October 2003
Minutes of the Meeting of Chipperfield Parish Council, held in ‘The Upper Room’ at StPaul’s Church extension, Chipperfield, on Monday 13 October 2003 at 8.00 pm
Present: Councillor Miss EA Holliday (Chairman)
Councillor MD Joseph (Vice-Chairman)
Councillors: DJ Nobbs, Mrs BA Berners-Price,
Mrs RV Wakeman, J Carter, MJD Jarrad
Borough Councillors: R Roberts, Mrs J Bradnock were present as observers.
At 8.00pm before commencement of the official agenda PC Buttleman introduced Kim Ashworth, the Police Support Officer who will be working with Michelle. She is based at Berkhamsted Police Station and will be patrolling on foot.
Mr Alec Heywood, Ass District Manager – HCC Highways gave a talk about what the Highways department funded the areas of most concern to Chipperfield – road safety and speeding. The Highways, Road Safety and Public Transport Committee including Councillors Holliday, Joseph, Jarrad and Nobbs to present a list to the Parish Council of the most urgent needs, how we as a Parish can help and then go the HCC Highways to ask for their advice and solutions.
AGENDA
PART 1:
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: were submitted on behalf of the Parish Clerk and Councillor Nichols.
THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING OF 8 SEPTEMBER, 2003: were approved and signed.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: There was not public participation.
REPORTS FROM BOROUGH AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS
Cllr Roberts advised that the Hunton Bridge Recycling Centre will be closing down and would be relocated near to Junction 6 of the M1. The new Centre would be bigger, safer and with no waiting. The Centre is still to be built. A3 maps will be produced explaining the timescales and where the new site is.
DECLARATION OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS
None were declared at the meeting.
SIGNATORIES TO THE ACCOUNTS
All Councillors who are not already Signatories to the Accounts are to have the Bank Mandate authenticated by the NatWest Bank and return to Councillor Holliday.
TO SIGN IN COUNCIL THE BANK RECONCILLIATION AS AT 31/03/03
Signed by Councillor Holliday. VAT has recovered as at 31.03.03. Now word has been received from External Auditor as to signing-off verbally agreed 2001-2002 accounts or as to requirements for 2002-2003 Public Audit.
REPORTS FROM THE CLERK ON BEHALF OF COMMITTEES:
A) FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES
See report No 051/03 from Clerk, items 1 – 8.
1. Ref item 1: Dacorum NHS Primary Care Trust ‘Investing in Your Health’
Resolved
Cllr Holliday reported that a letter had been sent indicating the Parish Council’s support of the building of a new hospital at Hatfield and the retention of an acute unit at Hemel Hempstead.
2. Ref item 2: ‘The Local Channel’ also CPC Website and e-gov & domain names’
Resolved
Confirmed domain name: Chipperfield ….. All local government services to be on line by 2005.
Jeff Bryant, Cllrs Holliday, Nobbs and Joseph to meet and form a Web Sub- Committee to discuss further.
3. Ref: item 3: ‘The State of Biodiversity in Hertfordshire 1992 – 2002
Resolved
The above report has been received and given to other members of the Open Spaces and Footpath Committee to read.
4. Ref: item 4: ‘Major Incident Plan’
Resolved
FG&P committee to consult to adapt the Major Incident Plan for Chipperfield and report back to the Council.
5. Ref: item 5: ‘CONSULTATION PAPER ON INDEMNITIES FOR RELEVANT AUTHORITY MEMEBRS AND OFFICERS’
Resolved
Cllrs Holliday and Nobbs filled the paper in and returned it.
6. Ref: item 6: To consider an earlier time to commence CPC Meetings
Resolved
All Councillors to consider an earlier start on a bi-monthly basis.
7. Ref: item 7: DBC ‘General Fund Revenue Budget 2004/5’
Cllr Nobbs reported that a number of consultations are being made on the need to make savings and more information will be forthcoming. We await the outcome of these consultations.
