February 2008

Minutes of the meeting of Chipperfield Parish Council held in The Baptist Church meeting room, The Street, Chipperfield on Monday 11TH February 2008 at 8.00pm

Present Cllr M Bradshaw (Chairman), Cllr M Joseph, Cllr D Nobbs, Cllr Miss M Godwin Cllr M Jarrad, Cllr Mrs S Sims and Cllr P Southworth

______________________________________________________________________________________ The were no members of the public present

AGENDA: Part 1

024/08 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from J Deacon (Clerk) due to annual leave.
Agreed and accepted by all. All agreed

025/08 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Cllr Nobbs declared a personal interest in Allotment issues.
Cllr Joseph declared a personal interest in Youth Club issues. Noted

026/07 ELECTION OF CO-OPTED MEMBER
Susan Fowler gave a brief presentation about her interest in being co-opted as a councillor.
It was voted that the election for co-option be carried out by a raise of hands. Susan Fowler was unanimously Co-opted onto Chipperfield Parish Council. All agreed

027/07 DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE
Susan Fowler, newly elected Councillor, signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office in the presence of the Chairman and joined the rest of her colleague to complete the agenda. Noted

028/07 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS FROM CO-OPTED MEMBER
None. Noted

029/08 MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
Minutes of the meeting held on 14th January 2008 were signed by the Chairman as a correct record after minor amendments were made.
Proposed Cllr Joseph and Seconded Cllr Godwin All agreed

030/08 MATTERS ARISING FROM THOSE MINUTES
None Noted

EX – AGENDA
None Noted

FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSE
031/08 REPORT FROM WORKING GROUP CHAIRMAN
It was reported that many of the previously outstanding issues had now been completed, F&GP are now able to focus on:-
1. Clerk’s Contract of Employment. Copy of the revised contract, incorporating recommended revisions. The section regarding gratuity to be checked and reviewed for subsequent signatures by both parties.
2. Welcome Pack for new residents in the Village. In view of other priorities it was suggested this item would be postponed indefinitely.
3. Parish Council Surgeries. It was suggested to ask Councillors for further ideas regarding engagement with our community.
4. Fidelity Insurance. Review recommendation by our external auditors to increase coverage level.
5. Freedom of Information Act. The Chipperfield draft will be circulated for comment shortly, after initial review. Noted

032/08 CONTINGENCY FUND LEVELS
The reasons behind setting the levels of contingency funds held in reserve were explained.

Issues surrounding the village clock were discussed. The clock is jointly owned by CPC and the owner of No 1 Old School Cottages. CPC needs to establish the responsibility for the parts of the clock it owns. All agreed

The target levels have now been set out, current levels in contingency funds and any shortfall to be reported. This has been incorporated into a Policy Document and it was Resolved to adopt the document on the understanding that it will be reviewed on an annual basis around September time before the budget setting process.
Proposed by Cllr Southworth and Seconded by Cllr Joseph All agreed

033/08 GRANT TO YOUTH CLUB
It was reported that additional plans were still required for the youth club project, as there is a shortfall of funding for the lowest quote. This would need to be resolved before the grant can be given. All agreed

034/08 ALLOTMENT RESTORATION PROJECT
A&OS would need to obtain satisfactory estimates for work on the allotment restoration.
It was agreed, in principle, that a sum of £10,000 will come from reserves to fund this project initially. A Letter is to be drafted to Tenants advising them of progress, implications and requesting their co-operation.
Proposed Cllr Godwin and seconded Cllr Southworth All agreed

PLANNING
035/08 REPORT FROM WORKING GROUP CHAIRMAN
The enforcement issues were updated.

036/08 HERTFORDSHIRE MINERALS AND WASTE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK CONSULTATION
It was reported that there are no sites identified within the Parish but sites had been identified in Bovingdon (2 sites) and one at the gravel workings at Great Westwood, Chandlers Cross. It was recommended that a reply is forwarded by the Clerk confirming same.
Proposed Cllr Jarrad and seconded Cllr Sims All agreed
037/08 NEW FORMAT PLANNING APPLICATION FORMS
Following a request from DBC to discuss the new planning application format, it was recommended that
1) Photographs of listed buildings be taken and included in planning applications.
2) Flood risk assessment to be applied to non listed buildings as well as listed ones.
It was agreed to reply to DBC with the above.
Proposed Cllr Jarrad and seconded Cllr Sims All agreed

038/07 PLANNING APPLICATIONS & RESULTS
All of the following recommendations given by the Planning group were accepted by Full council, except where stated.-
04/0307/07/FUL Chipperfield Business Park Continued use of land for parking two hydraulic platforms Business Park, Tower Hill and trailer
Chipperfield
Chipperfield Parish Council opposes this application
The applicant is in effect seeking the removal of one of the conditions which was laid down when permission was given in 1997 for the use of Unit 4 at the so-called 'Chipperfield Business Park' for storage and distribution and Unit 5 for storage and distribution with ancillary offices and which he has been disregarding for some years. He pleads 2 special circumstances for this:
1. The need to park hydraulic platforms here for his business.
2. The claim that long usage has been established.
Both these claims are specious. In the first case, the vehicles for his business do not have to be parked in an area within the Green Belt, where they have been specifically prohibited from parking and where they cause a nuisance to neighbours.
Secondly, the assertion that there has been storage of hydraulic platforms in this location for over 13 years is simply not true, as is attested by the previous owner.
The Council therefore considers that this application has no merit and strongly hopes that it will be rejected.

