July 2004
Minutes of the meeting of Chipperfield Parish Council held in the Upper Room at St Paul’s Church extension, Chipperfield, on Monday 12 July 2004 at 8.00pm
PRESENT: Councillor Miss EA Holliday (Chairman)
Councillors MW Bradshaw, J Carter, M Joseph, DJ Nobbs, Mrs RV Wakeman
County/Borough Councillor R Roberts was present as an observer.
At 8.00pm before commencement of the meeting Coomunity Police Support Officer Kim Ashworth introduced a new colleague CPSO Sharon Renshaw who will be covering King’s Langley. She then gave a short report on the latest crime statistics for Chipperfield. Since the June Parish Council meeting, there had been 3 thefts from motor vehicles compared with 1 in the previous month, 1 burglary (compared with 3) and 1 case of criminal damage compared with 5. Village Day had been a most enjoyable day and everything went well as far as police support was concerned.
Also before the start of the meeting was a statement by Mr Graham Price, Managing Director of Chipperfield Garage, to outline his plans to alleviate roadside parking problems in the village caused by his staff and to give the Parish Council the opportunity of questioning him about them prior to submission for planning permission. He proposes to create a staff car park for 30 cars on a strip of land approximately 80 metres long and 7 metres deep alongside the hedge in Kings Lane on land which Mr Saunders would be prepared to make available to him..
Following questioning by councillors on existing staff parking provision at the Garage and on the proposed surfacing and appearance of the car parking, the Chairman thanked Mr Price for bringing his proposals to the Parish Council at an early stage.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: were submitted by Cllrs Mrs B Berners-Price and MJD Jarrad. Also from Borough Councillor G Adeleke for not being present as an observer.
61/04 THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 14 JUNE 2004: were approved, subject to amendment of the resolution to item 4 of the Finance and General Purposes Report, which should read ‘Committee to request BT to disconnect, but leave the box in situ’, and signed.
62/04 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: None.
63/04 REPORT FROM BOROUGH AND COUNTY COUNCILLOR
Cllr Richard Roberts reported on the following matters:
Housing: Eastern Region has called for 74,00 new houses in Hertfordshire in the period up to 2016, plus a percentage of the 15,000 planned for the M11 Corridor. This is 30-40% more than the County Council feels should be built and urgent studies are in hand to respond to the Region’s demands.
Police Community Support Officers: We should consider ourselves fortunate in having two in our area, as there are currently only 12 in the whole county.
Recycling: This has now reached a level of 46% in Dacorum areas where there are wheelie bins. The new Waterdale Waste Site will open on July 30
Replacing the one at Hunton Bridge, which will close on August 1.
Dacorum Car Parking Attendant Policy: This is deemed to be a success with revenues higher than expected.
Hertfordshire Highways: Nothing to report regarding work in Chipperfield.
64/04 DECLARATION OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS
None.
65/04 REPORTS ON BEHALF OF COMMITTEES
A) FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES
See report 29/04
1. Ref item 1: Allotment Field
Resolved by Special Resolution:
To rescind the decision to lodge an appeal against the Allotment field being registered as common land for purposes of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.
2. Ref report on Village Clock
Resolved
As the first step in a comprehensive set of actions to set up to resolve the various problems, to ask the Whitechapel Bell Foundry to come and provide estimates for reducing the vibrations caused to the structure of Old School Cottages by the striking of the bell.
3. Parish Map
The Chairman reported that the estimated cost of the 6x4 ft Parish Map in the Village Hall was £1000 plus £100 for the frame. The cost of the 200 maps for sale, of which only 193 had been supplied) was £709.24. Two had been framed for promotional purposes at a cost of £100 and 200 poster tubes for
protecting them had cost £181.04. There were still expenses to be claimed for the materials used in producing the maps.
62 maps had been sold up to 12 July leaving a further 37 to be sold to cover costs. No complimentary copies have yet been distributed.
4. Balloons on Village day
The Chairman reported that the balloon race on Village Day had not been a financial success. against revenue of £90, the gas and balloons had cost £270.25, making a loss of £180.25. 975 balloons were remaining. We would rduce the loss to £141.25 if we were to sell them all at 4p each.
Resolved
To endeavour to sell the remaining balloons a t 4p each.
5. BT Phone Box on The Common
The Chairman reported that Cllr Carter had ascertained that BT would not
Leave the phone box unconnected and that for the Parish Council to purchase it would cost £2000 plus insurance and maintenance.
Resolved: To take no further action regarding the phone box.
