Minutes of the meeting of Chipperfield Parish Council held in The Small Hall, The Common, Chipperfield on Monday 12th July 2010 at 7.30pm

Present Cllr M Bradshaw, (Chairman), Cllr M Joseph, (Vice-Chairman), Cllr Mrs M Anson, Cllr N Cronin, Cllr D Nobbs and Cllr Mrs P Southworth

Also present Clerk Mrs J Deacon

Meeting started at 7.30 prompt

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Public Participation – No police attendance this month:-

Dwelling burglary 0 Burglary other 0 Theft from Motor Vehicle 1

Theft of Motor Vehicle 0 Damage 0 Other crimes (incl, drugs/harassment) 3

Robbery/assault 0 Nuisance 0 Street assault 0

MINUTES

0219/10 CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Chairman announced details of the arrangements in case of fire or other events that might require the meeting room or building’s evacuation. Noted

0220/10 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Cllr Gruselle by reason of holiday and Cllr Fowler by reason of family commitments All agreed

0221/10 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

A personal interest was received from Cllr Nobbs for all matters relating to the Allotments Noted

0222/10 MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

It was Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 14th June 2010, be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Proposed Cllr Nobbs, seconded Cllr Anson All agreed

0223/10 MATTERS ARISING FROM THOSE MINUTES None

0224/10 REPORT FROM BOROUGH/COUNTY COUNCILLOR None

0225/10 COMPLAINTS RECEIVED – RELATING TO EITHER HERTS COUNTY COUNCIL (HCC), DACORUM BOROUGH COUNCIL (DBC) or CHIPPERFIELD PARISH COUNCIL (CPC) None

FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSE

0226/10 FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSE REPORT

A brief report was circulated previously on current issues. (Appendix 0226/10)

0227/10 RESERVES ALLOCATIONS

It was agreed to circulate the proposed list at the September meeting All agreed

0228/10 SPENDING VS BUDGET 1st QTR RESULTS

Clerk circulated copies of the spending vs. budget papers for the 1st Qtr. Clerk confirmed that the 1st Qtr always experiences higher spending due to payment of grants allocation and Council’s insurance and subscriptions. Clerk confirmed the budget appears to be on target.

Proposed Cllr Nobbs and Seconded Cllr Bradshaw All agreed

0229/10 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

It was RESOLVED that accounts amounting to £3,091.06 be paid plus £5,000 to be transferred from savings to current to cover payments for Aug/Sept.

Proposed Cllr Anson and Seconded Cllr Joseph All agreed

0230/10 POLICE – STREET BRIEFING

we have been recently advised that our local officers will only attend our meetings every other month as they have now created a “street briefing” session to be held alternate months at Blackwell’s from 12.30-13.00. However by the time we were informed it was too late to attend and there are no further details available. After discussion it was agreed to write the Community Sergeant with our concerns that we see no reason for the monthly attendance at Council meetings should stop and we require more information regarding this new initiative.

Proposed Cllr Anson and seconded Cllr Southworth All agreed

0231/10 POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR DEALING WITH ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

A brief report was given regarding the proposed draft. It was agreed that the content was acceptable and it is being incorporated as policy by most agencies. It was suggested we accept and acknowledge the content of the draft with a view to a link on the website once adopted by DBC.

Proposed Cllr Anson and seconded Cllr Joseph All agreed

PLANNING

0232/10 PLANNING REPORT

A brief report was circulated previously on current issues. (Appendix 0232/10) to include 1st Quarter results of planning decision up to 9 June:-

CPC/DBC in agreement: 1

CPC support/DBC refuse: 1

CPC oppose/DBC pass: 0

The one differing view is not considered an issue as our view was left with conservation officer to decide on the outcome.

It was reported that the Consultation Area Review has been timetabled for adoption by the DCC in September, once adopted the listed buildings will be recognised and protected by DBC during planning applications

0233/10 PLANNING APPLICATIONS & RESULTS

All of the following recommendations given by the Planning group were accepted by Full council, unless otherwise stated.

04/00879/10/FHA The White House, chapel Croft, Single storey front infill extension, two storey rear

Chipperfield extension and alterations

Chipperfield Parish Council objects to this application.