04/03156/07/FHA 12 Croft Lane Single storey rear extension and front porch
Chipperfield
Chipperfield Parish Council supports this application, subject to it not breaching rules for light availability to the neighbouring property.
The scale of the rear extension and front porch and their appearance are satisfactory. There is one point, which is difficult to read from the plans and this concerns the effect that the rear extension might have on restricting the light available for the rear downstairs window of No. 14. Provided that this is within prescribed limits, we have no other concerns regarding the proposed development.

04/00064/08/FHA 94 Scatterdells Lane New roof gable, porch and alterations to create chalet Chipperfield bungalow
Chipperfield Parish Council opposes this application.
The property has already been subject to substantial extension and the applicant is now proposing to increase its floor space by nearly a half. This is entirely contrary to Policy 22 and would create a building which would be over dominant in its environment

04/00150/08/FUL Land adj to Kilve, Rebuild existing storage and erect five bar gate to
Megg Lane, Chipperfield existing entrance

Chipperfield Parish Council supports this application.
The present storage shed on this site is dilapidated and an eyesore. We see only benefits in having it rebuilt to the same footprint and height, provided that there are conditions that it is only used for agricultural storage and that no commercial operations are conducted there.
The gates are in keeping with this semi-rural road.

OPEN SPACES AND ALLOTMENTS
039/08 REPORT FROM WORKING GROUP CHAIRMAN
It was reported that many of the previously outstanding issues had now been completed, OS&A are now able to focus on:-
1 Green Flag Status – Common Management Plan received and comments drafted for consideration/ discussion. Additional comments on plan to be submitted in order to draft a letter to DBC.
2 Disability Act – To be investigated as to it’s relevance within the woodland area and a legal interpretation to be provided
3 Village Design Plan - After discussion with HAPTC, it was suggested CPC should consider developing the principle of the current Village Design Plan into a comprehensive Village Plan.
4 Woods to be thinned by Windmill Hill and tree canopy to be thinned over chestnuts in the woods by DBC. Clerk to chase
5 Common Management News Letter (including guided walk details) – DBC agreed to prepare. Clerk to chase
6 Allotment management software package - Ongoing
7 Pill Pond: Meeting Held at the Pond with DBC, CMS and Liz Holliday. Awaiting suggestions from DBC and CMS
8 Wooden bollards opposite Blackwells - DBC have agreed to install timber bollards to protect the damaged verge
9 Dunny Lane footpath – To remind DBC it is to be included in Common management Plan.
10 Waste Bins: Notices on food waste. - Permanent engraved notices required - “All food waste here, Thank you”
11 Village grave yard requirements – Initial discussion with DBC for preliminary view of options.
12 Management of Common Ranger: - Currently under review
Noted

040/08 FOOTPATH 10
It was reported that CPC were not consulted or informed on the changes to footpath 10 and it was noted that CPC were unhappy with the lack of communication and that a letter is to be sent to DBC with a copy to Cllr Roberts. All agreed

HIGHWAYS, ROAD SAFETY AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT
041/08 REPORT FROM WORKING GROUP CHAIRMAN
Further to the successful submission of the 2007 Roads Report and the subsequent cleaning of the Gullies by the Partner Contractor, CPC passed a supplementary report to Highways, showing gullies which were still blocked. Highways went away to try to ascertain why the work had not been completed and what recovery action was proposed Noted

042/08 DfT BUS PASSENGER CONSULTATION
A brief description was given of the Bus Passenger Consultation from the Department for Transport.
It was suggested that the document be circulated so full council can agree a response if any, at the next meeting. All agreed

043/08 GULLEY RE-INSPECTION
This matter was discussed at the recent Highway meeting and details of gullies still blocked after the cleansing were forwarded to them. They will investigate and arrange for completion. Clerk to chase. All agreed

044/08 GRASS VERGES – DAMAGE
It was reported that two reports of damage to verges in different locations in the Parish had been made Windmill Hill/The Common and verges on Langley Road between Alexandra Road and Courtaulds, but it was observed that there are many other areas of concern in the Parish. The damage reported has been caused either by large vehicles needing room to manoeuvre or vehicles parking on the grass verges. It was agreed that in the first instance an article be placed into Chipperfield news requesting residents and businesses assist the PC in the interests of protecting the grass verges. All agreed

YOUTH AND EDUCATION
045/08 REPORT FROM WORKING GROUP CHAIRMAN
It was discussed that St Paul’s School had now gained planning permission for the new classrooms. It was noted that St Paul’s need to raise 50% of the amount to fund the building of the classrooms. Although CPC may not be able to help with these costs it was suggested that the school apply for a grant for other items that may be associated with the new classrooms. Noted

The issue of strengthening public relations between CPC and the public is still being investigated.
It was suggested that CPC have stalls at local functions and Councillors attend these to promote public relations. All Agreed

Council was asked to support “Dacorum Playdays” which engages with the youth of rural villages. It was noted that 6 free session would be offered by DBC thanks to a grant they had received, to include a climbing wall. It was agreed that this should be during the summer holidays in order for all children to have access. DBC will report further nearer the time. All agreed

046/08 CLERKS NOTICES
None

047/08 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
It was RESOLVED that accounts amounting to £1,811.69 be signed for payment.
Proposed Cllr Nobbs and Seconded Cllr Joseph All agreed

048/08 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
None

049/08 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is on Monday 10th March 2008 at 8.00pm in the Baptist Church meeting room.