June 2007
Minutes of the meeting of Chipperfield Parish Council held in The Baptist Church meeting room, The Street, Chipperfield on Wednesday 11th June 2007 at 8.00pm
Present Cllr M Bradshaw (Chairman), Cllr M Joseph (Vice-Chairman), Cllr M Jarrad, Cllr D Nobbs
Cllr Miss M Godwin, Cllr Mrs S Sims, Cllr Mrs P Southworth and Cllr Mrs G Stokes
Public Participation:- PCSO Ashworth reported the following crime figures
Dwelling burglary 0 Burglary other 0 Theft from Motor Vehicle 0
Theft of Motor Vehicle0 Damage 0 Other crime 0
Robbery/assault 0 Nuisance 0
The occupant of Silvertrees, Wayside attended to offer details of a planning application due to be heard later on the agenda.
AGENDA: Part 1
0104/07 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
Clerk was unable to attend due to illness. Cllr Stokes agreed to take minutes.
0105/07 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
None
0106/07 MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
Minutes of the meeting 14th May were signed by Chairman as a correct record.
Proposed Cllr Jarrad, Seconded Cllr Bradshaw All agreed
0107/07 MATTERS ARISING FROM THOSE MINUTES
None
EX – AGENDA
None
FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSE
0106/07 TO APPOINT MEMBERS OF WORKING GROUPS
Finance & General Purpose Cllr M Jarrad (Chair) Cllr M Bradshaw
Cllr M Joseph, Cllr D Nobbs (reserve)
Highways, Road Safety & Public Transport Cllr Mrs S Sims (Chair) Cllr M Joseph
Cllr Mrs G Stokes Cllr M Bradshaw (reserve)
Open Spaces & Allotments Cllr Mrs G Stokes (Chair) Cllr D Nobbs
Cllr Mrs S Sims Cllr M Jarrad (reserve)
Planning Cllr D Nobbs (Chair) Cllr M Joseph
Cllr Mrs P Southworth Cllr M Bradshaw (reserve)
Youth & Education Cllr Mrs P Southworth (Chair)Cllr M Jarrad
Cllr Mrs G Stokes Cllr Miss M Godwin (reserve)
The above named allocation of Councillors for each group was agreed.
Proposed Cllr Bradshaw and Seconded Cllr Sims All agreed
0107/07 TO APPOINT REPRESENTATIVES FOR OUTSIDE ORGANISATIONS
Chipperfield Care Cllr Mrs G Stokes Cllr M Jarrad (reserve)
Chipperfield News Cllr Mrs G Stokes Cllr M Jarrad (reserve)
Sports Clubs Cllr Miss M Godwin Cllr M Bradshaw (reserve)
School Liaison Cllr Mrs P Southworth Cllr Mrs S Sims (reserve) Village Hall Cllr Mrs S Sims Cllr M Joseph (reserve)
Youth Club Cllr Mrs P Southworth Cllr M Bradshaw (reserve)
The above named allocation of Councillors for each group was agreed,
Proposed Cllr Bradshaw and Seconded Cllr Sims All agreed
0108/07 EXTERNAL AUDIT
It was proposed that this matter be deferred until the July meeting in order for F&GP to confirm figures before recommending that the Chairman sign off the audit. All agreed
0109/07 CODE OF CONDUCT
It was proposed this matter be deferred to F&GP to investigate clause 12 before making a recommendation to Council. All agreed
0110/07 GRANT PAYMENTS OUTSTANDING 2006/07
It was recommended that the current outstanding grant payments be combined and allocated towards the Youth Club and Playgroup only after the Youth and Education group had met with the Trustees of same to establish relevant projects that would enhance the building asset of the premises.
Youth and Education Group to arrange meeting Al agreed
0111/07 GRANT PAYMENTS 07/08
A history of grant payments were distributed, it was proposed that this should be the last year grants are paid unless accounts of requesting organisations are signed and that grants must be used for very specific one-off projects. Clerk to distribute new guidance notes to requesting organisations when applications are due in October
Proposed Cllr Jarrad, Seconded Cllr Joseph All agreed
It was Resolved that the grant requests for 07/08 be paid in full with the exception of the Youth Club (see item 0110/07). It was recommended that the representative Councillor for each organisation personally hands over the cheque in order to explain changes to the procedures.
Proposed Cllr Jarrad, Seconded Cllr Joseph All agreed
0112/07 COUNCIL LIABILITY INSURANCE
F&GP confirmed that 2 comparable quotes had been received and recommended that the Council change insurer To Royal & Sun Alliance. It was Resolved that the Clerk accepts this insurance proposal.
Proposed Cllr Nobbs, seconded Cllr Southworth All agreed
0113/07 STAFF APPRAISALS
The proposed timetable was agreed. Clerk to arrange for her staff to be appraised before the end of June. Clerk to be appraised during July 07.
