February 2003
Minutes of the Meeting of Chipperfield Parish Council, held in ‘The Upper Room’ at St. Paul’s Church extension, Chipperfield, on Monday 10 February 2003 at 8.00pm
PRESENT: Councillor DJ Nobbs (Chair).
Councillors: J Carter, Miss EA Holliday, RJH Neil, JDF Nichols; with J Pringle (Clerk) in attendance.
Borough Councillor R Roberts and CPC Common Ranger P Hewetson were present as observers.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE; were submitted on behalf of Councillors Mrs BA Berners-Price, MD Joseph (Vice Chair), and Mrs RV Wakeman.
Apology for possible late attendance was submitted on behalf of Councillor RJH Neil.
Apologies were also submitted on behalf of County Councillor Mrs J Anderson and Borough Councillor Mrs J Bradnock, for not being able to attend as observers.
11/03 THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 13 JANUARY: were approved and signed.
12/03 REPORTS FROM THE CLERK ON BEHALF OF COMMITTEES :
A) FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES
See Report No 009/03 from Clerk, items 1 - 15
1. With reference to item 1, A-J: Annual Parish Meeting 8 April 2002/Questions raised from the floor/Clerk to report to February Meeting of Council
RESOLVED:
All matters raised have been acted upon or were directly answered at the meeting.
2. With reference to item 2: DBC Planning Enforcement/Council to compile a list of outstanding Enforcement Matters to present to DBC
Cllr Nobbs reported:
He has made progress in researching possible outstanding issues. It is understood that Fiona Moloney is now DBC Acting Head of Enforcement and will be reviewing matters not attended to.
RESOLVED:
Cllr Nobbs to advise the Clerk of neglected matters to raise with DBC Enforcement.
3. With reference to item 3: CPRE - Hertfordshire’s Village of the Year 2003 Competition
Cllr Nobbs reported:
The scope of the competition is the same as for last year but the application form has been greatly simplified.
RESOLVED:
Council to enter again this year specialising in the ‘Community’ category. The Village Warden and Common Ranger to be consulted on environmental matters needing attention.
Cllr Neil arrived at 8.20pm
4. With reference to item 4: Borough (Town/Parish) Elections 1 May 2003/DBC invitation for persons to officiate and pay scales
RESOLVED:
The Clerk now to hand details to Cllr Holliday with view to publication in Chipperfield News.
5. With reference to item 6: HCC ‘School Admissions for the School Year 2004-2005’ Consultation Document
RESOLVED:
Council to reply that they have no changes to propose.
6. With reference to item 7: Invitation to attend (CDA) Community Development Agency for Hertfordshire official opening of new premises 5 March 2003
RESOLVED:
Cllr Nichols to attend.
7. With reference to item 11: DEFRA - Protection of Countryside Features and Amendment of the Hedgerows Regulations 1997 - Consultation
RESOLVED:
This is a very technical issue. No response to be sent.
8. With reference to item 15: Hertfordshire Constabulary questionnaire ‘Your Local Police Working to Help You Feel Safer’
Cllr Nobbs reported:
This is addressed as a personal response to which he has replied taking into account views of the community.
9. With reference to Minutes of 13 January item 2: DBC ‘Changes to Refuse Collection in Dacorum Borough’
Cllr Nobbs reported he notes that Chipperfield has been listed in the first tranche of areas to be issued with wheeled bins for main streets. Side streets scheduled for 2005.
B) HIGHWAYS & ROAD SAFETY & PUBLIC TRANSPORT
See Report No 010/03 from Clerk, items 1 - 3
1. With reference to item 1: ‘Chipperfield Village Linking up Footpaths and Bikeways’ refer to APPENDIX ‘A’
The Clerk reported:
Current re-organisation of HCC Dacorum Highways Department has made progress on local issues difficult.
Cllr Nobbs reported:
Meggacres Farm have put forward an informal proposal for the Whippendell Hill bridleway to be extended to approximately Chipperfield Garage.
RESOLVED:
The Clerk to pursue a site meeting with HCC.
2. With reference to item 2: Long term parking outside retail outlets (Newsagent & Butcher shops)/DBC Planning site meeting 17 January 2003
Cllr Nobbs reported:
He attended the site meeting largely held to investigate car washing planning application at Chipperfield Garage. However, DBC Enforcement confirmed that under planning consents there were no requirements for Chipperfield Garage to provide on-site parking for employees.
RESOLVED:
Council to investigate means by which long term parking restrictions can be introduced fronting the shops.
Council should enlist the support of relevant Borough and District Councillors.
3. With reference to item 3: HCC ‘Rural Traffic and Transport Conference’ Summary
Cllr Carter reported:
Committee have fully studied the document and fully endorse its findings. Committee have no further comment to add.
C) OPEN SPACES & FOOTPATHS
See Report No 011/03 from Clerk, items 1 - 3
1. With reference to item 1: ‘Facilities for Youth in Chipperfield’ refer to APPENDIX ‘C’ - ‘Provision of a Youth Shelter in Chipperfield - a proposal’
Cllr Holliday reported:
This is her personal proposal. Time-scale to-date has not permitted opportunity for reference to Committee.
A shelter as proposed and installed elsewhere is estimated to cost in region of £2,000 - £3,000.
