May 2007

Minutes of the meeting of Chipperfield Parish Council held in The Baptist Church meeting room, The Street, Chipperfield on Wednesday 14th May 2007 at 8.00pm

Present Councillor Cllr Holliday(Retiring), Cllr M Joseph (Vice-Chair), Cllr M Bradshaw,
Cllr M Jarrad, Cllr D Nobbs and Cllr Miss M Godwin

Also present Mrs J Deacon – Clerk to the Council

Public Participation:- PCSO Ashworth reported the following crime figures
Dwelling burglary 0 Burglary other 0 Theft from Motor Vehicle 1
Theft of Motor Vehicle0 Damage 0 Other crime 1
Robbery/assault 0 Nuisance 0 It was noted that the arson to a shed in the area behind The Boot showed that allegedly no accelerant was used and the fire report still being investigated.
She introduced her new colleague PC Julie Emerson, who along with PC Emma Zuchora (not present) will cover Chipperfield on a full time basis, also their new Inspector Claire Smith informed the Council of the new coverage for our area. A brief presentation was given by the occupants of Copthorne, Wayside regarding their planning application and a brief request was made by the tenant concerned in item 098/07. All parties were thanked for their time.

AGENDA: Part 1
080/07 ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN.
Cllr Holliday asked for nominations for Chairman, one nomination was made, proposed by Cllr Jarrad, Seconded Cllr Nobbs and Cllr Bradshaw was unanimously elected as Chairman. The Chairman signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office of Chairman. All agreed

081/07 ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN.
Cllr Joseph was nominated by Cllr Nobbs and Seconded by Cllr Jarrad and unanimously elected as Vice Chairman. All agreed

082/07 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
None.

083/07 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Cllr Nobbs declared a personal interest in planning application 04/00721/07/RET, The Pale Farm, The Street,
as he had received a neighbour planning notification.

084/07 ELECTION OF CO-OPTED MEMBERS
4 nominations had been received for the 3 vacancies, all parties were requested to speak regarding their nomination, one party was unable to attend and Cllr Jarrad read out details (from notes made from a telephone conversation) on behalf of candidate Mrs Pauline Southworth. Chair requested a vote which Cllr Joseph and Cllr Nobbs requested, as per standing orders, a secret ballot. Clerk distributed papers and voting took place. Clerk advised Chairman of votes and Mrs Sharon Sims, Mrs Gillian Stokes and Mrs Pauline Southworth were co-opted onto the Council. Mrs Sims and Mrs Stokes duly completed their “Declaration of Acceptance of Office” and it was unanimously agreed that Mrs P Southworth could defer the signing of same until her return, but in any event before 11th June 2007. Cllr Sims and Cllr Stokes took their place within Council. Chairman thanked the 4th person for their interest and time All agreed

085/07 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS FROM CO-OPTED MEMBERS
The new members were advised should they have any interest either now or during proceedings they should inform the Council immediately. Cllr Sims declared a personal interest in item 098/07 as she personally knew the tenant concerned.

086/07 MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
Minutes of the meeting 11th April were signed by Chairman as a correct record. All agreed

087/07 MATTERS ARISING FROM THOSE MINUTES
None All agreed

EX – AGENDA
Chairman on behalf of all the Council Members thanked Liz Holliday for her time and dedication she had shown to the Council during her time as Councillor and Chairman. All agreed.

088/07 APPOINT MEMBERS OF WORKING GROUPS
To appoint members for the following areas to include reserve members:-
Planning Finance and General Purpose
Highways, Road Safety and Transport Open Spaces and Allotments
Youth and Education
It was agreed that this matter be deferred for a week to allow the new members’ time to discuss which group(s) they could assist the most. All agreed
Chairman asked if Cllr Nobbs would continue on Planning and Cllr Jarrad on F&GP. Both agreed. Chairman to draw up list for Clerk.

089/07 APPOINT REPRESENTATIVES FOR OUTSIDE ORGANISATIONS
To appoint representative to the following areas to include reserve members:-
Youth Club Village Hall
Chipperfield Care Chipperfield News
School Liaison Village Sports Clubs
It was agreed that this matter be deferred for a week to allow the new members’ time to discuss which group they could assist the most. All agreed

090/07 LIST THE MEETINGS FOR THE YEAR 2007/2008
Clerk forwarded calendar of dates for the year. Clerk to publish same. All agreed

PLANNING
091/07 PLANNING APPLICATIONS & RESULTS
To consider any comments to be returned to Dacorum Borough Council on the following planning applications:-
Application No
04/00707/07/FHA LE SOKEN, LANGLEY ROAD
Description TWO STOREY SIDE AND REAR EXTENSION
Chipperfield Parish Council opposes this application:- This we believe is the third application for extension to this property, one of the previous ones went to appeal, where it was turned down. Our previous objections related to the fact that the size of extension was excessive for the site and the side elevation overwhelmed the prospect from the narrow Courtaulds also the design was unsympathetic to the appearance of the group, of Miss Courtaulds 1920 project, of semi detached houses. We feel that the new application still has not addressed any of these issues. All agreed

04/00720/07/FHA 11 CROFT FIELD
Description TWO STOREY & SINGLE STOREY REAR & FRONT EXTENSIONS & ALTERATIONS
Chipperfield Parish Council supports this application:-The property is within the village core where there is no specific restriction on the size of extensions. In this case the proposed rear extension would match that already built on the adjoining property at No 9 and the front alterations would look in keeping with existing. We would like to mention that there would be a narrow gap of 0.3m wide and 3.9 m long between the two rear extensions resulting from the fact the wall @ No 9 does not come right up to the boundary. All agreed

