March 2006
13th March 2006 at 8.00pm
Present Councillor Miss E.A Holliday (Chairman), Cllr M Joseph,
Cllr Mrs B Berners-Price, Cllr M Bradshaw, Cllr J Carter, Cllr Nobbs and Cllr Mrs R Wakeman.
AGENDA: Part 1
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Cllr M Jarrad.
PCSO Ashworth reported the following:-
Dwelling Burglary 0 Theft from M/Vehicle 0
Theft of M/Vehicle 1 Damage 1
Other crime 2 Nuisance 1
Detections 6
Chair congratulated PCSO Ashworth on her invitation, along with others, to 10 Downing Street to thank them for their assistance in the Buncefield incident.
2 TO CONFIRM MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 13TH MARCH. Item 018/06 should also read Cllr Bradshaw offered to complete a report for next meeting. Item 036 (part 2) should also read Cllr Bradshaw requested agreement to put himself forward as a representative of CPC on the executive committee of the HAPTC and report to the council on matters that arise. All agreed
3 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
4 TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM BOROUGH AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS PRESENT
Cllr Roberts reported that there was an increase on the County and Borough budget of 5%. HCC were planning to place £100million into the budget on a 5 year plan for road surfacing/repairs however this has been cut to £10million. He confirmed that road sweeping was still unsatisfactory and would look into the matter. He stated that it was unlikely our area would be chosen as a waste management site. To date the closure of Bovingdon fire station still appears to be likely but awaiting further decision. Libraries are due for a makeover which would necessitate the closure of some smaller libraries but would mean that each ward would have a modern, up-to-date library, it was likely that Bovingdon and Kings Langley would remain open. The mobile library service has changed its hours to accommodate more people to come into effect 21st March. It was likely that the new Surgicentre centre in Hemel would go ahead as part of the restructure of the NHS. Cllr Roberts was asked to find out when the kerbside collection of glass recycling would commence.
5 DECLARATION OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS
6 REPORTS FROM WORKING PARTIES
A Finance and General Purposes-
039/06 Parish Council Offices – Future requirements
It was suggested that we consider the possibility of having a Parish Council office within the village. All agreed that this should be investigated.
040/06Speaker – APM
As the Annual Parish Meeting is due to take place on the 10th April, Clerk requested suggestions for a speaker, after general discussion it was agreed that County and Borough Cllr Richard Roberts would give a brief talk on HCC the Future.
041/06 Quality Parish Status
It was reported that Cllr Bradshaw and the Clerk had attended a meeting regarding Quality Parish Status. Clerk reported that this was a Government scheme which encourages Parish Councils to show that they were running their Councils correctly and efficiently. To attain QPS the Clerk would study for a Certificate in Local Council Administration which she confirmed she would undertake. Once she has passed, different set targets need to be attained before QPS is given. All agreed to support the Clerk and we should try to obtain QPS.
042/06 Meeting with HAPTC
A report was circulated regarding the Data Protection Act and Freedom of Information. Clerk confirmed that the 1st officer is the Clerk of the council 2 the chair. Clerk confirmed she was due to attend a Parish Clerks meeting At DBC on Thursday and would request information on these issues.
043/06 Outstanding ongoing items
1 Licensing Ongoing
2 PCSO Ongoing
3 Fire Service Ongoing
4 Revise Standing orders and add new approved orders Ongoing
5 Prepare Risk Assessment Ongoing
B Highways, Road Safety and Public Transport
044/06 Meeting with Hertfordshire Highways
It was reported that a meeting had recently taken place with Hertfordshire Highways. 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
Langley Road, Highways confirmed that remedial works was due to take place this week with a view to stop the flooding. Cllr to check progress and report any further
Flooding
Tower Hill Concern was raised over the verge area near to the Kia garage as it is obvious a large vehicle regularly parks at the junction causing damage and a hazard to other traffic. Highways agreed to place posts to stop both problems – confirmed that this has now been completed and appears to be working.
