Document Site furniture on Englefield Green

The Committee received audit information regarding existing site furniture including benches, posts and bollards, bridges and signage.  Members also received an update on the proposed bench replacement. Most posts and bollards were in relatively good condition.  Officers would prepare a cost proposal to replace those in poor condition for the next Committee meeting.

Officers advised the Committee that there were 14 wooden benches situated around the Green, with a further two metal benches in the children’s play area.  All the benches currently had a Green RAG (risk) rating.  However, the benches would be monitored as part of the on-going management plan.

Following on from communication to local residents regarding the opportunity to donate a memory bench, Officers received 4 responses.  The first person on the list was contacted but despite several follow up emails no reply was received. 

Officers contacted the second person on the list and the donation of a memory bench had been progressed.  The bench would be installed by the end of November on the Barley Mow plinth. Additionally, two other families were looking to arrange memory benches on the Green.

The matrix paving had not yet been installed.  This would be included at the foot of the previously identified benches during the scheduled renovations where no other concrete base exists.

All the bridges were structurally sound, these would also be added to the long-term management programme and continually monitored.

The Committee was advised that Runnymede Borough Council’s Communications team was currently leading on a project to improve branding and refresh signage in green spaces across the whole borough.  Officers reassured the Committee that different signage would be used to areas with different characteristics and on Englefield Green this would incorporate existing messaging and messaging previously approved by the Committee.  Officers would bring an update on the new signage proposals to the next Committee meeting in January.

Resolved that:

Site furniture should be added to the Englefield Green’s long-term management programme.

The installation of two memory benches as detailed in the report be approved.