February 2006
13th February 2006 at 8.00pm
Present Councillor Miss E.A Holliday (Chairman), Cllr M Joseph
Cllr M Bradshaw, Cllr J Carter, and Cllr M Jarrad, Cllr Mrs R Wakeman
AGENDA: Part 1
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Cllr Mrs B Berners-Price,
Cllr Nobbs and Borough/County Cllr R Roberts.
PC Heley and PCSO Ashworth were unable to attend but informed us that we would be receiving the help of 3 special constables to patrol the area.
2 TO CONFIRM MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 9TH JANUARY. Item 003/06 should read “30 million by 2020”
3 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Cllr Rafferty and Cllr Angiolini attended on behalf of Kings Langley Parish Council to discuss the proposed new footpaths to join our two parishes with via Whippendell Hill. CPC reported that after successful negotiations with the Landowner, Kings Langley Parish Council, Countryside Management and Herts Legal department the papers required for the new footpath had been drawn up and circulated prior to this meeting for agreement. Cllr Rafferty and Cllr confirmed their approval to these and would be keen to adopt them. All Cllrs agreed that these were in order. It was confirmed that these papers would be offered to the landowner and subject to minor amendments would be signed. All agreed
4 TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM BOROUGH AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS PRESENT
5 DECLARATION OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS
In respect of neighbouring planning applications due to be heard: - Cllr Carter for The Olde Barn and Cllr Jarrad for The Pale Farm
6 REPORTS FROM WORKING PARTIES
A Finance and General Purposes-
017/06 3rd Qtr Spending vs. budget – bank reconciliation
Clerk produced the most recent account details as was confident we should complete the year end without any concerns. All agreed.
018/06legal Support/requirements – meeting HAPTC
It was reported that after a successful meeting with HAPTC it was clear that we still need further investigation into the level of legal support available, suggestions were raised regarding the Freedom of Information and Data Protection Act. Clerk to liaise with DBC for further advice.
019/06 John Nichols Memorial Prize
It was reported that the 30 entries produced by the pupils of St Paul’s School titled “A walk back in time through Chipperfield Village” had been judged and the prizes of book tokens totalling £50 were awarded during assembly on 3rd February by the Cllr Holliday, Mrs Mary Nobbs and Mrs Nichols. It was reported that the standard was extremely high and informative. Chair thanked Mary Nobbs for all of her help in this project. 10 children shared the top three prizes with 4 children being awarded high commended certificates and the remaining 16 children all received certificates for their work.
020/06 Outstanding/ongoing items
1. Licensing
No problems reported.
3 PCSO
No further information had been received regarding the proposal of new PCSOs.
4 Fire Service.
No further information.
5. Revise Standing Orders and add new approved orders
6. Prepare Risk Assessment
Awaiting recommendations from F&GP.
B Highways, Road Safety and Public Transport
021/06 Road and Footway surfaces
Clerk confirmed she had received a report from a resident over the poor state of some of the footways. Clerk states after liaising with Highways it appears that all footways are checked annually and repairs made, they could not however inform us when this should take place. Clerk advised should anyone wish to report to her hazardous footways then Highways would act on each case. Cllrs to inform clerk of any particular footways they feel are hazardous. Clerk reported that the road surfaces are part of an ongoing 4 year project subject to funding and although Chipperfield are on the list they are currently not near the top. Again any hazardous situations to be reported to clerk
022/06 Local Transport Plan
It was recommended we base our reply on the following:-
Links with Herts. Highways
In rural areas in particular, it is important to ensure that it is safe to stand at bus stops and be reasonably free from mud and water which may be thrown up by passing traffic, particularly buses. The lack of routinely cleaning out drains in our area means it is unsafe to stand at some bus stops due to puddles of water and on cold days, ice. We suggest to the Transport Planners that their intentions for better transport provisions can be ruined by poor road and drains maintenance and we would urge them most strongly to come to an understanding with their colleagues in Highways to produce an integrated plan which includes the regular maintenance of drains and roads.
Canals and Cyclists
Canals in this country are a wonderful asset to the community and we note with interest the section on cycling and canals. Anything that can be done to preserve
canals and tow-paths for the enjoyment and use of the Community should be encouraged. We are concerned that access for cyclists needs careful planning and not quick fixes such as ramps which could aggravate one problem whilst solving another. The tow-paths are narrow and walkers and cycles, most without bells, do not mix well. We are not in favour of banning cyclists but we believe the issue warrants further attention of the planners and careful integration with the canal authorities.
023/06 Outstanding/ongoing items
Luton Airport Expansion
It was reported that after attending the presentation by Luton Airport on 18th January the options offered are Option 1:- extend existing which would require 15m m3 of infill to be delivered by HGV for 2 years Option 2:- New runway parallel with the existing one, the existing runway is 2160m and option 2 would be 3000m . The number of flights would increase from 60k to 240k by 2030. It was clear they are highly interested in option 2. It was agreed that we would monitor and input where possible regarding any implication to traffic and noise etc to Chipperfield.
Tower Hill Footpath
The new footway had now been completed and appears to work well, although clerk received concerns over possible problems during bad weather and the problems already obvious by large vehicles unlawfully parking outside the Kia garage, causing damage to the verge. Clerk to liaise with Highways over possible solutions.
Langley Road Flooding
Clerk to chase Highways for a date for work to commence. In the meantime all flooding to be reported by clerk as an emergency
Gullies
Cllrs to report to clerk any outstanding that are blocked
024/06 Planning applications for Jan/Feb 2006
04/00087/06/FHA The Olde Barn, Megg Lane, Single Storey Side Extension (amended scheme) Cllr Carter declared an interest in this application and did not take part in discussions or decisions.