Gullies Highways reported that all gullies had now been cleared, however a few will need further action Cllrs to report any flooding to Clerk. Clerk to chase Highways for confirmation that this will be a regular annual clearance.
045/06 Outstanding/ongoing items
Luton Airport Expansion Ongoing
Tower Hill Footpath Completed
Langley Road Flooding Ongoing near completion
Gullies Ongoing
C PLANNING
046/06 Planning applications for Feb/Mar 2006
04/01935/05/FUL Chipperfield Garden Machinery- Extension and re-roofing and cladding of building.
This was brought before the meeting in error, this application had already been replied to as follows:-
Chipperfield Parish Council supports these amended plans because the reduction of the roofline at the rear of the property would reduce any possible concerns of the building adversely affecting residents in the adjoining cul-de-sac.
Furthermore, the low pitched roof would be preferable to the present flat one.
04/00366/06/FHA Le Soken, Langley Road 2 Storey side and single storey rear extension and front porch.
Chipperfield Parish Council opposes this application as it considers extensions totalling approximately 67% of the existing floor area to be an overdevelopment of the site. It would be detrimental to the appearance of one of a number of attractive semi-detached dwellings built by Miss Courtauld in the inter-war years and would bring a large blank featureless wall right alongside the road boundary to Courtaulds, which would be making an ugly impact to the street scene in that road
047/06 Planning Report –Affordable Housing
After a lengthy silence in this matter, the Housing Association were contacted who confirmed that they had prepared plans but during discussions with DBC they confirmed these were not currently acceptable as it would mean the removal of part of the garage block. They will prepare new plans and keep us updated.
048/06 Outstanding/ongoing tasks
Car Park sign – The two Brewers No response from Spirit Group. Clerk to go directly to DBC for advice.
D Open Spaces and Footpaths
0049/06Whippendell Hill – Agreement Papers
It was reported that with the total support of the Landowner the papers had now been signed. Clerk to arrange for purchase of gate and a new sign “No Entry - Private Drive” for the landowner also the new marker posts to include one to point along the Jasmine track identifying Chipperfield.
0050/06 Permissive Rights of Way – Agreement papers
It was suggested that as Best practice CPC should for its own protection and that of the landowners arrange for any new permissive footpaths to be formalised with agreement papers.
051/06 Outstanding/ongoing items
1 Footpath Dunny Lane
It was confirmed that agreement had been reached with Landowner of The Thatch to allow part of his land to create a suitable and safe footway leading to the kissing gate. Highways have agreed to create a tarmac pathway to complete this. Agreement papers to be drawn up.
2 New bins – Croft Estate
Awaiting end of year accounts to confirm monies for purchase of new bins.
3 War memorial Plaques Ongoing
4 Wildlife interpretation board Ongoing
5 Pill Pond
The pond appears to be doing well but Clerk to speak DBC to find out their intentions for the pond.
E Allotments
052/06 Outstanding/ongoing item
Clerk confirmed that both tenants who had not cleared their plots and had agreed to by 1st March still had not taken action. Clerk requested decision whether to enforce the agreement or to allow one further opportunity to do so. It was agreed that both parties be sent letters by recorded delivery stating if they had not contacted the Clerk with a valid reason or had still not cleared by 1st April we would offer their plots to the waiting list.
7 Reports from representatives of outside bodies
053/06
a) Youth Club
It was reported that the new junior club was doing well and that they now had retained someone to do the accounts.
b) Village Hall
c) School Governor
Still awaiting details as to our involvement with the school once the new regulations come into force.
d) Chipperfield News
e) Chipperfield Care
8 Correspondence
054/06 Various
Clerk distributed new consultation/information papers.
9 Accounts for payment
055/06 Schedule of payments
Clerk submitted a Schedule of Accounts to be certified for payment and it was RESOLVED that accounts totalling £1355.16 be confirmed and certified for payment.
10 Date of next Meeting
Monday 8th May 2006