June 2004
Minutes of the Meeting of Chipperfield Parish Council, held in ‘The Upper Room’ at St. Paul’s Church extension, Chipperfield, on Monday 14 June 2004 at 8.00 pm
PRESENT: Councillor Miss EA Holliday (Chairman)
Councillors: MW Bradshaw, J Carter, MJD Jarrad, DJ Nobbs, Mrs BA Berners-Price, Mrs RV Wakeman; with J Pringle (Clerk) in attendance.
Borough Cllr G Adeleke and PC Healey and Community Support Officer Ashworth were present as observers.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE; were submitted on behalf of Cllr Joseph.
Also, from County/Borough Cllr R Roberts for not being present as an observer.
49/04 THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 10 MAY 2004: were approved and signed.
Proposed: Cllr Carter. Seconded: Cllr Jarrad.
50/04 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
PC Bob Healey gave a resume of latest crime statistics for Chipperfield and discussed how the latest wave of graffiti and vandalism was being pursued..
51/04 REPORTS FROM BOROUGH & COUNTY COUNCILLORS
None
52/04 TO RECEIVE ‘DECLARATION OF INTERESTS’ FROM MEMBERS (AGENDA/REPORTS)
None.
53/04 PUBLIC AUDIT OF ACCOUNTS; ANNUAL RETURN FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2004
Refer to APPENDIX ‘A’ & APPENDIX ‘B’
1. Copy of SECTION 4, ANNUAL INTERNAL AUDIT REPORT, Signed by the Internal Auditor, was received by Council.
53A/04 PUBLIC AUDIT OF ACCOUNTS; ANNUAL RETURN FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2004
Refer to APPENDIX ‘A’ & APPENDIX ‘B’
1. Copy of SECTION 1, THE STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS, signed by the Clerk, was received and approved by Council and counter-signed by Chairman.
The above was accompanied by and approved with “a quantified explanation of any significant variances” between 2003 & 2004, the signed year end Bank Reconciliation and the statement of Total Financial Assets.
53B/04 PUBLIC AUDIT OF ACCOUNTS; ANNUAL RETURN FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2004
Refer to APPENDIX ‘A’ & APPENDIX ‘B’
1. Copy of SECTION 2, STATEMENT OF ASSURANCE, was received and approved by Council and signed by Chairman and Clerk.
54/04 REPORTS FROM THE CLERK ON BEHALF OF COMMITTEES :
A) FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES
See Report No 022/04 from Clerk, items 1 - 9
1. With Reference to item 1: Annual prize in memory of Councillor John Nichols 37 years service
Cllr Nobbs reported that the matter is in hand and will depend on the scheduled history teacher and which will be known at a meeting on 13/14 July. The first award will be in 2005.
2. With Reference to item 2: Millennium Project ‘Village Map’
RESOLVED
Council wish to record their most sincere thanks to Mike and Joy Tagg for all their dedication and free time spent in production of all the artwork.
3. With Reference to item 3: ‘Hertfordshire Constabulary Community Safety Accreditation Scheme’. Please refer to APPENDIX ‘C’ - review by Cllr Jarrad
Cllr Jarrad further reported he found the document difficult to read and be objective. It seems to be a sledgehammer to crack a nut. The considerable costs and by whom are not mentioned. Considerable training is required which can hardly be carried out in half a day. Every quarter a report has to be presented. Face value is great but cost implication seems huge - who is going to pay? It is regulation by another name. It is a national initiative supposed to be implemented by 2005. We should ask for more detail.
RESOLVED
Response is delegated to Committee.
4. With Reference to item 4: Traditional red ‘phone box opposite the Two Brewers under notice of closure
RESOLVED
Committee to request the box to be listed.
5. With Reference to item 6: DBC Waste/Re-cycling collection
RESOLVED
Committee to review the situation through an article in Chipperfield News.
