Minutes of Main Council

Held in the Community Room on Tuesday, 7^th March 2006, after the Planning Meeting, at 7.30pm.

In attendance: Andrew Streat (Maidenhead Advertiser), Antony Quarrell (Maidenhead Express) and one member of the public.

Apologies were received from Cllr Innes and Borough Cllr M. Cubley. Cllr Ricardo declared a personal interest in item 4 because he lives in the Flood Plain.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 7^th February 2006 were circulated and duly signed with one amendment. On page 218, item 4. no 5, line 2, Cllr Stretton requested that “£10,400 to the charities in Cookham” was deleted and “£10, 400 to the Poppy Appeal Fund” was added.

3. COMMITTEE REPORTS: The Minutes of the Adoptive Acts Committee held on 21^st February 2006 were approved with no amendments but one comment from Cllr Coker. He announced that consecration for other denominations other than CofE in the Cookham Cemetery was not necessary as it was common practice for different denominations to be buried side by side.

4. MARSH MEADOW MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE – To consider 1 of 3 options to provide a bund on Marsh Meadow in connection with the Flood Alleviation Scheme: Cllr Ricardo said that the Environment Agency had produced five options to help ease flooding in Cookham and these are due to be discussed at the next meeting of the Marsh Meadow Management Committee Meeting. The Environment Agency have not said which they prefer. Option 3 is a bund from the Crown to Terrys Lane which will mean the loss of a Footpath and a bund higher than the existing one plus raising the wall on Marsh Meadow and Bellrope Meadow. There would also be bunds placed around Lightlands Lane and Danes Gardens. Option 4 is a bund on the Moor with restricted flow into the Fleet and a channel across

Widbrook. The flood walls would be raised to protect Lightlands Lane and Danes Gardens. Option 5 is a bund on Marsh Meadow to keep greater water in the river and taking away the step at Odney Weir. In Cllr Ricardo’s view the water from Cliveden Reach would come across the Widbrook and the Jubilee Channel would struggle to cope. Cllr Saintclair-Abbott said that he would like to see some facts and figures presented by the Environment Agency on this. It was AGREED that Cookham Parish Council had insufficient information to give Cllr Prichard guidance for the next Marsh Meadow Management Committee Meeting. He would attempt to gather further information at the meeting and report back to the Council.

Cllr Saintclair Abbott reported that a first meeting of the Steering Group was due to take place on 15^th March at the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Sarah Ward from CCB would also attend this meeting where a Chairman and other officers would be appointed.

2. Cllr Prichard attended a meeting at Holy Trinity Primary School to progress the improvements to the school play ground.

7. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS UNDER STANDING ORDERS 24/26: No questions were received.

The list of cheques raised in the month of March as listed on Page 237 were approved on the proposition of Cllr Wellman and seconded by Cllr Prichard.

9. BOROUGH COUNCILLORS’ REPORT: Cllr Ricardo used this session to talk about the other two options on the Flood Relief topic. He said that Option 1 would mean individual bunds around houses at risk and Option 2 would see a large channel over Widbrook and a new bridge. Cllr Innes and Ricardo met someone from RBWM re: insuring of the Causeway and were awaiting further advice. Cllr Ricardo congratulated Cllr Harris on the area at the bottom of Stonehouse Lane as he thought the area looked superb. Cllr Brar said that RBWM has now heard from the Social Club re: the pavement at Station Hill and the legal process was due to be started.

10. TO APPROVE PROVISIONAL BOOKING OF 2006 PARISH TOUR AND TO CONFIRM APPLICATION OF “GRAND IN THE HAND” GRANT TOWARDS THE COSTS: It was AGREED to approve the Summer Activities booked for the first week of the summer holidays starting from 31^st July 2006.

11. CHAIRMAN’S SUBMISSIONS: The Chairman reminded Councillors that the Donations Policy was due to be formally adopted at the Full Council Meeting on 4^th April. The Chairman also reminded Councillors that if they request an item on the agenda, they must ensure that they have a clear issue and that the item is lawful.

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