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, M. Coker, G. Harris, M. Innes,

       A. Prichard, D. Ricardo and J. Stretton.

1.      APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

Apologies were received from Cllrs Fry, Piercey, Fairlie and Saintclair-Abbott. There were no Declarations of Interest.

2.                  APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 7^th March 2006 were circulated and duly signed with no amendments.

3.                  COMMITTEE REPORTS: The Minutes of the Footpaths and Open Spaces Committee held on 21^st March 2006 were approved with two amendments. On page 244, Cllr Wellman wished to note that because the play area was used by all the community it was not necessary to get a third party involved for 106 monies. However, using 106 monies on the pitches used by Cookham Dean Football Club was not so beneficial to the community therefore it would be better for the Club to make a contribution. On page 244, 5b, line 6 Cllr Ricardo wished to amend the sentence to say: “The Clerk said that she would check whether the deeds were registered with RBWM for the sites mentioned above.”

4.                  TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES:

1.      Cllr Innes attended a meeting of Pinder Hall Management Committee.

2.      Cllrs Brar and Prichard went to a meeting of the Marsh Meadow Committee meeting.

3.      Cllr Coker went to a meeting of Governors for Cookham Rise School.

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

6.            FINANCE: To approve the cheques paid in April 2006: The list of cheques raised in the month of April as listed on Page 252 were approved on the proposition of Cllr Stretton and seconded by Cllr Wellman. Cllr Wellman had a query on the £250 paid by Cookham Youth Project for the Summer Activities. It was agreed to make this an agenda item at the next Finance Committee meeting.

7.         BOROUGH COUNCILLORS’ REPORT: Cllr Ricardo said that new planning regulations for development in the Flood Plain were due to be published. The work on the drains outside The Crown pub had been delayed and were due to be completed in May. Cllr Brar said that RBWM had still not heard from the Social Club re: Station Hill project.

8.         TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON THE PARISH PLAN: Cllr Coker reported that the meeting in March had been successful with eleven people recruited on to the Steering Committee and more may be recruited as necessary. The Clerk was given a list of names and contact numbers. The next meeting was due to be held on 24^th April. It was also suggested that the Parish Council may wish to consider giving a sum towards the expense of the Parish Plan. This request would be discussed at the next meeting of the Finance Committee.

9.         TO ADOPT THE REVISED SET OF MODEL STANDING ORDERS PROVIDED BY NALC: The Chairman and Vice Chairman recommended formal adoption at the AGM of the Standing Orders and Chairmanship issued by NALC. A set of the Standing Orders had been in the Parish Office for all Councillors to peruse prior to this meeting. Cllr Stretton proposed to accept this adoption, this was seconded by Cllr Prichard. Following formal adoption, a set of Standing Orders will be issued to all Councillors. The document will be in a ring binder rather than a printed booklet. This will make amendments easier and cheaper in the future.

10.       TO ADOPT A POLICY FOR THE COUNCIL TO DEAL WITH MONETARY DONATIONS: The policy was considered with one amendment. Cllr Coker queried whether the action of allocating all donations in March at the end of the financial year was fair to all. After much debate, it was AGREED that companies would be encouraged to put forward their projects literally by the end of the year in December. The Finance Committee would then meet early in January to discuss the recommendations to be put forward to Full Council.

11.       TO ADOPT A PROCEDURE FOR THE COUNCIL TO DEAL WITH COMPLAINTS: The Chairman said that this policy was due to his being involved in a number of complaints throughout the year. This code is a template issued by NALC and is designed to protect not only the Clerk but the Chairman and Councillors too. It was queried how the Chairman could remain independent and impartial if he was investigating a complaint against himself. Cllr Prichard said that in this situation the Vice Chairman should take over the Chair. Cllr Stretton proposed that Cookham Parish Council accept these words. This was seconded by Cllr Barnes. Vote: IN FAVOUR = 9, AGAINST = 2, ABSTENTION = 1.

12.            CHAIRMAN’S SUBMISSIONS: The Parish Conference deadline for topics was Wednesday 5^th April. Cllr Prichard had submitted a question asking where the 1.4 million pounds from 106 contributions goes throughout the Borough. The Clerk also spoke briefly of a meeting that was held at the request of Mr Paul Spencer. It was regarding the proposed highway improvements that must be made at the junction of Worster Road and High Road before the Sandpipers development can go ahead.

12.       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 9.15pm.