6. With Reference to item 7: Village Warden Budgets 2005/2006 application to DBC
RESOLVED
Council will not apply for upgrading to level 1 as it involves security duties.
7. With Reference to item 8; Chilterns Conservation Board and Chiltern Society - Chilterns Building Design Awards 2004 meeting
Cllr Nobbs reported on his attendance. It was a good meeting with 3 excellent talks. It was useful but with no immediate action plans.
8. With Reference to item 9: Allotment Field, Chipperfield/The Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000 results of representations on a map of Registered Common Land & Open Country. Allotment Field included
RESOLVED
Cllr Nobbs and the Clerk to formulate and lodge an Appeal. Closing date 7 September 2004.
B) HIGHWAYS & ROAD SAFETY & PUBLIC TRANSPORT
See Report No 023/04 from Clerk, items 1 - 5
1. With reference to item 2: ‘Show of Water at Tower Hill near junction of Scatterdells Lane’
Cllr Holliday reported she had discussed with Mr Cross who is uncertain if a ditch existed. She will next consult Mr Pritchard.
2. With reference to item 4: Hedges overgrowing Footways and Highways
Cllr Holliday reported that Borough/County Councillor R Roberts is trying to get Parish Councils empowered to deal with these issues.
Cllr Berners-Price reported that one Road Traffic Sign in Kings Lane is completely buried in an overgrown hedge.
3. With reference to item 5: Speed Gun Project
Cllr Holliday reported that there has been some misunderstanding. The device now referred to is a roadside warning panel triggered by passing vehicles, not a speed gun.
RESOLVED
A) Cllrs Jarrad and Holliday to consult the officer responsible
B) The Clerk to investigate the experience of Long Marston PC.
C) OPEN SPACES & FOOTPATHS
See Report No 024/04 from Clerk, items 1 - 3
1. With reference to item 1: CMS Parish Paths Partnership Scheme (P3) grant applications due 30 June 2004
Cllr Jarrad reported that he and Cllr Berners-Price have walked all the definitive footpaths on Chipperfield Common and found the signposting, such as exists, to be totally confusing. 25 signposts are needed and all should have the footpath markings (CF numbers) clearly attached. The existing ‘No Horses’ signposts are excellent.
2. With reference to item 3; Parish Council flagpole on Chipperfield Common
RESOLVED
The proposal is rejected.
D) ALLOTMENTS
See Report No 025/04 from Clerk, items 1 only
1. With reference to item 1: Proposal to increase the rent for a full plot from £6 to £9 per annum
RESOLVED
Approved.
E) PLANNING
See Report No 0026/04 from Clerk, items 1 - 3
Please refer to above report.
55/04 REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES:
Reports were deferred.
56/04 CORRESPONDENCE
See Report No 027/04
57/04 REPORT OF THE CLERK
The Clerk reported he had nothing further to add to his published reports.
58/04 PAYMENTS DUE,
INTERIM PAYMENTS MADE & INTERIM INCOME RECEIVED
See Report No 028/04 from Clerk
1. RESOLVED
A) All items listed for payment are approved for signature in Council.
B) All interim payments made are noted.
C) All interim income received is noted.
59/04 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 personal information relating to employees.
PART 2
60/04 TO CONSIDER AN INCREASE IN STAFF PAY FOR 2 EMPLOYEES.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF F&GP COMMITTEE. SEE APPENDIX ‘X’
1. RESOLVED
Recommendations of Committee are endorsed.
61/04 TO AGREE A PRICE (CONTRIBUTION) FOR SALE OF A2 COPIES OF ‘THE VILLAGE MAP’ ENCLOSED IN POSTAL TUBE
1. RESOLVED
The sum of £10 per copy is approved.
62/04 TO RATIFY THE ORDERING OF BALLOONS FOR VILLAGE DAY PROJECT
1. RESOLVED
Purchase of balloons and equipment in sum of £270.25 is approved.
Meeting closed 10.03 pm
DATE OF NEXT MEETING - Monday 12 July 2004.
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