The council had no objection to this application
04/00121/06/RET Units 4&5 Chipperfield Business Park, Tower Hill – Use of light industrial workshop (B1) use
Chipperfield strongly opposes this application which appears the same as previous 04/01440/05/RET because:
1 This Green Belt Area is entirely unsuitable for Industrial use. (To the best of our knowledge, it has only been sanctioned for use for horticultural and allied uses, fruit storage and offices).
2 It is unsuitable for heavy vehicle use and parking (the current owner is already in breach of the planning conditions of 4/002222244//98/RET regarding the parking of
vehicles near the boundary of the site and the requirement to erect a barrier to prevent this).
3. The use of the site for metal spraying and the storage of diesel fuel gives rise to health and safety concerns.
04/00138/06/LDP The Olde Barn, Megg Lane – Detached garage/store (amended) )
Chipperfield Parish Council cannot give a qualified opinion on the lawfulness or otherwise of this proposed development. However, it would be very disappointed were there deemed to be the right to erect such a mundane looking building at this key site, which closes off the top end of Megg Lane. Could we also be assured should this be authorised that this building could/should never be changed into a dwelling as previous.
04/00143/06/LBC The Pale Farm, The Street – Replacement fence and new wall
Cllr Jarrad declared and interest in this application and did not take part in discussions or decisions.
Chipperfield Parish Council opposes this application as the fencing is of an excessive height and not in keeping with the character and appearance of the area and does not reflect our village design statement. We also feel that the creation of a wall using flint panels not raw materials will also affect the appearance of this property and have a negative effect on this listed building.
0400144/06/FHA The Pale Farm., The Street – Replacement fence and new wall
Cllr Jarrad declared and interest in this application and did not take part in discussions or decisions.
Chipperfield Parish Council opposes this application as the fencing is of an excessive height and not in keeping with the character and appearance of the area and does not reflect our village design statement. We also feel that the creation of a wall using flint panels not raw materials will also affect the appearance of this property.
025/06 Planning Report -Herts County Council Waste Site Selection Study
As a first step in developing a new Waste Development Plan, the County Council has circulated a document showing a preliminary list of 37 sites within the county where waste management facilities might be located and has asked for: (i) Comments on any known to us regarding their suitability, availability and sustainability.(ii) Suggestions for any other suitable locations. The nearest sites to Chipperfield that they have suggested to be considered are at Bovingdon Brickworks, Bovingdon Airfield and Kings Langley Depot, the first of these has already been included in the existing Waste Development Plan. The other two are being suggested for the first time. This is still a very early stage in the process of developing the plan and there will be at least two further consultations once the selection of potential sites for more detailed analysis has been made. Our main concern would be to ensure that the selection of one of these sites would not generate any additional heavy traffic through the village. It is felt that, as previously, we can make adequate comment on this aspect of the plan when we know which sites are to be finally considered. No response was therefore made to the HCC letter, the deadline for which was 31 January.
026/06 Outstanding/ongoing tasks
Car Park sign – The two Brewers
Clerk had still not received a reply from The Spirit Group, she would contact once more to resolve this matter with their support if not then she go directly to DBC Planning.
D Open Spaces and Footpaths
0027/06Whipendell Hill – Agreement Papers
See item 3
028/06 DBC Vision 2020
It was reported that both the Chair and Clerk attended a presentation by DBC regarding the regeneration of Hemel Hempstead. It was reported to be informative although it was unclear whether there would be any further consultation in this matter. Clerk to update CPC with any further information.
029/06 Car Park requirements
It was suggested that we may need to look at the possibility of further car parking space for residents and visitors and could the Cllrs suggest of any suitable areas. After discussion it was decided that this matter should be postponed for further discussion should the matter become a more serious problem.
030/06 Outstanding/ongoing items
1 Footpath Dunny Lane
It was confirmed that the landowner had installed a gate on his field to allow the installation of the kissing gate.
2 New bins – Croft Estate
Clerk confirmed she had arranged a meeting with DBC to discuss the installation of new bins on the Croft Estate
3 War memorial Plaques Ongoing
4 Wildlife interpretation board Ongoing
5 Pill Pond Ongoing
E Allotments
031/06 Outstanding/ongoing item
Clerk confirmed that we had written to both tenants who had not cleared their plots to do so by the 1st March or we would offer their plots to the waiting list. She confirmed that both parties had agreed to complete this.
7 Reports from representatives of outside bodies
032/06
a) Youth Club
It was reported that the new junior club was doing well with approx 20 members at present.
b) Village Hall
c) School Governor
It was reported that due to government changes it was unlikely that members of Parish Councils would be allowed to attend school meetings with effect from September. Further information currently being sought by Clerk
d) Chipperfield News
e) Chipperfield Care
8 Correspondence
033/06 Various
Clerk distributed new consultation/information papers relating to:-
The launch of the Hertfordshire Policing Plan. It was agreed that a Cllr would attend on our behalf.
9 Accounts for payment
034/06 Schedule of payments
Clerk submitted a Schedule of Accounts to be certified for payment and it was RESOLVED that accounts totalling £2343.13 be confirmed and certified for payment.
10 Date of next Meeting
Monday 13th March 2006
11 Future administration/IT of CPC
035/06 Warden Report/communication
036/06 Meeting with HAPTC
Cllr Bradshaw reported that he had attended a very helpful and informative meeting with HAPTC many items were suggested as initiatives for discussion by the council:-
Quality Council Accreditation Scheme
Website of the year award
Council of the Year award
Clerk of the year award
Communications (news-letter) Grant
Clerk’s training and Bursary scheme.
Due to time constraints these matters we briefly discussed and agreed they would be dealt with at the next meeting
037/06 IT report/administration
Due to time constraints and as F&GP had not yet met this item would be dealt with at the next meeting
038/06 Ongoing/outstanding items