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Clerk and Treasurer: Mrs S. Moffat Tel & FAX 01753-891582 e-mail smoffat@chalfontstpeter-pc.gov.uk MINUTES OF THE DULY CONVENED MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL OF CHALFONT ST PETER HELD IN THE COUNCIL OFFICES, CHALFONT ST PETER, ON MONDAY, 17th MARCH, 2008 AT 8P.M. One minutes silence was held in memory of Cllr Michael Miller who died last week. 132. PRESENT Cllr R Allen (Chairman), Cllr Adams, Cllr B Allen, Cllr Mrs Bacon, Cllr Beane, Cllr Mrs Brooke, Cllr Mrs Darby, Cllr Mrs Harper, Cllr Heath, Cllr Mrs Smith and S Moffat (Clerk) 133. DEMOCRATIC QUARTER OF AN HOUR Representatives from VOPAG were present to ask the Parish Council to consider purchasing a permanent ‘Hearing Loop’ system to be installed in the Council’s meeting room to assist those who have hearing difficulties. Mrs Jeffery, the past Chairman of VOPAG, explained at present VOPAG uses a portable ‘Hearing Loop’ system borrowed from Paradigm Housing and this makes a big difference at the meetings for those who have hearing difficulties. The portable system has disadvantages as it has to be laid out for each meeting and has trailing wires. Mrs Jeffery believed there could be grants available to the Parish Council to assist in the purchasing of a permanent loop system. Cllr Mrs Darby asked if grants would be available for the small number of hours the meeting room is used? Mrs Jeffery replied as long as there are regular meetings she believed grants would be available. Cllr Adams asked if VOPAG would consider contributing towards this but Mrs Jeffery replied VOPAG only had limited resources. 134. APOLOGIES Apologies were received from Cllrs Quigley, B Smith, Warder and Nowell. 135. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS None were declared. 136. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING Minutes of the last meeting held on 25th February, 2008 were considered and signed by the Chairman as a true record after amending the spelling mistake from styles to stiles in Minute 122 and the date to 25.2.08 in Minute 123. MATTERS ARISING Minute 122 Policy and Finance meeting on 4th February, 2008 Cllr R Allen stated the Council had not addressed the urgency of setting up a Personnel/HR committee. In order to hasten the process Cllr Mrs Darby proposed an HR Working Party should be set up immediately. This was seconded by Cllr B Allen and agreed. The Working Party will consist of Cllr R Allen, Cllr B Smith, Cllr Heath and Cllr Mrs Brooke and will report back to main Council. 137. CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENT Cllr R Allen thanked those who attended the opening of the refurbishment of the Coronation Clock on the 13th March, 2008. 138. CORRESPONDENCE Booklets for borrowing:- CSP Parish Magazine for March, The Official Journal of NALC, Clerks and Councils Direct, Chiltern Chronicle, the Clerk. Notification of Chiltern District Council’s position with regard to graffiti removal. Noted Bucks C C ‘s request for assistance to report defective illuminated signs and bollards as well as street lights. Noted. Public meetings by Bucks C.C. on Preferred Options for its Minerals and Waste Core Strategy will be held at Gerrards Cross Community Hall on 2nd April and Curzon Centre, Beaconsfield on 8th April, 2008. Invitation to the AGM of Age Concern on 22nd April at 2 pm. in CSP Community Centre. 139 REPORTS OF COMMITTEES Amenities and Planning on 3rd March, 2008 Reports and recommendations were proposed, seconded and accepted as a true record. 140 ACCOUNTS The following accounts were examined and, upon being found in order, cheques were signed on the proposition of Cllr Mrs Smith, seconded by Cllr M Beane:-
141 TO CONSIDER ADDING A REVIEW ACTION ITEMS, AS THE FIRST ITEM ON ALL MEETING AGENDAS AND TO HENCEFORTH TAG IN MINUTES ALL DECISIONS REQUIRING AN ACTION WITH THE HEADER ACTION ITEM ALONG WITH A COMPLETION DATE AND THE NAME OF THE PERSON APPOINTED TO CARRY OUT THAT ACTION. ACTION ITEMS TAGGED IN MINUTES ARE THEN REVIEWED IN THE NEXT MEETING This proposal was seconded and agreed. 142 TO CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF A LOOP SYSTEM FOR THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING ROOM The Clerk has sought two quotes and the cost for a permanent loop system is approximately £1400.It was agreed to investigate grants available should the Council decide to proceed. The Clerk to ask BALC and Cllr B Allen to ask Bucks C.C. about the availability of grants.The Council agreed to provide a rubber cover for the wires of the temporary loop system used by VOPAG which the Clerk will purchase. The Clerk to check the Council’s insurance includes cover for public meetings. 