RESOLVED:
Council fully support and endorse further exploration of the proposal.
Cllr Holliday to consult with the local youth, for example on the ‘Croft Estate’, as to whether they approve the proposal, then report back to Council.
2. With reference to item 3 A-E Vandalism Report: A) - Bench Seat on grassed area near entrance to Nunfield, removed
The Clerk reported:
Ownership of the seat has been denied by HCC & DBC. Hence, it was previously repaired at CPC expense.
RESOLVED:
The seat to be replaced, but with firm anchoring, under CPC funding. Clerk to investigate costs.
D) ALLOTMENTS
See Report No 012/03 from Clerk, 1 item only
1. With reference to item 1: Report from Committee Chair
Cllr Holliday reported that the Clerk is investigating a suitable venue and date in April 2003 for the Annual Meeting of Allotment Tenants.
E) PLANNING
See Report No 013/03 from Clerk, items 1 - 3
13/03 PRELIMINARY ARRANGEMENTS FOR MONDAY 14 APRIL 2003 ANNUAL PARISH MEETING:
1. Cllr Nobbs reported:
The deadline for submission to Chipperfield News of the Annual Report and Committee Reports is 5 March 2003.
It is traditional to have a Guest Speaker and he proposes that representatives from Youth Activity groups be invited to give a brief address of say 5-10 minutes at the meeting, as very few of older residents are aware of their value and input to village life.
RESOLVED:
A) Chair of Committees to submit their draft reports to Cllr Nobbs by end February. Committee reports, and Annual Report, to be submitted to 10 March Meeting of Council.
B) Cllr Nobbs to pursue willingness of Youth activities to participate.
14/03 REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES:
A) YOUTH CLUB
Cllr Nichols reported:
The junior section is thriving with an average attendance of 53 per week.
Reports have been received of dogs being tied-up alone, close to the Youth Club and School, when parents visit the school. This is a potentially dangerous practice as animals can feel threatened by anyone approaching them and serious injuries could result and there are serious legal implications for the owners. Paul Hewetson, Chipperfield Common Ranger and also a Dog Trainer intends to publish a feature in March edition of Chipperfield News and also hopes to address children at the school.
There is to be a Special service at St Paul’s Church at which Paul Hewetson hopes to give a short talk about the Club; also staging a small exhibition.
All parents have been written to asking for better support from them for the Juniors’ Meetings.
The Christmas Disco was a great success. All children were sent a Christmas card and received a chocolate snowman.
The Accounts for year to 31 March 2002 have been audited and showing a slight excess of expenditure. Financial position however is satisfactory.
The annual electrical safety report is awaited.
12 new chairs have been purchased - with 12 more to come.
A new TV has been purchased and a Game Consul for which another TV is needed.
The Parish Council Village Warden, under PC contract, will be clearing back vegetation at the fences and clearing out gutters, and also ongoing half hour per week general ground maintenance.
C) SCHOOL GOVERNOR
Please refer to APPENDIX ‘B’, submitted by Cllr Wakeman.
D) CHIPPERFIELD CARE
In absence of Cllr Berners-Price, Cllr Nobbs reported the next meeting of Carers is to be held 12 February but due to illness she can’t attend. A volunteer Councillor would be welcome.
E) CHIPPERFIELD NEWS
Cllr Holliday reported that so far a replacement Advertising Manager has not been found.
15/03 CORRESPONDENCE
See Report No 014/03 from Clerk, 1 item only
16/03 REPORT OF THE CLERK
The Clerk reported:
Arthur Hirst our newly appointed Village Warden, commencing 6 January, has made an incredibly impressive start in such a short time and apart from the general duties of litter clearing has already carried out repairs to bus shelters and notice boards and many other tasks. The Clerk is most impressed and grateful.
17/03 PAYMENTS DUE,
INTERIM PAYMENTS MADE & INTERIM INCOME RECEIVED
See Report No 015/03 from Clerk
1. RESOLVED:
A) Payment of all items listed is approved. Payment cheques now to be signed in Council.
B) Interim payments made are noted.
C) Nil interim income is noted.
18/03 EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC
To consider passing a resolution in the following terms:
Under item 61 of Standing Orders 'That in view of the special nature of the business about to be transacted, it is advisable in the public interest that the public be temporarily excluded and they are instructed to withdraw'.
If members of the public were present during these items there would be disclosure to them of exempt information relating to:
Financial & Legal implications relating to a Lease Agreement; Financial implications relating to acting as intermediary in a grant application; Review of a Reserve Fund.
PART 2
19/03 TO CONSIDER AN APPLICATION FOR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ON LAND HELD BY THE PARISH COUNCIL.
20/03 TO CONSIDER PROGRESS AND ACTION ON A GRANT APPLICATION MADE BY THE PARISH COUNCIL ON BEHALF OF A LOCAL ORGANISATION.
21/03 TO REVIEW THE PURPOSE OF THE ‘VILLAGE PROTECTION RESERVE’.
See page 7 ONWARDS
Part 1 Meeting closed 9.50pm
Part 2 Meeting closed 10.15pm
DATE OF NEXT MEETING - Monday 10 March 2003.
Reports from Committees and Items for the Agenda to be received by the Clerk at least 7 days prior to this next meeting of Council