B) HIGHWAYS
1. Linking Footpaths
The Chairman said that Council’s proposals had been sent to Alan Cartmel on June 6 and there had been no response.
Resolved:
To delegate to members of the Highways Committee the responsibility to take the plan forward. With County Councillor Roberts support, they will focus to start with on two priority areas:
1. A footpath from the end of the former council houses in Dunny Lane to Windmill Hill
2. Clearing a space for a path alongside the road between Blackwells and Queen Street.
2. Drains
Cllr Bradshaw reported success in getting Hertfordshire Highways to clear the long blocked borehole near his home in Scatterdells Lane. This had been the result of continual prodding of the Authority. His aim now was to ensure a regular maintenance schedule is provided and adhered to
Cllr Carter reported that all other drains in the village were blocked and that no action had been taken on the council’s report to this effect.
Resolved:
To maintain pressure to get this work done, focussing on key areas.
3. Speed Gun
The Chairman reported that PC Bob Heley had arranged a demonstration of a speed warning device at the Cricket Club car park at 2pm on 14 July. However, Councillors expressed disappointment that this would not have the deterrent effect of a speed gun.
Resolved:
To ask the Parish Clerk to contact his counterpart in a parish where they have had use of a speed gun to seek their views on its effectiveness.
4. Village Audit
Cllr Carter reported that of the many outstanding items, the Highways Committee recommend urgent action on the poor drainage in Langley Road where dangerously large puddles remain on the road in the area of the telegraph pole.
Resolved:
To continue to express our concern until action is taken. The Chairman to write a letter to Martin Stagg, Quadrant Manager, expressing our disappointment that no action has been taken on our Audit Report that his department had commended and requesting that budgetary provision be made for work in Chipperfield in his forthcoming budget plans.
5. Verge in Tower Hill (Scatterdells Lane – The Boot)
The Chairman reported that following the complaint of a resident, this footpath had been cleared of long foliage by the Borough Council at the request of Hertfordshire Highways.
6. 30 mph Signs in Scatterdells Lane and opposite the Boot.
It was reported that these have been vandalised. The Chairman will pursue.
C) OPEN SPACES AND FOOTPATHS
1. Parish Paths Partnership
The PPP authorities have confirmed that although we missed the deadline for applying for this year’s grant owing to the Clerk’s illness, we have been allocated our basic allowance.
2. Horse Track in Langley Road
The Chairman stated that the construction of this track was delayed from its planned spring timing due to problems raised by Mr Gould. Now it has been passed to Alex Hayward to implement. It has been ‘pencilled in’ for possible
starting in August, but she is pessimistic about this happening.
D) ALLOTMENTS
1. The Chairman reported there are 7 unlet plots.
E) PLANNING
See report 032/04
1. Planning Applications
Cllr Nobbs reported that he had received notification from the Planning Inspectorate that the three Appeals Mr Nolan had made against DBC decisions regarding developments at Ye Olde Barn in Megg Lane (Planning Applications 402/02, 951/03 and 982/03) had all been dismissed.
2. Chipperfield Garage Parking Proposal
No resolution was made on this.
66/04: REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES
a) Youth Club
Thanks have been received for the Parish Council’s Annual Grant.
b) Village Hall Committee
Cllr Joseph reported that at the AGM, thanks had been expressed for the Parish Council’s grant.The unaudited accounts show a relatively healthy situation with £24,00 in the bank after repayment of £500 loan to Dacorum Borough Council. £863 has been spent on new tables. Mr Cornell will now be the Auditor.
c) School Governor
Cllr Wakeman reported that she had attended the School Open day and had been most impressed by it.
d) Chipperfield News
Nothing to Report
e) Chipperfield Care
The Chairman reported the Mr Main, the Chairman of Chipperfield Care had been pursuing the possibility of the local Primary Care Trust providing some ancillary medical care facilities in the village, such as flu inoculations. He has now been advised that no such services can be provided for health and safety reasons.
67/04 CORRESPONDENCE
None.
68/04 REPORT OF THE CLERK
None.
69/04 PAYMENTS DUE, INTERIM PAYMENTS MADE, INTERIM INCOME RECEIVED
The Chairman reported that all necessary payments had been duly authorised and paid.
70/04 EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC
Resolved
That in view of the special nature of the business to be transacted, it is advisable in the public interest that the public be temporarily excluded and they are instructed to with draw.
Part 1 Meeting Closed 10.00pm: Part 2 meeting closed 10.08pm
DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Monday, September 13 at 8.00pm