September 2003
Minutes of the Meeting of Chipperfield Parish Council, held in ‘The
Upper Room’ at St Paul’s Church extension, Chipperfield, on Monday 8 September 2003 at 8.00pm
PRESENT: Councillor Miss EA Holliday (Chairman)
Councillor MD Joseph (Vice-Chairman)
Councillors: DJ Nobbs, Mrs BA Berners Price, Mrs RV Wakeman
Borough Councillors: R Roberts, Mrs J Bradnock and G Adeleke
were present as observers.
At 8.00pm before commencement of the official agenda Mr Peter Jackson Chairman of the Chipperfield Social Club Working Party and Mr Richard Magee, member in charge of the finance sub-committee spoke on their plans for the redevelopment of the Club.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: were submitted on behalf of the Parish Clerk and Cllrs Carter, Jarrad, and Nichols.
74/03 THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF14 JULY: were approved and signed.
75/03 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mr Barry Woodham reported that he had recently moved back into the village and was concerned by the increase in aircraft noise. Cllr Holliday said she would find out the appropriate channel through which this concern should be passed and advise Mr Woodham of it.
76/03 REPORTS FROM BOROUGH AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS
Cllr Bradnock advised that in response to the ‘Investing in Your Health’ consultation, Herts County Council are supporting a modified plan, whereby a new hospital would be built at Hatfield, but Hemel Hempstead Hospital would be retained as an acute unit. She felt that this solution would be the most satisfactory one.
Cllr Roberts reported that a 52% recycling rate is being recorded for those areas where wheelie-bins have been installed for household refuse collection. Cllr Joseph reported how the implementation of the scheme in Queen Street had been unsatisfactory.
RESOLVED:
A representative of the Household Refuse Dept be requested to pay a site visit to meet residents individually to resolve their varied problems.
77/03 DECLARATION OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS
None were declared at the meeting.
78/03 REPORTS FROM THE CLERK ON BEHALF OF COMMITTEES
A) FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES
See report No 044/03 from Clerk, items 1-6
1. Ref item 1: ‘Investing in your Health’
RESOLVED:
The Chairman would respond to the consultation document to indicate the Parish
Council’s support for the County Council’s proposal outlined by Cllr Bradnock.
2. Ref item 2: Parish Borough Liaison Meeting 10 July 2003
RESOLVED:
No further action needed.
3. Ref item 3: Status of Grass Cutting, Croft Estate
RESOLVED:
A bill for the cost of the grass cutting performed by the Village Warden in the
absence of any work by the County Council be forwarded to the county authorities.
This would total £129.50 for his hours plus additional expenses.
4. Ref item 4: CPC Housing Needs Survey
Cllr Nobbs reported that a preliminary summary of the results had been received
from Duncan Adams, the Rural Housing Adviser, and that these would suggest
that a need for affordable housing has been established. Mr Adams has been invited
to address the November Council meeting.
5. Ref item 6: Letter of thanks to retired County Councillor Janet Anderson
RESOLVED:
The Chairman’s proposal to convey the Council’s thanks to County Cllr Anderson for her services over the years was endorsed.
B) HIGHWAYS, ROAD SAFETY ANDPUBLIC TRANSPORT
See report from Clerk 045/03
1. Ref item 1. Joint meeting of the Highways and Open Spaces Committees
Cllr Holliday reported that this had yet to be held. However progress had been made on one aspect of the plan to link up footpaths and bridleways. Mrs Tina Robinson of the Jasmine Safety Trust had proposed that a former track alongside Langley Road running from a spot opposite the Megg Lane exit to the fence opposite ‘Highcroft’ be reopened as a permissive bridleway and that this should be an effective improvement to road safety.
RESOLVED:
To support the Jasmine Safety Trust in their plans to re-open the horse-track.
C) OPEN SPACES AND FOOTPATHS
See report from Clerk 046/03
1. Ref item 1: Marking of disabled parking spaces at DBC public car park adj.
St Paul’s Church.
Cllr Holliday reported that the necessary paint had been acquired and the Village
Warden would be carrying out the task shortly.
2. Ref item 3: Parish Paths Partnership Programme for 2003-4
It was noted that the grant application for further improvement on footpath CF 14
is in hand. Cllr Holliday reported that the improvement of the footpath’s surface
had encouraged motor-cyclists to use the path. She is exploring with DBC the installation of barriers that would prevent access by motor-bikes, but not impede
people pushing children’s buggies.
3. Ref item 4: Village Audits
Cllr Holliday advised that no reports had been submitted by councillors.
RESOLVED;
All councillors should submit a report for the October meeting.
D) ALLOTMENTS
See report from Clerk 047/03
1. Ref item 1: Surfacing of upper end of centre path
RESOLVED:
That as the contractor cannot do the required work within budget, the project
be reconsidered.
E) PLANNING
See report from Clerk 048/03
1. Ref item 1. DBC Notices of Planning
Cllr Nobbs reported that the only planning application that raised problems since the last meeting was a retrospective application for approval of the new wooden
fence around the boundary of Chipperfield Lodge in Langley Road.
While wishing to see the fence removed, the Committee had recommended that time be given for a hedge, which the applicants had now proposed to plant in front of it, to establish itself first. However, the Woodland Officer had now advised that there was no chance of a suitable hedge establishing itself in that shady situation. The Planning Department were to suggest to the applicants that they place the fence further back. If they did not accept this, they would propose refusal of the application.
RESOLVED
Cllr Nobbs to advise DBC that the Parish Council endorses this proposal.
2. Dacorum Borough Local Plan
Cllr Nobbs reviewed the Planning Committee’s recommended reply to DBC’s
invitation to comment on their response to the Inspector’s proposed modifications to the Local Plan 1991-2011.
RESOLVED:
That a response along the proposed lines be submitted to the Borough Council.
3. Consultation Draft: Milton Keynes and South Midlands Sub-Regional Strategy
Cllr Nobbs advised that the implications for this strategy on our local area are minimal. The Planning Committee recommends that we respond to say that we have no comment to make at this stage.
RESOLVED:
Cllr Nobbs to respond accordingly.
4. Ref item 3. The Two Brewers temporary capping to flint wall in The Street
Cllr Nobbs reported that he has yet to follow this up.
79/03 REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES
B) VILLAGE HALL
The planned refurbishment work has been completed .
C) SCHOOL GOVERNOR
Cllr Wakeman reported that the new extension would be officially opened by the Bishop of Hertford on October 1.
E) MILLENNIUM SUB-COMMITTEE
Cllr Nobbs reported that the artwork for the Parish Map has now been completed and discussions with the printer are now being arranged.
80/03 CORRESPONDENCE
To be included in the September circulating ‘bundle’
81/03 REPORT OF THE CLERK
Nothing to report
82/03 PAYMENTS DUE
See report 050/03
RESOLVED:
Payment of all items listed is approved. Payment cheques to be prepared by the clerk.
83/03 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 expenditure by the Council.
RESOLVED:
Approved
PART 2
84/03 TO APPROVE THE NECESSARY APPOINTMENT AND EXPENSES FOR AN
EXPERIENCED ACCOUNTANT
85/03 TO CONSIDER AND AGREE PROVISION OF A RETIREMENT PENSION OF
EMPLOYEES
Part 1 meeting closed 9.30pm. Part 2 meeting closed 9.50pm
DATE OF NEXT MEETING – Monday 13 October 2003