were no Declarations of Interest.

2.                  APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 7^th June 2005 were circulated and duly signed as a correct record with no amendments.

3.                  COMMITTEE REPORTS: The Minutes of the Adoptive Acts Committee Meeting held on 14^th June 2005 were approved with one amendment. On Page 092, line 8, Cllr Coker wished to change the emphasis of what he said to: Cllr Coker said perhaps other religions carry out their own consecration procedures. The Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on 21^st June 2005 were circulated and approved with two amendments. On Page 99, Cllr Fairlie queried the start time of the meeting which had been omitted and should read 8.40pm. On Page 100, line 3, Cllr Coker asked to change his words from “spoke against any moves to streamline our computers with RBWM” to “queried the policy of RBWM”.

4.  REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES:

1.   Cllr Prichard attended a Library Liaison Meeting with Cookham Rise School and Cookham Library; a Governors Meeting at Holy Trinity Primary School and a Cookham Shopkeepers Meeting to plan their Charity afternoon on 11^th December.

2.      Cllr Coker attended a Governors Meeting to discuss behaviour policy.

5. QUESTIONS UNDER STANDING ORDERS 24/26:

Cllr Harris wanted to know what was happening with the present closure of FP60. The Clerk said she would talk to Cllr Cubley for any news.

                                                                                                                                    106

6.            FINANCE:

The list of cheques raised in the month of June as listed on Page 107 were approved on the proposition of Cllr J. Stretton and seconded by Cllr S. Fairlie.

7.            BOROUGH COUNCILLORS’ REPORT:

Cllr Ricardo commented on the new Lower Thames Flood Risk Map and thought there was a new leaflet available. He also said that the cost of installing new drains outside Keeleys Cottage and The Crown would cost approx. £39,000.

8.         TO DECIDE WHETHER THE INTERNAL AUDIT PERFORMED BY MR RITCHIE IS SATISFACTORY: The Internal Audit carried out by Mr Ritchie was completed in approx. one hour. The Clerk was surprised at the time at how quickly he seemed to take in a lot of information and felt that his short letter of findings was not thorough enough. Both the Chairman and the Clerk said they felt unhappy at signing off accounts without a rigorous Internal Audit. It was proposed by Cllr Prichard and seconded by Cllr Stretton, to talk to NALC for a definition of a satisfactory Internal Audit and if necessary to appoint Mr Barrie Dancer to complete a formal Internal Audit.

9.         TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF SUTTON ROAD CAR PARK: PC de Haan had advised the Clerk to write to Peter Bennett of Thames Valley Police concerning the implications of a report that talked of the difficulties of policing areas with few street lights. The Chairman said that the car park should not be closed without some form of public consultation. It was AGREED that the Clerk should write to Mr Bennett and perhaps invite him to a Council Meeting where the topic can be discussed in more detail.

10.       TO DISCUSS THE FEASIBILTY OF LIGHTING THE WAR MEMORIAL:  After a brief discussion of different types of lighting and the possible costs, it was AGREED to investigate the various costs of lighting the war memorial.

11.             CHAIRMAN’S SUBMISSIONS: RBWM had sent a copy of their draft Local Development Framework to comment on. Cllr Wellman said he was studying it but would like some more support from other Councillors. It was AGREED to collate the various responses at the meeting on 26^th July. Cllrs Stretton and Prichard volunteered to attend the Borough Planning meeting where Black Butts Cottages’ Certificates of Lawfulness were being discussed. Cllr Brar had been trained by RBWM to use a graffiti removal kit. The Chairman finished the meeting by reminding Councillors that they had a duty to attend a Parish Council Meeting and must give a reason for any apology.

12.            CORRESPONDENCE:

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

The Meeting closed at 9.05pm.