Chalfont St Peter Parish Council Minutes - May 2008

MINUTES OF THE DULY CONVENED MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL OF CHALFONT ST PETER HELD IN THE COUNCIL OFFICES, CHALFONT ST PETER, ON MONDAY 19TH MAY, 2008 AT 8 P.M.

1          PRESENT

Cllr R Allen (Chairman), Cllr K Adams, Cllr B Allen,   Cllr Mrs Bacon, Cllr Beane, Cllr Mrs Brooke, Cllr Mrs I Darby, Cllr Mrs Harper, Cllr Heath, Cllr Nowell, Cllr B Smith Cllr Mrs L Smith, Cllr Quigley, Cllr Dr Warder and the Clerk.

2. DEMOCRATIC QUARTER OF AN HOUR
Sandy Warren, from the Environment Group of the Village Appraisal, gave a presentation of the A413 project as first presented to the Parish Council in 2003. The main points include:-
a) Field Gates along the A413 as vehicles enter the Village by the junction to the Paddocks at one side and by the yellow road strips at the other side.
b) Buffer zones to reduce speed as vehicles approach the Village.
c) ‘Pick a Line’ to ensure traffic approaches the Greyhound roundabout in the correct lane.
d) Zebra crossing to combine the two sides of the Village. The Parish Council first prioritised this as a project for the Delegated Budget Scheme. This was supported by the ‘Routes to Schools Scheme’ and the Environment Group and now the zebra crossing is near completion.
e) Softening of the landscape along the A413 with wild flowers and small trees.
f) Improved signage such as a ‘Historic Village’ sign. As a result of this suggestion the Environment Group commissioned the College of Heraldry to make an insignia for Chalfont St Peter which the Parish Council funded and all community groups can use.

At the proposition of Cllr Adams, seconded by Cllr Mrs Darby, it was agreed to extend the Democratic Quarter of an Hour.
Cllr R Allen mentioned an article from the Telegraph about reducing mowing regimes on village greens to promote the growth of diversity of flora.
Cllr R Allen thanked Sandy Warren for the presentation.

3          ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
On the proposition of Cllr Mrs Brooke, seconded by Cllr Heath, Cllr R Allen was nominated as Chairman. No other nominations being received, Cllr R Allen was duly elected for the ensuing year.

4.         ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN
On the proposition of Cllr R Allen, seconded by Cllr Nowell, Cllr Mrs Darby was nominated as
Vice-Chairman. No other nominations being received, Cllr Mrs Darby was duly elected for the ensuing year.

5.         TO ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None.

6.         DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS
None were received.

7.         ELECTION OF AMENITIES AND PLANNING AND OPEN SPACES COMMITTEES
Open Spaces
It was agreed for the membership of this committee to be as follows:- Cllr R Allen, Cllr Mrs Bacon, Cllr Mrs Darby, Cllr Mrs Harper, Cllr Heath, Cllr Quigley and Cllr Mrs Smith.
Amenities and Planning
It was agreed for the membership of this committee to be as follows:- Cllr Adams,  Cllr R Allen,  Cllr B Allen, Cllr Beane, Cllr Mrs Brooke, Cllr Mrs Darby, Cllr B Smith and Cllr Mrs Smith.

8.         ELECTION OF CHAIRMEN AND VICE-CHAIRMEN OF AMENITIES AND PLANNING AND OPEN SPACES COMMITTEES
Open Spaces
Upon the proposition of Cllr Mrs Darby, seconded by Cllr Mrs Smith, members of this committee elected Cllr Mrs Bacon as Chairman for the ensuing year. Upon the proposition of Cllr Mrs Bacon, seconded by Cllr Heath, members of this committee elected Cllr Mrs Harper as Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year.

Amenities and Planning
Upon the proposition of Cllr B Allen, seconded by Cllr R Allen, members of this committee elected Cllr Adams as Chairman for the ensuing year. Upon the proposition of Cllr Adams, seconded by Cllr Mrs Darby, members of this committee elected Cllr Mrs Brooke as Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year.

9. ELECTION OF POLICY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
It was agreed for the membership of this committee to be as follows:- Cllr Adams,  Cllr R Allen,  Cllr Mrs Bacon, Cllr Mrs Brooke, Cllr Mrs Darby, Cllr Mrs Harper, Cllr Nowell and Cllr Warder.

10. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE POLICY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
Upon the proposition of Cllr Mrs Harper, seconded by Cllr R Allen, members of this committee elected Cllr Mrs Darby as Chairman for the ensuing year. Upon the proposition of Cllr Mrs Darby, seconded by Cllr R Allen, members of this committee elected Cllr Mrs Brooke as Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year.

