The Committee was updated on various management and maintenance issues relating to the Green and sought the Committee’s support for the installation of additional posts to strengthen site security and approve the installation of signs.

Lawn treatment

Further to costs being circulated to Committee Members, an order had been placed for the work to be undertaken in March/April 2022.  The costs would be funded by ring-fenced money.  Officers would advise Members of exact timings/date of application of treatment by email, when received.

Wildflower planting

The Committee was advised that Officers had obtained quotations for the preparation and sowing of wildflower seeds and an order for the works and seeds had been placed.  The costs would be funded by ring-fenced money.  The Committee was looking forward to seeing the wildflowers come into bloom and were pleased to note they would regenerate.  Councillor Kusneraitis was thanked for originally suggesting this approach.

Site Security

Due to several unauthorised vehicle incursions Officers advised the Committee that additional posts could be placed in strategic locations to deter future incidents.  Ten posts were held in stock so would be of a style to match those previously installed. 
There would therefore be no purchasing costs for them, the only cost would be for their installation, which was in the region of £120 per post.  This would be funded from ring-fenced funds.

Officers provided the Committee with a map of the Green and suggested that an additional 16 posts would be beneficial at the northern end of the Green.   The Committee agreed with this approach and asked Officers to obtain costings for purchasing and installation of these additional posts and forward to Committee Members for approval.

Signage

The Committee was presented with a design of proposed signs to be placed on existing signposts around the Green.  Members were pleased with the design but asked Officers to re-do the top border to ensure the fire image was deleted.  The signs would be funded from the ring-fenced money.

CCTV and report of criminality and ASB

The subject of installation of CCTV cameras to provide surveillance of the Green had been investigated by this Committee on previous occasions.  Officers advised the Committee that in order for CCTV to be installed a test set by the Information Commissioners Office must be met.  Whilst there had been recorded instances of anti-social behaviour and vehicle incursions on the Green Officers were of the opinion that these would not meet the threshold of the test and the installation of CCTV could therefore not be justified at the current time.

The Committee was advised of a suite of options for reporting incidents, records of which could then support any future consideration of CCTV installation.  The Committee was asked to encourage residents to use the appropriate reporting systems in order for the data to be compiled and provide a true body of evidence. 

The Committee asked that the Council’s Community Safety Officer attend the next meeting of the Englefield Green Committee to report on the evidence of ASB that had been recorded and further information on appropriate reporting channels.

Resolved that:

i)         The installation of 10 additional posts held in stock to be placed around the Green at strategic locations to strengthen site security; and

ii)        Officers to obtain costings for the purchase and installation of a further 16 posts for installation at the northern end of the Green; and

iii)      The example signage (after deletion of the fire image on the top border) be approved; and

iv)     The Council’s Community Safety Officer be invited to
attend the next meeting to provide evidence of what ASB has been recorded and further information on appropriate reporting channels