The Committee was updated on progress on management and maintenance of the Green since the Englefield Green meeting in October 2022.

Wildflower planting

Officers reported that the Councils Green Spaces Manager had been liaising with members of the Committee regarding location and choice of wildflowers.  Once purchased the flowers would be passed to volunteers for planting.  In order to expedite it was agreed that delegated authority be given to agree a wildflower planting regime.

Event applications

The Committee was asked to consider two event applications which had recently been received.

The first application was from James Beach.   The application was for a funfair to be held on the Green from 19^th to 21^st May 2023.  Expected attendees were in the region of 500.   The Committee considered the application.  Members recalled previous damage caused to the Green caused by the funfair.  It was noted that no business case had been submitted along with the application to allay the Committees previous concerns so therefore Members asked Officers to reject the application on this occasion.

The second application was from the Englefield Green Village Residents Association (EGVRA) to hold to the Englefield Green Village Fair on the Green on Saturday 24^th June 2023. The fair would run between 12 noon and 5pm.   Set up would be on Friday 23^rd June and the morning of the 24^th.  The event would be taken down between 5pm and 7pm on the 24^th.  The Committee was fully supportive of EGVRA holding the village fair on the Green again this year.   The fair was always well supported and enjoyed by local residents.

New Street lamp located on Englefield Green

The Committee was advised that the post thought to be a new streetlamp had now been removed.   Officers had liaised with Surrey County Council who had confirmed that the post was intended to support a Vehicle Activated Sign (VAS) and not a streetlight.  A future consultation exercise would take place to agree a suitable alternative location.

Additional grounds maintenance charges and arrangements post Idverde contract

Since the mutual termination of the Idverde Grounds Maintenance contract in November 2022 Environmental Services teams were currently being built up.  A new in-house team would deliver grounds maintenance across the Borough including Englefield Green. 

Any additional work requested by the Committee would incur additional charges as stated in paragraph 2.8 of the report.  The Committee was advised that any additional work required 1 months’ notice.  Whilst Officers would do their best to accommodate additional work requests it would depend on the work demands on Officers at that time.

A member of the Committee reported that the leaf clearance had been unsatisfactory and subsequently the grass had been damaged.   The Committee was advised that barring manned parks Englefield Green was the only Green Space to receive leaf clearing.   Officers could arrange for a second leaf clearance, but the cost would be £200 as detailed in paragraph 2.8 of the report. 

Given the damage to the surface of the Green due to falling leaves the Committee discussed the viability of re-seeding the grass.  Officers were asked to obtain costings for this and circulate to all Members of the Committee by email for consideration. 

Additional posts

The Committee was advised that Officers had received the map indicating the proposed positioning of additional posts.  Officers advised the Committee that the 1955 lease granted by the Crown stated that the Council must not ‘break up the surface of the said land without the previous consent in writing from the Lessor’.

Therefore, the installation of any additional posts would require consent from the Crown Estate.  An increase in the number of posts could qualify as a breach of the statutory duty to keep the Green open and unenclosed.   Officers would review the location map and consider the impact and statutory duties.

Englefield Green Member Working Party

The establishment of an Englefield Green Member Working Party (MWP) was fully supported by the Committee.  The MWP would include Members of the Englefield Green Committee along with Councillor M Heath as SCC representative.  The MWP would be held in the Englefield Green locality and be open to the public.