04/00721/07/RET THE PALE FARM, THE STREET
Description EXTENSION TO EXISTING FENCE
Chipperfield Parish Council opposes this application:-This retrospective application comes after work to the fencing that was previously refused by DBC, has taken place and our reporting of same to enforcement. Our previous objections remain in that the fencing is of an excessive height and not in keeping with the character and appearance of the area and does not reflect our Village Design statement. All agreed

Clerk confirmed that the application on the agenda 11 Tower Hill was made in error on and should have read :-

04/00723/07/FHA WHITE GATES, MEGG LANE
Description REPLACEMENT GARAGE
Chipperfield Parish Council supports this application:- This is an application to replace a detached asbestos roofed garage with one attached to the house, which has a marginally larger footprint. In conclusion we feel that although our Village Design Statement shows a preference for detached garages on larger sites, the design and materials here represent a planning gain. All agreed

04/00651/07/RET FAR FARRINGTON, LANGLEY ROAD
Description REPLACEMENT FENCE
Chipperfield Parish Council opposes this application:-This is a confusing application. The plan would suggest that the proposed fence is yet to be erected, when in fact it has been in place for many months, a matter we drew to the attention of DBC. Also the existing fence on the plan does not indicate the existence at the time of a perfectly good hedge which was removed when the new fence was erected. All agreed

04/00791/07/FUL COPTHORNE, WAYSIDE
Description REPLACEMENT DWELLING (AMENDED)
Chipperfield Parish Council supports this application:- As you are aware we approved the original application for a replacement building on this site, but DBC turned it down on the grounds that the new house would
1) Be too near the boundary trees and thus damage them.
2) By building a large basement as a utility room would make the floor area considerably in excess of what is permitted for a replacement building.
The applicants have now amended their proposals to place the building more centrally on the plot and have provided a detailed assessment of the trees on the site, which to the untrained eye seems to be reasonable in its conclusion. The amended increase in size now the original basement has been removed is 41%. Also the design of the house again seems to be very suitable for the location and is environmentally friendly. In our decision we considered the increase in size, on the one hand we have been trying to ensure the 30% rule is maintained, on the other DBC have approved an extension larger than this at Greenbanks opposite. As we approved the original plan including a basement on balance we feel there are special circumstances to increase by 41%. All agreed

Results from Dacorum Borough Council received between 4thApri-5th May 2007
04/00383/07/LBC THE OLD FORGE, THE STREET
Description TWO STOREY REAR EXTENSION & ALTERATION TO KITCHEN (AMENDED)
DBC result GRANTED CPC recommendation NO OBJECTION
04/00385/07/FHA THE OLD FORGE, THE STREET
Description TWO STOREY REAR EXTENSION & ALTERATION TO KITCHEN (AMENDED)
DBC result GRANTED CPC recommendation NO OBJECTION

Chairman requested that planning group to contact DBC to ensure we have more regular contact to establish a routine rapport with them to ensure that our recommendations represent their results. Cllr Nobbs to deal.

FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSE
092/07 END OF YEAR ACCOUNTS 2006/07 (UNAUDITED)
Clerk distributed year end accounts. All agreed.

093/07 AVALON IMPLEMENTATION
It was agreed that the new account system was working well although there were a few reports that need to be created by the supplier. Clerk requested to continue package in tandem with old system until end May. Clerk to arrange training and design of reports. All agreed

094/07 GRANT TO BLACKWELLS CLUB
It was reported that Blackwells club had written to Clerk withdrawing their request for the grant 2006/2007. F&GP to discuss reallocation of same. All agreed

095/07/JOHN NICHOLS MEMORIAL PRIZE FUNDING
Cllr Sims declared an interest as her son had won this year prize. It was agreed that F&GP look into the logistics, cost and mechanics of producing/self funding booklet. All agreed

096/07 REVIEW OF INSURANCE AND SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR 2007/08
Council liability Insurance
F&GP reviewed current coverage and with the exception of the War memorial appeared to be sufficient, F&GP to establish ownership of memorial. Clerk to obtain alternative quote and due to time constraints the decision to sign off renewal be deferred to F&GP. All agreed
HAPTC subscriptions
Clerk confirmed that subscription had increased by only 3% F&GP recommended renewal. All agreed
Clock maintenance
Clerk confirmed that the offer of a maintenance discount did involve paying for maintenance in advance. F&GP recommended we continue on an annual basis. All agreed.

097/07 CHAIRMAN’S ALLOWANCE
F&GP recommended at an allowance of £200 for 2007/08 be set aside from the budget to cover reasonable expenditure, should it be required, for the Chairman to carry out his duties on behalf of CPC.
Proposed Cllr Nobbs, seconded Cllr Jarrad. All agreed

HIGHWAYS, ROAD SAFETY AND TRANSPORT
None

OPEN SPACES AND ALLOTMENTS
098/07ALLOTMENT ENFORCEMENT
After discussion, it was unanimously agreed to enforce the “Allotment agreement”. Clerk to write to previous tenant advising them of same and request that all items be removed by 30th May. Proposed Cllr Nobbs, Seconded Cllr Jarrad. All agreed

099/07 REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE ORGANISATIONS
• Youth Club Village Hall
o School Liaison It was reported that, if required, CPC could receive a copy of the School Governors meetings at the school Clerk to deal
• Chipperfield News Chipperfield Care
• Sport Club

100/07 CORRESPONDENCE
Clerk distributed consultation on ?? to Chairman.

101/07 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
It was RESOLVED that accounts amounting to £27,533.96 including transfer of £25,000 to Scottish Widows account, be signed for payment.
Proposed Cllr Joseph
Seconded Cllr Bradshaw All agreed

102/07 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
None

103/07 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is on Monday 11th June 2007 at 8.00pm at the Baptist Church meeting room