143 TO DECIDE ON A SPEAKER FOR THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING ON 15TH MAY, 2008 AND TO AGREE THE MANUFACTURE OF A BANNER TO BE USED TO ADVERTISE THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING The previous proposal is not possible as the speaker is unable to attend. It was agreed to ask CPRE if a speaker is available to talk on ‘How to preserve Chalfont St Peter as an ideal village in rural England’. It was agreed to pay travelling expenses up to £100 if required. It was also agreed to purchase a banner up to £300 to advertise the event each year. The banner to read ‘ CSP Parish Council Annual Public Meeting, date (to be changeable) , Council Office at 7.30 p.m. The Clerk to organise the request for a speaker and the purchase of the banner. 144 TO APPROVE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE MARKET SIGN PROJECT FUNDED BY BG ALLEN Several years ago Cllr Allen had provided funds to erect a new name sign for Market Place on the corner wall of the greengrocer’s shop in-keeping with the sign shown in old photographs. This did not come to fruition due to a mix up over the design. There is approximately £1,600 available in this fund. If required, Cllr Mrs Bacon and Cllr BG Allen offered to provide more funding out of next year’s Community Leadership fund from Bucks C.C. The Clerk will organise a quote. Cllr BG Allen will ask the owner of the wall for his permission to erect the sign. The project will be discussed again at the next Council meeting. 145 TO CONSIDER AND ACTION OUR WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THE RESIDENTS LIVING AROUND THE CAR PARK WHO HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE RECYCLING BINS AND ATTENDED TWO COUNCIL MEETINGS The Clerk informed Council she has already responded to these residents and has given them a copy of the response to the Parish Council from Chiltern District Council regarding the issues raised. 146 TO CONSIDER RENEWING THE ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION TO BALC AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYERS SERVICES (LGE) The cost for renewing the subscription for BALC is £1,310.74 and LGE is £359. It was proposed, seconded and agreed to renew both subscriptions. 147 TO AGREE TO ENTER THE ‘BEST KEPT VILLAGE COMPETITION 2008’ AND TO CONSIDER WAYS OF PROMOTING THIS IN THE COMMUNITY This competition is run by BALC and costs £8 to enter. It was agreed to enter the competition. At the next Open Spaces meeting it was agreed to examine last year’s score and comments made by the judges in order to make improvements for this year’s judging. Also to engage the Public’s interest at the Annual Parish meeting in helping towards keeping the Village at its best. 148 TO CONSIDER PURCHASING A PRESENTATION PLAQUE TO CSP YOUTH CLUB IN RECOGNITION OF THE WORK CARRIED OUT REPAINTING THE SUBWAY It was agreed to purchase a plaque with the following wording:- ‘Presented to CSP Youth Club by the Parish Council for their Urban Art Project in 2007’. The Clerk will organise this for 28th March, 2008. 149 TO NOTE THE INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF MEMBERS ALLOWANCES PANEL – ALLOWANCES FOR 2008/09 Noted. RESPOND TO THE BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LOCALITY STRATEGY CONSULTATION It was agreed the Council was unable to respond to this consultation until it is fully conversant on this subject. CONSIDER THE REQUEST FROM THE LOCAL AREA COORDINATOR OF THE GC2C TEAM TO HOST AN INFORMAL MEETING IN THE COUNCIL PREMISES FOR THE LOCAL AREA FORUM AT 7 P.M. ON THURSDAY, 8TH MAY, 2008 This was agreed. 152 TO CONSIDER HAVING A STAND AT CSP NAG ANNUAL MEETING ON THE 7TH MAY, 2008 It was agreed not to have a stand. COUNCILLORS REPORTS Cllr Mrs Bacon Cllr Mrs Bacon reported at the last meeting of the Oxford and Bucks Joint Mental Health Trust the situation regarding the sale of Debenham House has reached a critical stage as it has now gone to arbitration. Cllr Adams Cllr Adams reported the St Peter’s Feast Day would not be going ahead this year. Cllr R Allen asked for this to be reviewed at the next Council meeting. Cllr Mrs Darby Cllr Mrs Darby said she was reporting on behalf of Cllr B Smith. CSP NAG Group are asking parish councils to contribute £400 each towards funding a community speed watch device for use for the two NAG groups at CSP and Chalfont Hills. This proposal was made, seconded and agreed. Also CSP NAG Group is asking for contributions
towards a ‘seven day speed survey’ to be conducted in
the Village. This would cost between £110 to £130 per
survey. CSP Safety Group has already contributed £440
towards this. It was agreed this Council would not
contribute towards this scheme. |
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