Whilst we agree with the points made in the Design and Access Statement that the proposed changes would help the property fit better into the Chapel Croft street scene, we are concerned that the rear extension may cut out the light from the neighbouring properties. As it is difficult to establish from the supporting documents whether the application meets the specific criteria for this, we would comment that providing DBC deem that it does we would support that application

0234/10 CORE STRATEGY FOR THREE RIVERS LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK

It was agreed that we submit representations on following 3 points:

1. The plans for 5000 new dwellings between 2001 and 2026 cannot be sound as the government has announced that such regional targets have been scrapped

2. Releasing surplus office space from employment use (Strategy CP6) should specifically mention consideration for use as affordable housing.

3. Reference to support for the R19 bus route (p.76) should be deleted as our section of the service has been cancelled.

OPEN SPACES AND ALLOTMENT

0235/10 OPEN SPACES AND ALLOTMENT REPORT

A brief verbal was given on current issues. Noted

0236/10 ALLOTMENT CLEARANCE

The Clerk reported that this year there are 4 plots (3 tenants) requiring enforcement action, an improvement from previous years attributed to the introduction of tenancy cultivation deposits. Due to the state of some older plots a proposal was put forward to request an outside contractor to cultivate the plots in readiness for immediate allocation to the waiting list. It was agreed that OS&A will look at this issue as a long term solution and report recommendations at next meeting. It was commented that we have never, as a general rule, cultivated plots, other than weed suppression, prior to allocation All agreed

0237/10 ALLOTMENT AGM

It was reported that a tenant request had been received to move the Allotment AGM to a date prior to the new allotment year in order to discuss the forthcoming rent rise. After discussion it was agreed to keep the timetable as previously agreed as we are gathering information and listening to tenants and staff on subjects to be addressed at the next AGM. One issue will be to discuss communications and meetings, including the date of future AGMs.

Proposed Cllr Cronin, seconded Cllr Anson All agreed

YOUTH AND EDUCATION

0238/10 REPORT FROM WORKING GROUP CHAIRMAN

It was confirmed that the Liz Holliday “Award for Writing” and the John Nichols “Memorial prize” awarded by the Parish Council were due to be given at a ceremony on Friday 16th July. The Chairman, Cllr Southworth and Mary Nobbs to attend on behalf of the Council Noted

HIGHWAYS, ROAD SAFETY AND TRANSPORT

0239/10 HIGHWAYS, ROAD SAFETY AND TRANSPORT REPORT None

0240/10 VAS

It was reported that the sign had once again failed recently and a report was forwarded to Herts Highways. However at present it is currently working. Herts Highways to confirm whether this was due to repair or coincidence. Highways to chase report from manufacturer re “battery problems” All agreed

0241/10 VILLAGE WELCOME SIGNS

It was confirmed that the size, style and proposed installation site had been forward to Herts Highways for a quotation, to be reviewed at next meeting. Until the installation costs are known it is difficult to know how many signs we can afford. Noted

0242/10 SUPPLEMENTARY ROADS REPORT

It was confirmed that the content of the report completed, however there were currently technical difficulties with publishing same, this to be completed for next meeting. Noted

02430/10 CORRESPONDENCE

It was reported that a briefing letter from Hertfordshire Police Authority had been received which explains the Authorities proposal to merge with Bedfordshire Police. Cllr Anson, Police Liaison, to review document in readiness for the forthcoming consultation Noted

0244/10 NEXT AGENDA ITEMS

AFFORDABLE HOUSES – CHAPEL CROFT

0245/10 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting is Monday 9th August @ 7.30 to be held in the Small Hall, The Common, Chipperfield

0246/10 PART 2

To consider that under Section 1 of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 that the Public and Press should be excluded during agenda item 0247/10 of this meeting in view of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted.

0247/10 CLERKS WORKLOAD

It was confirmed that Cllrs Gruselle and Bradshaw have now reviewed with the Clerk her current workload situation. Clerk confirmed this was a productive meeting and all areas of concern are being discussed. The issue of allotments was still a main factor of workload pressures, but she was satisfied that OS&A and the proposed new Allotment Group may help resolve this ongoing issue. Follow up required including audit in the near future for both filing/storage and IT security. Clerk thanked t he Council for their support Noted