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Clerk and Treasurer: Mrs S. Moffat Tel & FAX 01753-891582 e-mails 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, 26th FEBRUARY, 2007 AT 8P.M. 157 PRESENT Cllr Palmer (Chairman), Cllr Adams, Cllr B Allen, Cllr R Allen, Cllr Banham, Cllr Mrs Darby, Cllr Gupta, Cllr Horne, Cllr Moffat, Cllr Nowell, Cllr Mrs Smith, Cllr Warder, Cllr Watts and the Clerk. 158 QUARTER OF AN HOUR Avtah Hunter-Singh and Odele Caldecourt gave a presentation on the Chalfont St Peter Urban Art Subway Project. 8.05 p.m. Cllr Mrs Darby joined the meeting. They explained it would provide a positive contribution from the youth in the village using their talent and ability. The results would enhance the subway making it brighter and a safer link between the two sides of the village whilst working in partnership with many local bodies such as the police, schools and local authorities. Two skilled artists are involved in developing this project and training the youth. Risk assessments have been completed to ensure the project is carried out with adequate safety measures in place. The actual painting of the subway will hopefully commence next August. 8.10 p.m. Cllr Banham and Cllr Mrs Smith joined the meeting. Another important factor regarding this project is to educate young people about the difference between graffiti and art. 8.15 p.m. It was proposed, seconded and agreed to extend the Democratic Quarter of an Hour. Cllr Palmer expressed his full support for this project. Cllr B Allen responded by offering money from his Community Fund from Bucks C.C. 8.20 p.m. Cllr Warder joined the meeting. The Clerk explained that the Highway’s and Bridge’s Departments of Bucks C.C. already know about this project and have approved it. Cllr Palmer reiterated his support and asked to be informed when the painting of the subway starts. Next Sandy Warren and Tony Shinner, representatives of the Heritage Group (part of the Village Appraisal Group), presented their reasons for encouraging the Parish Council to allow the display of the heritage facsimiles to be held in the foyer area of the Council Offices. Sandy Warren explained the display would be at no cost to the Council as a grant has been received from Chiltern District Council to cover all the costs. The display would be self-explanatory consisting of a time-line, Domesday book exhibit and historic map, with the main wall exhibiting changing subject matter. The display will promote the history of the village which is not well-known to many inhabitants and this in turn will hopefully promote a sense of ownership and care by local people. The Parish Council Offices will be a good starting point and if a more central venue is found in the future, the Heritage Group will start again without ripping out the display units in the foyer. 8.45 p.m. It was agreed to extend the Democratic Quarter of an Hour. Cllr Palmer thanked Sandy Warren. Councillors then had the opportunity to ask questions. Martin Groves was present to briefly introduce himself as the new Community Chaplin from Gold Hill Baptist Church. He was committed to do things for the community particularly the deprived areas in Chalfont St Peter. He is also Chairman of the CSP NAGS Group. 159 TO ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies were received from Cllr Mrs Bacon and Cllr Nowell. 160 DECLARATION OF INTEREST Cllr Mrs Smith and Cllr Palmer declared a non-pecuniary interest in the Heritage Group being members of that group. 161 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING Minutes of the last meeting held on 29TH January, 2007, were considered and signed by the Chairman as a true record. 162 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE LAST MINUTES Minute 153 NSE – Two dates had been offered for the visit to the NSE; 11.a.m on 16th March and 2 p.m. on 3rd April. It was agreed to ask the NSE if visits could be made on both these dates. 163 CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS Urgent business has arisen resulting in an additional proposal under Minute 173. 