8. Ref: item 8: DBC ‘Housing Options Appraisal’
Resolved
No input required. A note to be sent saying that it has been received.
B) HIGHWAYS, ROAD SAFETY & PUBLIC TRANSPORT
See report No 052/03 from Clerk, items 1 – 2.
1. Ref item 1: ‘Hertfordshire’s Local Transport Plan, Consultation’
Resolved
The Council would like to thank Cllr Carter for completing the consultation document, and he will now send it off.
2. Ref item 2: ‘Jasmine Safety Track Proposal for re-opening the bridleway opposite Megg Lane.
Chess Valley Bridleway Association are pressurising the Highways Department to re-open this bridleway. Attention needs to be given to where the bridleway exists at Megg Lane, as this is on a blind corner. A meeting the CVBA is taking place this week.
C) OPEN SPACES & FOOTPATHS
See report No 053/03 from Clerk, items 1 – 4.
1. Ref item 1: ‘SEPCO Plc: Solar Lighting’
Resolved
Cllr Holliday reported that solar lighting would work in the bus shelters. It was agreed that a test site should be trialled.
2. Ref item 2: P3 (Parish Path Partnership Plan, CPC-CMS-HCC)’
It is to be recorded that this plan has worked exceptionally well and CF14 is held up as an example of the ideal way to deal with a footpath.
3. Ref item 3: CPC Village Warden Grass Cutting to Croft Estate.
Resolved
HCC has paid the monies.
4. Ref item 4: The Countryside Agency – Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000 – Draft Map – Information for Parish Councils
The OS&F committee to query some of the marked up areas of common land, including the allotments.
D) ALLOTMENTS
See report No 054/03 from Clerk, item 1
1. Ref: item 1.
Cllr Holliday reported that there was a new letting of one allotment.
E) PLANNING
See report No 055/03 from Clerk, items 1 – 4
1. Ref: item 1: New Wood Fence at Chipperfield Lodge, Langley Road
Cllr Nobbs reported that Decorum BC had refused retrospective planning permission, as it was harmful to the environment. Planning application had been received for the Gateway.
2. Ref item 2: The Two Brewers temporary capping to flint wall in The Street
Cllr Nobbs reported that the Two Brewers had been taken over by another company. As there is no immediate concern, another visit will happen in 5/6 months.
3. Ref item 3: ‘Chipperfield Housing Needs Survey’
This excellent report has now been received and Mr Adams, the Rural Housing Advisor will address the November Council meeting.
4. Ref item 4: ‘Planning Report from Committee, items 1 & 2’
Cllr Nobbs explained that the information in Appendix E was of recent planning applications.
Cllr Nobbs attended the Informal Inquiry for the planning appeal for Didsbury Cottage and Croft View (1794/02) and reported that parking was one of the main concerns and that the developers felt that this could be resolved.
The Council would like to record their thanks to Cllr Nobbs for dealing with all planning matters for the time being.
REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES
This item was deferred until the next Council meeting in November.
CORRESPONDENCE
All correspondence is circulating in the October bundle
REPORT OF THE CLERK
Nothing to report.
PAYMENTS DUE
See report 057/03
Resolved
Payment of all items listed is approved. Payment cheques prepared by the clerk.
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 to proposed expenditure by the Council.’
Resolved
Approved.
Resolved PART 2
TO AGREE AND CONFIRM APPOINTMENT OF CHIPPERFILED COMMON RANGER FOLLOWING PROBATIONARY PERIOD.
TO AGREE AND CONFIRM PLACEMENT OF ORDER TO ‘CHIPPERFILED VILLAGE MAP’
CHIIPPERFIELD PARISH COUNCIL – GRATUITY FUND
PURCHASE OF BENCH SEAT AT NUNFIELD
Part 1 meeting closed . Part 2 meeting closed at 10.00pm
Date of next meeting – Monday 10th November 2003