November 2007
Present Cllr M Bradshaw (Chairman), Cllr M Joseph, Cllr D Nobbs, Cllr M Jarrad,
Cllr Mrs S Sims and Cllr Mrs P Southworth.
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Public Participation:-
A resident attended regarding planning application 04/02611/07/Fful His views would be noted in the Council’s response to DBC. The Chairman thanked him for his time.
PCSO Ashworth reported the following crime figures:-
Dwelling burglary 1 Burglary other 1 Theft from Motor Vehicle 0
Theft of Motor Vehicle 0 Damage 1 Other crime 1
Robbery/assault 0 Nuisance 0 Street assault 0
It was reported further information regarding dog fouling/litter on footpath 13 and other areas had been reported to her to assist in solving the problem. Noted
AGENDA: Part 1
0198/07 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
Apologies were received from Cllr Godwin and accepted by all. Apologies were also received from Borough and County Councillor Roberts All agreed
0199/07 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Cllr Jarrad declared a personal interest in Didsbury Cottages due to his connection to one of the occupants Cllr Joseph declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the Youth Club, should the matter arise as he had given a quotation in relation to his business. Cllr Nobbs declared a personal interest in item 0211/07 regarding the allotments as he is an allotment holder
0200/07 MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
Minutes of the meeting held on 8th October 2007 were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
Proposed Cllr Nobbs, Seconded Cllr Joseph All agreed
0201/07 MATTERS ARISING FROM THOSE MINUTES
None
EX – AGENDA
None
FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSE
0202/07 REPORT FROM WORKING GROUP CHAIRMAN
It was reported that the Financial Regulations are currently being revised with a view to completion and adoption at the December Council along with CPC Principles of Financial Management, Financial Risk Assessment and new rules to cover the transfers into and out of the high-interest deposit account. Other items were still ongoing, for completion in the New Year. Noted
0203/07 BUDGET PROPOSAL 2008/2009 1ST DRAFT
After general discussion and minor amendments to be made to the proposal, it was Resolved to adopt the Budget Proposal 2008/2009 in its entirety. Clerk to forward to DBC
Proposed Cllr Southworth and Seconded Cllr Joseph All agreed
0204/07 STANDING ORDERS 2007 – CHIPPERFIELD PARISH COUNCIL
It was Resolved to adopt the amended/revised Standing Orders in its entirety. It was suggested that F&GP look at any future projects in conjunction with the reserve levels.
Proposed Cllr Joseph and Seconded Cllr Sims All agreed
0205/07 DIRECT DEBIT MANDATE
It was Resolved to authorise and sign the direct debit mandates for utility bills.
Proposed Cllr Sims and Seconded Cllr Southworth. All agreed
0206/07 BANK SIGNATORY MANDATE – CLERK
It was Resolved to authorise the Clerk as a signatory for the purpose of checking bank information only. It was clarified that the Clerk at no time will be a signatory for the Council cheques.
Proposed Cllr Nobbs and Seconded Cllr Joseph. All agreed
PLANNING
0207/07 REPORT FROM WORKING GROUP CHAIRMAN
To briefly update members on current issues
0208/07 REPSONSE TO CONSULTATIONS
1) Agree draft response to DBC consultation document on its Open Space Strategy
Page 59 Chipperfield should be added to the list of villages with a lack of public sports facilities. Although the provision of school and private facilities goes to show that Chipperfield meets the national target of 1.6 hectares per 1000 head of population, the absence of any public facilities means that groups such as the Chipperfield Corinthians Junior Football Club, which fields 8 teams for young people, has to arrange for the large majority of training and matches to take place outside the parish.
Page 53 The recommendation that existing leisure space should be protected is one we would entirely endorse. All agreed
2) Agree draft response to further Government proposals to amend East of England Regional Strategy
Comment on paragraph 10.6
We strongly support the proposal to set a target for domestic water consumption and to monitor the extent to which progress is being made towards it. We also agree that the extent of this progress should inform the next review of the RSS. Indeed, it is vital that it should do so, particularly for areas which rely on groundwater supplies. It would be better to await the results of this monitoring before including proposals in Policy LA2 to maintain the same rate of housing growth in Hemel Hempstead in the period 2021-2031 as is planned in the period up to 2021. All agreed
It was also reported that Hightown Praetorian are likely to submit shortly two plans for the proposed affordable housing site at Nunfield, showing access either by Nunfield or Kings Close. It was agreed that CPC could not comment further until the official applications had been received otherwise we would only be speculating on these applications. All agreed
0209/07 DIDSBURY COTTAGES
It was reported that due to the vigilance of the Clerk, DBC had to rescind an earlier decision to abolish the age restriction for purchasers of the 3 remaining properties. After discussion it was agreed to accept the proposals of the developer’s agents that the age restriction be retained, but the area be extended. CPC would find it acceptable for this area to be extended to include the whole of the ward of Chipperfield, Bovingdon and Flauden and also the Parish of Kings Langley. This decision was agreed by all. All agreed
0210/07 PLANNING APPLICATIONS & RESULTS
All of the following recommendations given by the Planning group were accepted by Full council, except where stated.
04/02352/07/FHA 23 Nunfield, Chipperfield Two storey and single storey rear extension (amended)
The following decision was reached by a vote of 5 to 2 in favour of opposing the application.
Chipperfield Parish Council opposes this application
Our objections in 2005 were on the grounds that the extension would be too large and over dominant, particularly for the next door neighbour. We are aware that the current works do not appear to follow the original application granted by DBC, in that the fenestration is a mixture of sizes and shapes with velux rooflights in places, which are out of line with the general proportions.
We are aware that our comments will arrive outside the deadline, however we would be grateful if you could place our reply on file.