0114/07 STAFF GRATUITY FUND
It was reported that investigation had now been completed with regards the Clerk gratuity vs. LGPS. Details of a Capital Investment Bond with Scottish Life were produced. It was confirmed this fund is currently being used by Wheathampstead Parish Council and conforms to current legislation regarding Local Councils also the external auditors Lubbock Fine have signed off on same. It was proposed this fund be set up with an initial investment of £5000. The fund can be added to at any time at the Council’s discretion and life cover would be on the life of the Clerk with the ownership of funds belonging to the Council. The Clerks contract would be amended to safeguard the Clerk’s gratuity contained in her existing contract. It was Resolved that the Clerk contact the IFA to sign relevant papers to set up this fund.
Proposed Cllr Jarrad and seconded Cllr Nobbs All agreed
PLANNING
0115/07 PLANNING APPLICATIONS & RESULTS
All of the following recommendations given by the Planning group were accepted by Full council.
04/00614/07/FUL MANOR FARM COTTAGE, THE COMMON
Description Fuel pumps within yard and tractor shed with associated access (amended)
CPC Recommendation Chipperfield Parish Council has supports this application.
As you are aware we had no objections to the previous application for which DBC granted planning permission and the amendments to this application are minor.
04/00706/07/RET SILVER TREES, WAYSIDE
Description SHED
CPC Recommendation Chipperfield Parish Council supports this application
This is a retrospective application for a large workshop (rather than a shed) whose existence was drawn to DBC's attention by the Parish Council. Although Silver Trees itself has been extensively extended this new structure is not obtrusive, however we request that provisions are made to ensure this structure is not used for any other purpose than garden/domestic storage.
04/00971/07/LDE R/O CRAIG ROWAN, CHAPEL CROFT
Description USE OF 2 STOREY REAR OUT BUILDING
CPC Recommendation Chipperfield Parish Council supports this application
We are aware that this workshop already has electricity and water supply and has remained unchanged over the years, however we would like assurance that if granted this workshop does not change to a dwelling
04/01000/07/FHA WHITE OAKS, THE COMMON
Description DOUBLE GARAGE
CPC Recommendation Chipperfield Parish Council opposes this application.
Although this property was granted planning permission 17 years ago, as the property is within the Conservation area where an extension will be permitted provided it is carried out in a manner that preserves or enhances the established character or appearance of the area we feel that:-
1 In lengthening the building it spoils the proportions of the cottage type front elevation.
2 The Village Design Statement advocates the building of separate garages where space is available.
3 The proposed up and over door is not sympathetic to the building.
In addition there are inaccuracies in the application regarding the proximity of a right of way and the alterations to the access. We are also aware of neighbour objections to this application.
04/01018/07/FHA THE OLD COTTAGE, KINGS LANE
Description TWO STOREY SIDE EXTENSION AND CONSERVATORY
CPC Recommendation Chipperfield Parish Council opposes this application
The "Old Cottage" is based on one of three centuries old cottages, two if which were demolished within living memory. however alterations and extensions over time, especially major development in 1989 have changed its’ character and very little of the ancient external structure is visible. This new application extends it still further and in our view should be opposed on the following grounds:-
1 With its’ boundary to boundary frontage and considerable extension in size it represents overdevelopment of a very small plot and does not preserve or enhance the established character of the area (policy 120).
2 With the car port extending to the front of the building it does not respect the existing building line as required by policy 120.
3 The application is incomplete and we believe misleading, the existing and proposed floor space measurements are missing from the application from and the Design Access Statement says that the property is not in the Conservation area, whereas it is and it also states the previous extension was single storey when in fact it was double.
04/01138/07/FHA KINGSFORD, KINGS LANE
Description REAR EXTENSION, LOFT CONVERSION WITH DORMERS AND FRONT PORCH
CPC Recommendation Chipperfield Parish Council supports this application.
This large house is in the village core, where there are no specific restrictions on the size of extension. We have no objection as:-
1 The new sunroom is in keeping with the existing design and is obscured from view
2 The three new dormers on each side of the main roof are commensurate in scale with the building and provide a more balanced look compared with the single one at present.
3 The porch fits in well with the building.
04/01146/07/LBC BLANTYRE, TOWER HILL
Description TWO ROOFLIGHTS AND INTERNAL ALTERATIONS
CPC Recommendation Chipperfield Parish Council opposes this application
"Blantyre" is a listed building having been converted from a 17th Century barn originally part of Tenements Farm. Although we are happy to leave comments on the internal alterations to the Conservation Officer we are concerned at the appearance of 2 proposed roof lights which we feel would be detrimental to the appearance of this attractive building. We also draw your attention to the Village Design Statement which specifically rules out such roof lights at the front of buildings
04/01156/07/FHA 1 NUNFIELD
Description TWO STOREY SIDE EXTENSION (AMENDED SCHEME)
CPC Recommendation Chipperfield Parish Council opposes this application
This is an amended version of a previous application which we opposed because of discrepancies in the scaling of the plan, the absence of the existing garage and the first floor windows being out of character. The new plans do remedy a
number of our earlier concerns and in some ways the integration of two single storey structures into the building improve its' appearance in this prominent position however, we still feel the 1st floor balcony is out of keeping with the Village character and for this reason we oppose the application.
