The Committee was updated on management and maintenance of the Green.

The Committee was advised that with regard to the Englefield Green Management Plan, due to long term sickness within the Green Space team,  there was no progress to report.  It was reported that it was now unlikely that the Management Plan would be available until the end of this year.

The work approved at the last Committee meeting (ground maintenance of the Green, scarifying, removing arisings and top dressing) had been completed.

It was noted that some arisings remained and Officers would arrange for these to be collected by the grounds maintenance team.

With regard to replacement of the fallen wooden posts.   The Corporate Head of Environmental Services had contacted the Crown Estates Office.  The Office confirmed they were happy for the failed posts to be replaced but their preferred material was wood.   The Committee recalled that composite posts had initially been installed around the Green to prevent traveller incursions and composite posts were already held in stock from previous procurement.   Composite posts were much stronger, didn’t rot and the composite posts already in situ had been a resounding success. 

Officers were therefore asked to go back to the Crown Estate informing them that there were already a large number of composite posts insitu on the Green (noting these were initially installed to prevent traveller incursions).   Officers to seek the consent of the Crown Estate for the existing failed wooden posts to be replaced with the composite posts previously procured by the Council and held in readiness for installation.  Officers were also asked to seek consent for replacement of wooden posts with composite posts rather than replacement on a like for like basis, going forward.

The first grass cut had now taken place.  This work included strimming the banks and removal of leaves.  It was noted that ideally given the recent re-seeding of the Green the mow would have been delayed.    Officers reported however that the mow had taken place following a request for the Green to be mowed prior to the Easter bank holiday weekend in preparation for Easter events. It was noted that unfortunately the team had mowed the edge of the location where the wildflowers were planted.   Officers were asked to ensure this area was left in future to ensure the longevity of the recent wildflower planting.

Officers were asked if local residents could source their own 3^rd party contractors to undertake work on the Green (i.e. contractors sourced by Committee members but whose appointment was subject to the approval of Council Officers and would be supervised by the Committee Members).   Officers advised the Committee that they thought this unlikely and would  speak to the Council’s legal team to see if this was permissible.  Officers confirmed that with agreement from officers volunteers could help with maintenance work on the green.

With regard to matrix matting  Officers would arrange to meet with members of the Committee on the Green to confirm where the matrix paving needed to be installed.

Consent from the Crown Estate would then be needed prior to installation.

Some concerns were raised regarding weeds remaining on the Green, noting that last year’s organic weed killer treatment appeared to have been more successful than this year’s treatment.

Officers explained that the treatment agreed my members at the January Englefield Green Committee meeting did not include weed treatment.

A memory bench had now been installed on the site of the empty plinth.   The full cost to be covered by the donor.   Officers would contact the finance team to ensure full payment had been received.

With regard to the financial statement included in the report it was noted that with regard to the wildflower planting, £2000 was approved by the Englefield Green Committee in October 2022 not October 2023 as stated.   Overseeding was approved at the October 2023 Committee meeting, but this expenditure was superseded by the lawn treatment approved at the Committee meetings in January and February 2024.   As noted above the broken bench was to be funded by donation.