Apm 2001
Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting of Chipperfield Parish Council, held at the Village Hall, Chipperfield, on Monday 9 April 2001 at 8.00pm
From 7.30pm - 8.00pm prior to commencement of the meeting, Council and villagers took the opportunity to view two displays of progress on Millennium projects being sponsored by the Parish Council:
Display of St Paul’s School Millennium Diary, and
Display of progress work on the Village Map.
At 8.00pm, before commencement of formal proceedings:
Chairman of Council - Cllr David Nobbs extended a warm welcome to all Chipperfield villagers and nearby villagers present, and then introduced each Member of Council in attendance and the Clerk, and County Councillor Mrs Janet Anderson.
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The meeting then moved on to consider the formal Agenda.
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PRESENT: Councillor DJ Nobbs (Chair). Councillor MD Joseph (Vice Chair). Councillors: J Carter, Mrs BA Berners-Price, Miss EA Holliday, RJH Neil, JDF Nichols; and the Clerk. Also 26 local electors and nearby residents and County Councillor Mrs J Anderson
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE; were received on behalf of Mr Richard Roberts and Mr Tony Briselden.
2. MINUTES OF THE 10 APRIL 2000 MEETING: were unanimously approved, and signed by the Chairman.
Proposed: Mr Ray
Seconded: Mr Tagg.
3. PROPOSALS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE ‘VILLAGE CHEST’
Cllr Nobbs briefly outlined the history of this Chipperfield charity fund administered by three anonymous trustees. The ‘Chipperfield Village Chest’ was started in 1966, the reason behind this being that from the first and second ‘Village Days’ the profits made were sent to charities outside the village and it was thought by the Village Day Committee of that time that any future profits from Village Day should be used within the Village. Funds were to be used towards cases of need within the Civil and Parochial Parish.
Following recent requests from the Village, in light of present day practice, that the accounts be made public, the trustees resigned and forwarded, anonymously, a cheque in the sum of £2616.98 to the Parish Council, being the certified total sum held by the trustees. Furthermore, £880.70 has been donated from proceeds from the year 2000 Village Day.
As the Parish Council are not empowered to administer such a charity, they have been urgently seeking advice as to legal transfer of funds to a suitable charity approved by the Charity Commission and to be ‘ring fenced’ for the benefit of the Village. Calculated interest earned on capital held in the meantime will also be transferred.
After initial discussions with the Hertfordshire Community Foundation, negotiations are now being held with the Dacorum Community Trust which seems more appropriate. Mrs Margaret Kingston who lives in the Village happens to be an administrator and is present at this meeting to answer questions.
It is proposed to re-name the charity as ‘Chipperfield Community Fund’.
Questions raised from the floor were duly answered.
PROPOSED BY CLLR NOBBS:
Funds be transferred to the Dacorum Community Trust, when approved by the Charity Commission, and named ‘Chipperfield Community Fund’.
SECONDED:
Mrs Briselden. Mrs Wyburd.
AGAINST: None.
4. REPORTS FROM CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL, AND CHAIR OF COMMITTEES, ON THE ACTIVITIES OF COUNCIL FOR YEAR 2000/01, AS PUBLISHED IN THE APRIL 2001 EDITION OF CHIPPERFIELD NEWS: were unanimously approved with thanks.
5. FINANCIAL REPORT
Cllr Joseph reported on the financial position of the Parish as shown on the Budget Statements 2001/2002, Movement on Reserves at 31 March 2000, Statement of Income & Expenditure Year Ending 31/03/00; circulated to the meeting.
There were no questions arising from the Budget Statements or relating to the Financial Status of the Parish.
6. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES AND REPORTS, AND OPEN DISCUSSION
Points and questions were raised from the floor and answered by, or on behalf of, the Chairman:
Q. What is the latest outcome of the Foot and Mouth restrictions?
A. As at 5.10pm to-day some public rights of way will be open with notices displayed. DBC hope next week to open Chipperfield Common but some nearby landlords still have to be consulted.
Q. When will the Village Map be completed and installed?
A. Bovingdon took 2½ years to complete theirs. Hundreds of hours have been devoted to the Chipperfield map. It is hoped to be completed this summer.
Q. Who is responsible for upkeep and repairs to the War Memorial, the cross has disintegrated?
A. Researches carried out show that in general no institution or public body is responsible. It is assumed that Parish/Town Councils, although not obliged to do so, will assume responsibility. Chipperfield Parish Council are sympathetically considering the matter.
Q. What measures are being taken to preserve the grass verge fronting St Paul’s Church from destruction by vehicle parking?
A. The Parish Council are taking temporary measures. Long term solution is under investigation and costing.
Q. What is being done about parking in front of The Two Brewers?
A. Investigations are being carried out with the Highways Authority.
Q. What is being done about the recent spate of vandalism and setting fire to vehicles?
A. Consultations have taken place with the local Police who have been most helpful and made covert visits but no one has been caught. Lighting of the ‘Church’ car park is being considered by a CPC sub-committee.
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and for their contributions to the meeting. All present were invited to stay for refreshments and to chat with Councillors and friends.
Formal proceedings closed at 9.18pm.