04/02352/07/FHA Ravenscourt, Chapel Croft Loft Conversion with two rear dormers
Chipperfield Parish Council opposes this application.
This is the third application to extend this bungalow, the previous applications both being turned down on appeal by the inspectorate.
Although these new proposals are considerably scaled down with no change at all to the front elevation, we are still concerned with the positioning of the dormers at the roof line. The "Village Design Statement" says that dormers should be situated well below the ridgeline and we feel this is a guideline we should continue to uphold.
04/0203/07/FHA Brambles, The Common, Chipperfield
Demolition of existing outbuilding, garage and sheds. Construction of single storey side extension, two storey rear extension and front porch (amended)
Chipperfield Parish Council supports this application. This application replaces one submitted at the end of 2006, which was withdrawn following objections from us and the Planning Officer concerned. The main difference between the two is that the earlier one envisaged a substantial extension to the left of the frontage, whereas this extends at the back of the house. This is a significant improvement as the appearance of the front of the property is substantially unchanged, thus making the impact of the house's enlargement on the setting behind the Pill Pond much less.
The proposed extension is certainly large, but as the demolition of outbuildings (including greenhouses!) is taken into account in calculating the net size of the increase, the proposal falls within the 30% limit. The design of the extension is very compatible with the recently de-listed grade 2 building.
04/02611/07/FUL Land at Glen Lodge, Megg Lane Chipperfield Dwelling
Chipperfield Parish Council opposes this application.
Megg Lane is in the Green Belt, where there is a presumption against the erection of new dwellings, unless there are special circumstances. No such case has been presented here. The Design and Access Statement accompanying the application furthermore advances some erroneous statements in an endeavour to persuade us that the new dwelling would conform to current policies i.e.:-
Page 6 - Policies 4 & 6 - References to Chipperfield here relate only to the Village Core and not to roads such as Megg Lane, which are outside it.
Chipperfield Design Statement - The first paragraph suggests that our Design Statement is not necessarily applicable to the whole of the Parish, but it applies in fact to the entire area.
Even if it had been within an area of the village where a new dwelling was permissible the design of the building with its white timbering and German style overhanging eaves is completely of out keeping with the village tradition.
We are aware from the applicant, who attended our meeting, that they feel the Dacorum Local Plan Section 4, policy 16, which covers the creation of 3.5 dwelling pa, refers to the whole area of the designated small villages, however we understand this only applies to the core of the village and not to new properties in the Green Belt outside this core area.
04/02616/07/FHA Groves Orchard, The Common Chipperfield Ground and first floor extension
Chipperfield Parish Council opposes this application.
The current plans are unsatisfactory in that they propose further extensions to an already extended building in the Green Belt and Conservation Area, there was a rear extension around 1980 and the conservatory and additions to the front in 1988. The proposed addition would detract further from its character as a late 17th Century rural cottage.
04/02651/07/LBC Groves Orchard, The Common Chipperfield Ground and first floor extension
Chipperfield Parish Council opposes this application.
The proposed extension would be excessive in size, when previous extensions are taken into account and would detract from this listed building's character.
OPEN SPACES AND ALLOTMENTS
0211/07 REPORT FROM WORKING GROUP CHAIRMAN
To briefly update members on current issues.
0212/07 PILL POND
After discussion it was agreed that this matter be referred back to Open Spaces and Allotment Group for further recommendation at a later date. All agreed
0213/07 ICE CREAM VAN CONCESSION
After discussion was agreed not to offer a concession to any ice cream vendors and to report any appearances of vendors on the Common to DBC to take enforcement action. All agreed
0214/07 FILMING IN CHIPPERFIELD
Due to time constraints it was agreed to delegate the decision to Open Spaces and Allotment group, who would report their findings at the next Council meeting.
Proposed Cllr Southworth and Seconded Cllr Joseph All agreed
HIGHWAYS, ROAD SAFETY AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT
0215/07 REPORT FROM WORKING GROUP CHAIRMAN
Road Report It was reported that the completed Road Report had now been sent to Peter Lamprell at HCC Highways for his action/comment. The Road Report was very well received at the Hertfordshire Conference (HAPTC) Tuesday 6th Nov with positive comments from delegates who expressed an interest in doing the same in their Parish. Noted
An article reminding residents to cut back overgrown hedges has appeared in the latest Chipperfield News.
0216/07 JOINT MEMBERS PANEL MEETINGS
It was reported that quarterly meeting of the above panel are held and are open to the public. It was recommended that due to the positive response received from the panel by the attendance of one our members that all members should at times attend one of these meetings to observe only, unless delegated by full council to attend as a representative, as may occur from time to time. Chairman thanked. All agreed
YOUTH AND EDUCATION
0217/07 REPORT FROM WORKING GROUP CHAIRMAN
It was reported that a donated piano had now been installed at the Youth Club. The websites belonging to the sports organisations of Chipperfield had now been updated with their correct and relevant details to encourage more users.
After liaising with the local secondary schools to offer the support of the Council, if required by any of their pupils, it has become clear that due to the Data Protection Act this information can not be relayed to same.
0218/07 CLERKS NOTICES
It was reported that the Allotments AGM was due to take place on 19th November. All members were welcome to attend.
Clerk had contacted the Village Hall Advisory Service provided by the Community Development Agency for Herts to arrange a meeting to assistance with the Youth Club. She has also liaised with DBC who were also prepared to offer advice/assistance.
All members were invited to the Borough Liaison meeting due to take place on Wednesday 28th November at DBC.
0219/07 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
It was RESOLVED that accounts amounting to £3,051.24 be signed for payment.
Proposed Cllr Joseph, Seconded Cllr Nobbs. All agreed
0220/07 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
None.
0221/07 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is on Monday 10th December 2007 at 8.00pm in the Baptist Church meeting room.