November 2002
Minutes of the Meeting of Chipperfield Parish Council, held in ‘The Upper Room’ at St. Paul’s Church extension, Chipperfield, on Monday 11 November 2002 at 8.00pm
At 8.00pm and before commencement of the official Agenda:
Inspector Fogarty - Community Inspector Hertfordshire Constabulary (Dacorum), supported by WPC Buttleman, talked with Council on the subject of Crime, Vandalism and Anti-social behaviour as it relates to the village.
The official Agenda followed.
PRESENT: Councillor DJ Nobbs (Chair). Councillor MD Joseph (Vice Chair). Councillors: J Carter, Mrs BA Berners-Price, Miss EA Holliday, RJH Neil, JDF Nichols; with J Pringle (Clerk) in attendance.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE; were submitted on behalf of Cllr Mrs RV Wakeman.
97/02 THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 14 OCTOBER 2002: were approved and signed with one amendment -
Under 87/02A item 8, “and an analysis of crime” is amended to read ‘and suggested an analysis of crime’.
98/02 REPORTS FROM THE CLERK ON BEHALF OF COMMITTEES :
A) FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES
See Report No 058/02 from Clerk, items 1 - 6
1. With reference to item 2: ‘Local Access Forum’/“The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000”/Responses by 29 November 2002
Cllr Holliday reported that apart from the Jasmine Horse Track Group she could not identify any other relevant organisation who would not otherwise already be within organisations to be consulted.
RESOLVED:
No response to be sent.
2. With reference to item 3.1: Vacancy in post of Village Warden/ Recommendations of Committee -
3.1A: Endorsement of £276 net advertising expenditure,
3.1B: Interviews and probationary appointment be delegated to Committee plus Chair Open Spaces Committee.
RESOLVED:
Recommendations of Committee are endorsed.
3. With reference to item 3.3: NALC Policy Update P35-02 ‘Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Consultation on the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003’
Cllr Nobbs reported:
F&GP Committee considered the document and find it largely to be legal backing to measures already in place. Committee recommend a response in following terms on two issues:
A) Public viewing of Accounts: It is unreasonable and impractical to now hold together for a whole year all documents and paperwork related to Audit to allow for instant public inspection. The previous requirement to have them available for a short prescribed period prior to Public Audit is recommended as reasonable and practicable.
B) Option to appoint an Internal Auditor in addition to function of External Auditor: Councils opting to appoint and pay for an Independent Internal Auditor should not be financially disadvantaged by having to pay resultant higher Audit fees.
RESOLVED:
Recommendations of Committee are endorsed.
4. With reference to item 3.5: NALC/SLCC National salary awards to Clerks for years 2002-2003 & 2003-2004/Committee recommend the awards be adopted
RESOLVED:
As Council adhere to the recommended National scales, the awards are adopted.
5. With reference to item 3.7: Current investment of some reserves as Temporary Loans to DBC/Committee recommend that Clerk investigate alternative investment with Council’s bank.
RESOLVED:
Approved.
6. With reference to item 4: Parish Borough Liaison Meeting 22 Oct 2002/Cllrs: Nichols, Holliday & Wakeman to attend/Verbal Report to Council
Cllr Nichols presented and circulated a written report.
The Clerk reported he would submit this as an Appendix to next meeting of Council.
7. With reference to item 5: Transfer of temporarily held ‘Village Chest’ funds to ‘Dacorum Community Trust’/One more formal procedure to await
Cllrs Nobbs and Nichols, as two of the three temporary Trustees, declared a non pecuniary interest in the matter.
Cllr Nobbs reported:
Committee did not expect this to be such a lengthy and complicated procedure largely to meet regulations of the Charity Commission. Committee recommend that the funds be released immediately clearance is approved through the Charity Commission. Approval is expected within the next few days.
RESOLVED:
Immediate transfer is approved.
Other Matters
8. Cllr Nobbs (Chairman) advised Members that Council will need to prepare the 2003/2004 Budgets for submission to DBC. They are normally due for submission by mid-January. Committee are due to meet, prior to next meeting of Council, to prepare Draft Budgets. Committees are asked to advise him of any proposed extraordinary expenditure.
B) HIGHWAYS & ROAD SAFETY & PUBLIC TRANSPORT
See Report No 059/02 from Clerk, items 1 - 2
1. With reference to item 1: HCC Highway markings/Council to write to HCC Director Charlie Watson/Verbal report from Cllr Nobbs
Cllr Nobbs reported:
He has further discussed to-day with Mr Mike Bishop at DBC who has undertaken to further review the problem. The current contractors are based in Yorkshire. The outstanding works are still regarded by HCC as urgent.
RESOLVED:
Council to write to Chairman at HCC.
2. With reference to item 2: ‘Chipperfield Village - Linking up Footpaths and Bikeways to Improve Pedestrian Environment and Road Safety’/Report compiled and submitted by Mr Simon Wood/Refer to Appendix ‘A’
RESOLVED:
A) Council adopt the report as a long term aim,
B) CPC Highways etc Committee, and Open Spaces etc Committee, to liaise in addressing the issues raised.
C) CPC Chairman to write to Mr Simon Wood, thanking him for this initiative.
Other Matters
3. Cllr Nobbs reported:
He is informed that a petition is being raised on behalf of retail outlets at Chapel Croft (Newsagent and Butcher), concerning long term parking outside their premises which deprives access by customers and consequential loss of trade and income.
