February 2004
Minutes of the Meeting of Chipperfield Parish Council, held in ‘The Upper Room’ at St. Paul’s Church extension, Chipperfield, on Monday 9 February 2004 at 8.00pm
Before commencement of the meeting, Council and members of the public sat in silence for one minute out of respect and in memory of Councillor John Nichols who died in January having served as a Councillor since 1967.
PRESENT: Councillor Miss EA Holliday (Chairman)
Councillor MD Joseph (Vice-Chairman)
Councillors: J Carter, MJD Jarrad, Mrs BA Berners-Price; with J Pringle (Clerk) in attendance.
Also in attendance as observers:
Councillors R Roberts and G Adeleke; Community Police Officer Bob Healy and Police Community Support Officer Kim Ashworth, and one member of the public.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE; were submitted on behalf of Councillors DJ Nobbs and Mrs RV Wakeman; and Cllr M Joseph for expected late attendance.
01/04 THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 8 DECEMBER: were approved and signed.
02/04 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mr Bradshaw outlined in detail the ongoing problems of drainage and seasonal flooding in Scatterdells Lane.
03/04 REPORTS FROM BOROUGH & COUNTY COUNCILLORS
Cllr Roberts drew attention of the meeting to the Regional Assembly (6 Counties) proposals for 72,000 new houses and that Central Government are proposing a higher figure; implications for building on Greenfield sites are alarming.
Works to gullies and road markings within Dacorum said by HCC Highways to have been completed but clearly not the case raises serious questions as to whether work is being paid for but not carried out.
Cllr Adeleke advised the meeting that some villages are already planning their defence against being affected by the housing targets - a point worth bearing in mind.
04/04 TO RECEIVE ‘DECLARATION OF INTERESTS’ FROM MEMBERS
Cllr Jarrad declared a non prejudicial and non financial interest in a Grant Application in Agenda Part 2.
05/04 PUBLIC AUDIT OF ACCOUNTS; ANNUAL RETURN FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2003
A) To receive copy of Section 4, Annual Internal Audit Report as signed by Internal Auditor. Refer to Appendix ‘E’.
RESOLVED:
The report of the Internal Auditor is noted.
B) To receive and approve copy of Section 1, The Statement of Accounts. Refer to Appendix ‘E’.
RESOLVED:
The Statement of Accounts is approved for signature in Council.
The Statement of Accounts was signed in Council by the RFO (Clerk) and by the Chairman.
The Statement of Accounts was accompanied by Bank Reconciliation @ 31/03/03 as previously signed in Council, and by a Quantified Explanation of any significant variances over 15% on previous year, and Statement of Total Financial Assets - as all these are required for submission at Audit. Refer to Appendix ‘F’.
C) To receive and approve copy of Section 2, Statement of Assurance. Refer to Appendix ‘E’.
RESOLVED:
The Statement of Assurance is approved for signature in Council.
The Statement of Assurance was signed in Council by the Clerk and by the Chairman.
06/04 REPORTS FROM THE CLERK ON BEHALF OF COMMITTEES :
A) FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES
See Report No 001/04 from Clerk, items 1 - 7
1. With Reference to item 1: The website www.chipperfield.org.uk
RESOLVED:
CPC Chairman to write to Mr Russ Evans thanking him for his services as webmaster.
2. With Reference to item 2B: Affordable Housing. Refer to Appendix ‘A’
RESOLVED:
Cllr Nobbs be asked to discuss with DBC the possibility of increasing the number of housing units by relocation of some of the garages. Consideration should also be given to garage dimensions matching modern cars.
3. With Reference to item 3: Replacement of Village Warden’s Van
RESOLVED:
Council thank the Clerk for his efforts in finding this good replacement.
4. With Reference to item 4: ‘Vacancy in Office of Parish Councillor’
RESOLVED:
Unless after the placing of the obligatory public notice 10 or more members of the public write in to DBC asking for an election, then Council wish to fill the vacancy by co-option. Members to advise Chairman as soon as possible of any known suitable candidates willing to serve.
5. With reference to item 5: DBC Parish/Borough Liaison Meeting 7.30pm 13 April 2004
RESOLVED:
Volunteers to attend to advise Clerk by next meeting of Council.
6. With reference to item 7: HATPC Councillor Induction Training Course attended by Cllr Jarrad. Refer to Appendix ‘C’ from Cllr Jarrad.
Cllr Jarrad further reported his surprise at the lack of information regarding the benefits to be derived from ‘Quality Status’ of a Council.
The Clerk reported that to date the opinion of local Clerks seems to be that except for very large Councils any advantages are only likely to be cosmetic as has been the outcome of the largely ineffective Parish Charter.
RESOLVED:
Intention to strive for Quality Status to be reviewed annually.