8          REPRENTATIVES ON LOCAL BODIES
Representatives on local bodies were agreed as shown on attached list. Amendments to the original list were:-
a) Chiltern Hundreds Housing Association – Cllr B Allen is no longer a County representative and a parish council representative is no longer required.
b) CSP NAG’s – Cllr B Allen is the County representative, Cllr Mrs Darby is the District representative and Cllr B Smith is the Parish Council representative.
c) Village Guide - Cllr Mrs Brooke and Cllr Mrs Harper are the Parish Council representatives.
d) BALC – Cllr Warder is the District representative.
e) The Village Safety Group is now called the Community Safety Group.
f) Cllr Mrs Harper volunteered to replace the late Cllr Miller on the Village Appraisal Steering Group.

9          MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
Due to the lateness of receiving the minutes, it was agreed to defer the approval of the minutes of the last meeting held on 28th April, 2008. However Cllr Nowell pointed out that Minute 171 should read ‘ he was pleased to see the River Misbourne was flowing’.
Cllr Mrs Bacon said Minute 158/153 should read the’ Bucks and Oxford Mental Health Foundation Trust’.
Cllr Mrs Darby said Minute 171 should read,’Cllr Heath raised issues regarding the damaged road sign on Austenwood Common’.

10. REVIEW ACTION ITEMS

11.CORRESPONDENCE

• Booklets for borrowing:- CSP Parish Magazine for May, Matters Arising, Travel choice Team News from Bucks C.C., Local Council Review, Chiltern News.
• Invitation to the River Misbourne Project, ‘Operation Declutter’ on Saturday 7th June 2008 between 9.30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Invitation to the opening of the ‘Stile free’ footpath on 31st May, 2008.
• Invitation to the 11th Annual Forum of Chilterns Chalk Streams Project on 5th June, 2008 at St Albans.
• CSP Community Association‘s Newsletter – the Executive Committee has set itself the task of securing a new Community Centre by the 60th anniversary of the Association in 2017.

12. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES 
Amenities and Planning on 6th May, 2008
Reports and recommendations were proposed, seconded and accepted as a true record.

13. ACCOUNTS – CHEQUES TO BE SIGNED
Cheques signed out of Council by Cllr Mrs Darby and Cllr Mrs Smith:-

Cheques signed out of Council by Cllr Mrs Darby and Cllr R Allen:-

CHEQUES FOR SIGNING IN COUNCIL IN MAY 2008

14.TO RENEW THE COUNCIL’S INSURANCE FOR 2008-09
The Chairman, Cllr R Allen, and the Clerk had considered the two insurance quotes. Cllr R Allen went on to explain that the Insurance Broker, Came and Company, has offered a council insurance with Norwich Union at a similar price to Allianz but with better cover and less exclusions.
Cllr Mrs Darby, Cllr Beane, Cllr Mrs Smith and Cllr Mrs Brooke declared an interest in this agenda item being shareholders in Norwich Union.
The remaining councillors agreed to proceed with the Norwich Union Insurance offer for a one year term.

15. TO DISCUSS THE CANDIDATES FOR CO-OPTION FOR THE VACANCY OF PARISH COUNCILLOR AND TO ARRANGE INTERVIEWS
There is one candidate for this vacancy. It was agreed for the Clerk to ask this candidate to provide a curriculum vitae to be circulated to councillors for comment. Cllrs R Allen, Mrs Darby and Adams would then interview the candidate at a date to be arranged.

16. TO CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF A LOOP SYSTEM FOR THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING ROOM
Deferred until the next meeting.

17. TO APPROVE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE MARKET SIGN PROJECT FUNDED BY BG ALLEN
Cllr B Allen informed the Council that permission has been received from the owner of the wall where the sign will be placed as long as the Parish Council organises the relocation of the Leisure Centre sign. Cllr B Allen also suggested that the Parish Council may wish to organise the repainting of the wall before the sign is installed. The Clerk has received a quote of £1650.50 for the new sign which includes installation. It was resolved for the Clerk to seek a quote for the painting of the wall and for councillors to look up the web site to view samples. (www.damarsigns.co.uk).

18. TO RESPOND TO THE CONSULTATION ON ‘TERMINAL CONTROL NORTH PROPOSED CHANGES TO AIRSPACE’
It was agreed for Cllr Nowell to redraft his paper on this subject which would be circulated to councillors for comment.