04/01229/07/TCA MAHOGANY HALL, THE COMMON FOR INFORMATION ONLY
Description WORKS TO TREES
04/01245/07/TCA COPTHALL COTTAGE, KINGS LANE FOR INFORMATION ONLY
Description WORKS TO TREES
Results from Dacorum Borough Council received between 6TH May – 5TH June 2007
04/00518/07/FHA CHIPPERFIELD COTTAGE, CHAPEL CROFT, CHIPPERFIELD
Description GROUND & FIRST FLOOR REAR EXTENSION & SINGLE STOREY FRONT EXTENSION
DBC result WITHDRAWN CPC recommendation NO OBJECTION
04/00529/07/FHA CHRISTMAS COTTAGE, 96 SCATTERDELLS LANE, CHIPPERFIELD
Description SINGLE STOREY FRONT EXTENSION, FIRST FLOOR SIDE EXTENSION (AMENDED)
DBC result GRANTED CPC recommendation NO OBJECTION
04/00561/07/FHA MANOR FARM COTTAGE, THE COMMON, CHIPPERFIELD
Description SINGLE STOREY REAR EXTENSION, REMOVE CONSERVATORY & OUTBUILDING INTERNAL & EXTERNAL ALTERATIONS (AMENDED
DBC result GRANTED CPC recommendation NO OBJECTION
04/01860/05/LDP WOODMANS FARM, DUNNY LANE, CHIPPERFIELD
Description SINGLE STOREY EXTENSIONS
DBC result REFUSED CPC recommendation FOR DBC DECISION
04/00593/07/FHA RYVOAN, CHAPELCROFT, CHIPPERFIELD
Description SINGLE STOREY SIDE EXTENSION
DBC result GRANTED CPC recommendation NO OBJECTION
04/00651/07/RET FAR FARRINGTON, LANGLEY ROAD
Description REPLACEMENT FENCE
DBC result REFUSED CPC recommendation REFUSED
04/00707/07/FHA LE SOKEN, LANGLEY ROAD
Description TWO STOREY SIDE AND REAR EXTENSION
DBC result REFUSED CPC recommendation REFUSED
04/00717/07/FHA 11 TOWER HILL
Description REPLACEMENT CONSERVATORY
DBC result REFUSED CPC recommendation REFUSED
04/00720/07/FHA 11 CROFT FIELD
Description TWO STOREY & SINGLE STOREY REAR & FRONT EXTENSIONS & ALTERATIONS
DBC result GRANTED CPC recommendation NO OBJECTION
04/00721/07/RET THE PALE FARM, THE STREET
Description EXTENSION TO EXISTING FENCE
DBC result REFUSED CPC recommendation REFUSED
04/00723/07/FHA WHITE GATES
Description REPLACEMENT GARAGE
DBC result GRANTED CPC recommendation NO OBJECTION
04/00791/07/FUL COPTHORNE, WAYSIDE
Description REPLACEMENT DWELLING (AMENDED)
DBC result GRANTED CPC recommendation NO OBJECTION
HIGHWAYS, ROAD SAFETY AND TRANSPORT
None
OPEN SPACES AND ALLOTMENTS
01160/07 REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE ORGANISATIONS
• Youth Club – Cllr Southworth to discuss supporting disabled youth
• Village Hall – Cllr Sims had received and reported the last set of Hall minutes
• School Liaison – Cllr Southworth to meet with Head Teacher
• Chipperfield News – Cllr Joseph to attend next meeting re website
• Chipperfield Care – None
• Sport Club – Cllr Godwin is gathering further information to report to Council
0117/07 CORRESPONDENCE
None
0118/07 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
It was RESOLVED that accounts amounting to £8,684.93 be approved.
Proposed Cllr Joseph
Seconded Cllr Bradshaw All agreed
It was reported that the Warden’s lawnmower had broken down leaving him without the relevant equipment, in the absence of Clerk to explain the other equipment belonging to the role of the warden, this matter to be deferred to F&GP and Clerk to discus the emergency spending to obtain a new lawnmower, especially if health and safety issues are involved. All agreed
0119/07 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
It was requested that Highways Group review the “roads report 203” for further action at the next meeting.
It was reported that the new Open Spaces and Allotment group would meet soon to discuss outstanding items and any new items including the verges within the parish. Open spaces to review why the “Easy Access” path was placed along a bridle path.
0120/07 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is on Monday 9th July 2007 at 8.00pm at the Baptist Church meeting room