B) HIGHWAYS & ROAD SAFETY & PUBLIC TRANSPORT
See Report No 002/04 from Clerk, items 1 - 4
1. With reference to item 1: Proposed Jasmine Safety Track, Langley Road
Cllr Holliday reported:
She wished to congratulate Tina Robinson who to-date has secured £6K funding and now at the point of getting a second estimate for scrub clearing. HCC have questioned whether a track had previously existed but there is now proof of its existence in the 70’s - 80’s.
One resident is opposed to the scheme.
2. With reference to item 2: Highway Drainage Maintenance in Scatterdells Lane
RESOLVED:
Council fully support the efforts of Mr Mike Bradshaw of Scatterdells Lane to secure from HCC Highways an assurance of a biannual budgeted full maintenance programme - once in Spring and once in Autumn. The Clerk, on behalf of Council, to write to HCC Highways to this effect.
3. With reference to item 3: Proposal for Parking Restrictions in Chapel Croft (vicinity Brit News/Butchers) and The Common (frontage at Two Brewers)
RESOLVED:
A) Council will continue to have placed by its Village Warden traffic cones (purchased by Council) at frontage of The Two Brewers. So far these measures have proved almost 100% effective and with minimal loss of stock of cones by theft/vandalism.
B) The Clerk to write to Alec Heywood - Assistant District Manager, HCC Highways, asking for implementation of restricted vehicle waiting times, for 3 or 4 standard car lengths, outside the retail outlets and in the parking bay opposite.
4. With reference to item 4: Proposal for Highways Inspection by Councillors
Cllr Holliday reported that she had divided the village into zones, each zone allocated to one councillor for reporting on the state of the highway within it, gullies in particular, and for return of findings by end February 2004. Report sheets supplied. A comprehensive report would then be compiled and sent to HCC Highways.
RESOLVED:
Approved.
C) OPEN SPACES & FOOTPATHS
See Report No 003/04 from Clerk, items 1 - 2
1. With reference to item 1: Chipperfield Woodland Management work to compartments 5 & 6 during early February
Cllr Holliday reported that this work within the 5 year management plan is almost completed and all wood chippings used as surfacing to woodland paths.
2. With reference to item 2: Filming in Chipperfield Village/Proposal to register with Herts Filmlink
Cllr Holliday proposed that Council register with the organisation with a view to deriving increased financial benefit from filming activity in the village.
RESOLVED:
Approved. Cllr Holliday to pursue further.
D) ALLOTMENTS
See Report No 004/04 from Clerk, 1 item only
1. With reference to item 1: Application by Junior Football Club for extra allotment plots for Astra Turf Pitch
Cllr Holliday reported on a recent letter received from the Chairman of Chipperfield Corinthians Youth Football Club.
Council had previously approved in principle the construction of an Astra Turf pitch which would occupy 4 vacant allotment plots and would be in a line continuous with the Tennis Court.
This latest application is for a pitch extending well into allotment field and occupying the space equivalent to 12 allotment plots. Cllr Holliday circulated a diagram showing the areas of the new and the previous proposals. The new proposal would require an area representing approximately one quarter of Allotment Field.
Council also discussed the terms of the Deeds relating to Allotment Field and that this new proposal would contravene the Deeds.
RESOLVED:
A) The new application be refused.
B) Council would maintain for 3 months its previous offer, in principle, for an Astra Turf pitch. After this time the plots would again be offered for letting.
The Clerk to write to the Club Chairman with Council’s decision.
E) PLANNING
See Report No 005/04 from Clerk, items 1 - 3
1. With reference to item 2: Report from Planning Committee Appendix ‘B’ item 2 - Proposed Orange Telecom Mast
RESOLVED:
Recommendations to DBC are delegated to Committee.
07/04 REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES:
G) HERTFORDSHIRE’S VILLAGE OF THE YEAR SUB-COMMITTEE
In the absence of Cllr Nobbs, the Clerk reported that entry forms for 2004 competition were received 15 January by e-mail and forwarded to Cllr Nobbs.
08/04 CORRESPONDENCE
See Report No 006/04 from Clerk.
09/04 REPORT OF THE CLERK
The Clerk reported he had nothing further to add to his published reports.
10/04 PAYMENTS DUE,
INTERIM PAYMENTS MADE & INTERIM INCOME RECEIVED
See Report No 007/04 from Clerk
The Clerk reported that all payments due to date are fully paid and fully scrutinised and approved by F&GP Committee.
11/04 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 proposed expenditure by Council.
RESOLVED:
Approved.
12/04 RESOLUTION UNDER STANDING ORDER No 73
Chairman of Council proposed that this meeting be extended to 10.30pm at latest in order to attend to some remaining urgent items of business under Part 2 Agenda
RESOLVED:
Approved.
Part 1 Meeting closed 10.06pm
Part 2 Meeting closed 10.30pm
NEXT MEETING - Monday 8 March 2004, 2.00pm
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