Open Spaces - Minutes

REPORT OF THE OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE HELD ON 30th OCTOBER 2007

MEMBERSHIP & ATTENDANCE

 Chairman: *Mrs M Jarrett

Councillors *A Barton, *N Eve, *Mrs B Green, Mrs M Hampton (ex officio), R Kipps (ex officio), *G Liley, *S Watkins, *Mrs J Worrall

*Denotes members present

Also in attendance Cllr M Green

There were two members of the public present.

PART I - RECOMMENDATIONS

NIL

 PART 2 – MINUTES

 07/42 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Cllr Mrs M Hampton and Cllr Kipps.

07/43 DECLARATION OF INTEREST

 There were no declarations of interest.

07/44 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

The Committee RESOLVED

That, subject to the changes made at Full Council, the minutes of the meeting held on 11th September 2007 be approved as a true and correct record.

07/45 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

 There were no matters arising.

07/46 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE COMMON USER GROUP MEETING

Representatives of the Golf Club were unable to attend the Common User Group meeting but sent written representation.

The Golf Club requested to be allowed to use a form of matting to act as an anti-slip treatment for wooden steps. An example of the matting was handed round. The Senior Ranger explained that the matting, if allowed, would be required on three tees with between two and three steps per tee.

Cllr Mrs Worrall proposed that the Committee agree with the proposal for the specified areas. This was seconded by Cllr Barton. Cllr Eve proposed an amendment which added, “for one year in the first instance”.

This amendment was not seconded.

 The Committee RESOLVED

That permission be granted for the anti-slip matting on the wooden steps on three tees. This was carried five in favour with two abstentions.

07/47 FINANCIAL COMPARISON STATEMENT 2007/08

The Committee RESOLVED

To note the report.

ALLOTMENTS

07/48 OCCUPATION OF ALLOTMENTS

The Committee RESOLVED

To note the report and to pass comment on the increased occupancy in the allotments.

COMMON AND GROVEWOOD

07/49 REPORT OF THE SENIOR PARISH RANGER

The Senior Parish Ranger advised he had communicated with Friends of the Common to organise a Working Party for work to be carried out on the Common ponds. He also explained that the heavier work would be carried out by machines.

The Committee RESOLVED

To note the report

07/50 CRICKET CLUB ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES

The Committee received a report from representatives of the Cricket Club.

The Committee learned that the Cricket Club propose to phase in the work over two years and intend to present the whole package (moving of the pitch, removal of the Lime tree and new pavilion) to Three Rivers District Council (TRDC) early in 2008.

Cllr Mrs Green asked if all the funding had been secured. The Club confirmed that it was working on fund raising and applications for grants. Cllr Mrs Worrall stated that there may be access to funds by the Parish Council and she would investigate the possibilities and report back. Cllr Barton suggested that the Cricket Club contact Chris Hope at TRDC.

The Committee also looked at the specification and

The Committee RESOLVED

To note the minutes of the Cricket Club Advisory Group.

07/51 PROPOSALS FROM THE CRICKET CLUB

Members considered the specifications obtained by the Cricket Club for the re-laying of the cricket playing area.

Cllr Mrs Jarrett suggested that funding could be available from the Chilterns sustainability fund. Cllr Eve suggested that there was no requirement to discuss how the scheme would be financed at this stage. The Clerk advised that a copy of the specification had been sent to the CMS for comment.

Cllr Mrs Jarrett proposed from the Chair and The Committee unanimously RESOLVED

(i) That the specification be agreed subject to comments from Countryside Management Services (CMS).

(ii) That the Cricket Club provides two additional quotations.

07/52 PROTECTION OF BOUNDARY BETWEEN THE PADDOCKS AND THE COMMON

The Committee considered the details in the report but felt ultimately that the residents of the Paddocks would need to resolve the issues of the boundary fence.

The Committee RESOLVED

To note the report and monitor the situation.

LAWN CEMETERY

07/53 LAWN CEMETERY - OCCUPATION

 The Committee RESOLVED To note the occupation of the Lawn Cemetery.

PARISH PATHS

Nothing to report

GENERAL

07/54 BUDGET STRATEGY 2008/09

 After discussion, The Committee RESOLVED

• To agree the revised budget.

(ii) To include the litter bins in the Revenue budget at a cost of £1,000 per annum with replacement on a rolling programme.

This was proposed by Cllr Mrs Jarrett, seconded by Cllr Liley and unanimously approved.

 07/55 CLOSURE

 There being no further business, the meeting having commenced at 8.00 pm closed at 9.29 pm