19. REPORTS FROM PERSONNEL/HR COMMITTEE AND WORKING PARTIES INCLUDING THEIR TERMS OF REFERENCE
Cllr R Allen reported the aims of the Working Parties were to reorganise the internal structure of the Parish Council in order to engage in issues that affect the whole village. The speaker from the CPRE brought up this concern at the Annual Parish meeting last week that authorities must be proactive in issues regarding large scale development in the village before these developments reach the planning application stage. This way the community is more likely to have what it wants and not what it gets.
Cllr B Smith reported he is on the second draft of the interim report which will be circulated shortly. This covers:-

• structural/strategic levels
• delivery level
• committees’ action level
• administration level.

Hopefully the draft will be agreed at the next Council meeting.

Cllr R Allen went on to say it was the Fortieth Anniversary of the flattening of Chalfont St Peter as it was 1968 when the A413 by-pass was built which flattened a large part of the village centre. Hopefully if the Parish Council acts quickly regarding the Convent development this will remove the detrimental affect this may have on the Village. The CPRE suggested starting a petition regarding the Convent. The Parish Council should make an announcement to the Village and get the community involved in a plan for Chalfont St Peter.
Cllr B Smith said a Communication and IT committee is being proposed. The web site will be revamped and will take on board the big issues such as the Convent development.
Cllr Mrs Smith informed the Council the Village Appraisal Group has started a Village Design Statement which included the listed buildings in Chalfont St Peter. The Village Design Statement can be adopted by Chiltern District Council and come part of the Chiltern Plans.
Cllr Quigley said the Parish Council should list the aid of the Bucks Advertiser in these campaigns.
Cllr Mrs Darby said the Parish Council should find out from the public what change is wanted particularly as there are three big possible changes threatening the Village being Newlands Park, NSE and the Convent.
Cllr R Allen concluded that the Parish Council must make the whole of the Parish involved in these changes otherwise it will be a classic case of ‘don’t know what you get until it’s done’.

20 COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
Cllr Mrs Darby
Cllr Mrs Darby had attended the CSP NAG’s AGM. This was not particularly well attended but this could reflect that people are satisfied with the policing in the Village. The Police are pleased that anti-social behaviour is no longer a burning issue but it has been replaced with three new issues being parking, speeding and road conditions. NAG will focus on these issues for the following year.
Cllr Quigley
Cllr Quigley reported residents overlooking Church Lane car park were concerned about young people playing foot ball in the car park after 1a.m.
Cllr Adams
Cllr Adams reported all the signs outside the Greyhound have been removed apart from the Estate Agent’s sign.

Cllr Mrs Brooke
Cllr Mrs Brooke asked for a letter to be sent to CSP Village Association thanking them for the St George’s Day flags.
Cllr Heath
Cllr Heath reported Boundary Road playground has not been cut this year and there were overhanging branches along the footpaths by St Joseph School . The Clerk responded that these areas are not maintained by the Parish Council but she would report these matters to the relevant authorities.  He also went on to the mention there were stingy nettles along the footpath from the First School to Narcot Lane. The Clerk would look in to this matter.
Cllr Mrs Bacon
Cllr Mrs Bacon reported that as a result of the talk by the CPRE she asked Bucks County Council to carry out a traffic survey along the roads serving the Grange that is Gold Hill East, Market Place and Lower Road. She was informed that Bucks C. C. would not institute a traffic survey until a planning application has been received. She was now considering if a survey could be carried out by the community.
Cllr Mrs Harper
Cllr Mrs Harper asked how the Parish Council would respond to the presentation given at the Democratic Quarter of an Hour. Cllr R Allen replied that the Outside Bodies Working Party has asked CDC for a meeting with the different groups operating in the Village. This meeting would hopefully provide the way forward.
Cllr Mrs Brooke
Cllr Mrs Brooke asked about the Highways list. The Clerk would be circulating this.

21. CLERK’S REPORT
Noted.

No other business being raised the meeting closed at 10.05 p.m.

Chalfont St Peter Parish Council
Committees May 2008
CHAIRMAN – Cllr Richard Allen
VICE- CHAIRMAN – Cllr Mrs Isobel Darby

NB Chairman and Vice-chairman of the Council sit on all committees. Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Amenities and Planning and Open Spaces sit on Policy and Finance Committee.
Quorum - Full Council:  0ne third i.e. 5
                 Committees: One half of the number of members

PROPOSED COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES FOR OUTSIDE BODIES