Part of the problem seems to arise from parking of vehicles associated with Chipperfield Garage.
Cllr Nobbs has arranged a meeting with the proprietor of Chipperfield Garage to discuss the issue.
DBC Planning Department have already been asked to investigate and advise on on-site parking provision requirements agreed under planning consents at Chipperfield Garage.
C) OPEN SPACES & FOOTPATHS
See Report No 060/02 from Clerk, items 1 - 7
1. With reference to item 1: Notes of 5 September 2002 Open Spaces & Footpaths Committee Meeting
Cllr Nichols presented and circulated a written report.
The Clerk reported he would submit this as an Appendix to next meeting of Council.
Cllr Holliday reported:
Following recent storm damage to trees in Chipperfield Woodland, DBC Woodland Officer advises that remedial action is being prioritised across the Borough. She has asked that useful lengths of reclaimed timber be used to support the edging to the Permissive Car Park opposite Queen Street.
2. With reference to item 2: DBC ‘CCTV Strategy for the Borough’
Cllr Holliday proposed that security lighting to the public car park adjacent to St Paul’s Church should be investigated as a first step in moving forward and that the Village be consulted at the forthcoming Annual Parish Meeting.
Cllr Nobbs reported that in his view it would be impossible to complete all details required by the deadline date to bid for DBC CCTV in this current round of applications.
RESOLVED:
A) The Clerk to ask DBC if an outline bid at this stage would be acceptable.
B) The Village be consulted at the forthcoming Annual Parish Meeting.
3. With reference to item 3: Action on points A-C raised by Common Ranger
Cllr Holliday reported:
With reference to item B: Provision of a facility for deposit of litter collected by the Common Ranger on behalf of the Borough Council
Use of existing facilities at ‘The Two Brewers’ or providing an additional bin of our own is to be investigated.
With reference to item C: Distribution by children of information leaflets and ‘Dog Gloves’
Two families have already expressed an interest.
4. With reference to item 7: PEAP (Parish Environmental Action Plans)
Cllr Holliday reported:
She has been unable to secure a sufficient number of volunteers from the Village to provide the necessary workforce for a comprehensive plan. However, a single project such as restoration of ‘Pill Pond’ might meet with some success.
RESOLVED:
The Clerk to consult with Claire Covington - DBC Parks and Open Spaces Manager.
D) ALLOTMENTS
See Report No 061/02 from Clerk, 1 item only
1. Cllr Holliday suggested that the main water supply be turned off for the winter period.
RESOLVED:
The Clerk to take action for this to be carried out.
E) PLANNING
See Report No 062/02 from Clerk, items 1 - 2
1. With reference to item 1: DBC Notices of Planning
Cllr Nobbs reported on planning applications received and recommendations of Committee to DBC Planning.
2. With reference to item 2: Report from Planning Committee, APPENDIX ‘B’ items 1 - 4
Item 1: ‘East of England Local Government Conference: Consultation on Options for Regional Planning Guidance’
RESOLVED:
Recommended response of Committee is adopted.
Item 2: ‘The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom; South East’
RESOLVED:
Recommended response of Committee is adopted.
Item 3: ‘Review of Areas of Special Control of Advertisements’
RESOLVED:
DBC be advised that Council having considered the proposals welcome the ‘status quo’ and have no further comments to make.
Item 4: ‘First Deposit Draft Minerals Local Plan Review 2002-2016’
RESOLVED:
HCC be advised that Council have considered the proposals and have no comments to make.
99/02 REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES:
A) YOUTH CLUB
Cllr Nichols reported:
It is a sad storey, the only active groups are in age range up to 12 years. Parents will not get involved in participation in activities. A letter should be sent to all parents.
E) CHIPPERFIELD NEWS
Cllr Holliday reported:
The AGM is to be held next month. There has been no progress in filling the vacant positions of Advertising Manager and Business Manager
100/02 CORRESPONDENCE
See Report No 063/02 from Clerk, 1 item only
101/02 REPORT OF THE CLERK
The Clerk reported he had nothing further to add to his published reports.
102/02 PAYMENTS DUE,
INTERIM PAYMENTS MADE & INTERIM INCOME RECEIVED
See Report No 064/02 from Clerk
1. RESOLVED:
A) Payment of all items listed is approved. Payment cheques now to be signed in Council.
B) Interim payments made are noted.
C) Interim income received is noted.
103/02 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:
Proposed grant expenditure by Council.
PART 2
104/02 TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE RECOMMENDATIONS OF F&GP COMMITTEE CONCERNING AN APPLICATION FOR GRANT AID FROM A LOCAL ORGANISATION
See page 7
Part 1 Meeting closed 9.50pm
Part 2 Meeting closed 10.00pm
DATE OF NEXT MEETING - Monday 9 December 2002.
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
PART 2
104/02 TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE RECOMMENDATIONS OF F&GP COMMITTEE CONCERNING AN APPLICATION FOR GRANT AID FROM A LOCAL ORGANISATION
This relates to an application for grant aid, from Chipperfield Football Club, towards projected costs of £844 in publication of a 56 page 100 year history of the Club.
1. Cllr Nobbs reported:
Council had declined grant aid for their previously submitted centenary projects on grounds that they were not of any enduring nature. Committee at its meeting of 4 November 2002 considered this latest application and considered it worthy of support and recommend approximately 50% grant aid amounting to £425.00.
RESOLVED:
A grant in sum of £425.00 is approved.