164 CORRESPONDENCE • Booklets for borrowing:- Journal for Trading Standards, News of the Woods, Matters Arising and Chiltern News. • Thank you letter from Cllr Mrs Bacon for the bouquet of flowers. • Buckinghamshire Pathfinder Submission to Government- After the Local Government White Paper inviting councils to make proposals for their future governance arrangements, either as ‘unitary’, enhanced two tier, or enhanced two tier pathfinder, Bucks C.C. and the four District Councils have submitted to Government a joint application to become an ‘enhanced two tier pathfinder’ partnership. • Royal Garden party 19th July, 2007 – BALC has been nominated 4 invitations for this event and asked councillors if they wished to nominate their chairman. All councillors present agreed to nominate Cllr Palmer. • Notification of road closure of the High Street from the Greyhound roundabout to its junction with Market Place for two weeks commencing the 26th March, 2007. • Denham Aerodrome Consultative Committee – Minutes of the meeting held on 13th September, 2006 – Noted. 165 Reports of Committees Amenities and Planning on 12th February, 2007 Reports and recommendations were proposed and accepted as a true record. Matters Arising Minute 140A To Consider the Heritage Group using the Foyer area in the Council Offices for a Heritage Centre. After hearing from the Heritage Group in the Democratic Quarter of an Hour that the foyer would be used for display only and no other location was available, it was agreed to allow the foyer to be used by the Heritage Group with the following conditions:- 1. The Clerk is not expected to assist visitors to view the display; 2. Members of the Heritage Group would man the foyer during the published opening times of two hours a week; 3. The Parish Council will take no responsibility for damage of the displays; 4. The Heritage Group is liable for the maintenance and the upkeep of the displays and; 5. If either party wishes to terminate the agreement, three months notice will be required. Policy and Finance on 5th February, 2007 Reports and recommendations were proposed and accepted as a true record. Matters Arising Minute 65F To Consider Achieving Quality Status – It was agreed to set up a sub-committee consisting of the Clerk, Cllr Shafe, Cllr R Allen and Cllr Nowell. It was agreed that the Clerk’s time involved in this sub-committee would be kept to a minimum. 166 ACCOUNTS The following accounts were examined and, upon being found in order, cheques were signed on the proposition of Cllr Gupta, seconded by Cllr Horne:- Inland Revenue 1989.39 Bucks C.C. - superannuation 1340.47 CDC –Church Lane car park 2668.43 Southern Electric – unmetered electricity 345.17 BT plc – office phone 96.84 Thames Valley Police - PCSO 2952.00 Powergen – gas for premises 628.73 J & D Hobbs – soil and planings 528.75 Wybone Ltd – bins 1118.05 Green Brothers – signs 370.13 Jacksons Fine Fencing – vat not paid on last month’s cheque 115.80 Chiltern Citizens Advice Bureau - grant 250.00 CPRE – subscription 26.00 Green Brothers Ltd - for street light repairs 722.63 Phj solutions – computer network support 378.82 BT plc – broadband 123.30 DSGI Business – Front page software 164.49 Three Valleys Water – premises supply including leak allowance 3687.27 BT plc – line rental for second line 48.35 D Palmer – bouquet 28.00 Tyre and Tube Supplies Ltd – Landrover tyres 333.02 Geo Browns Implements Ltd – trimax blades x 2 sets 144.53 Imprest 500.00 Greenham – materials – 376 + 13.12 = 389.12 Grant & Stone – materials – 15.94 + 20.94 = 36.88 STANDING ORDERS AND DIRECT DEBITS 25.1.07– Salaries 5077.86 9.2.07 – British Gas Business – electricity for premises – 85.65 + 114.60 = 200.25 IMPREST ACCOUNT 29.1.07 E Wilson – NIC rebate 27.44 19.2.07- Cash – petty 100.00 19.1.07 M Alderton - cleaner 60.00 Petty cash checked 167 TO MODIFY SOME MEETING DATES IN 2007 Due to elections, CDC has changed a planning date from 1st June to 24th May. As a result of this, it was agreed to change the date of the Parish planning meeting from 29th May to Tuesday 22nd May. Also it was agreed to review the date of the Maria Taylor Carol Concert. Cllr Adams agreed to confer with the local schools to find a suitable date. 168 TO CONSIDER PARTICIPATING IN THE CELEBRATION OPEN DAY AT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE It was agreed to have a stand at the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Community Centre on Saturday, 29th September, 2007. 169 TO RESPOND TO THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION OF LIBRARY OPENING HOURS Government spending restrictions mean that Bucks C.C. services are facing budget pressure. In order to balance its budget for 2007/8, the library service is proposing to reduce opening hours in the majority of its libraries by an average of 11.6% across the County. It was agreed not to accept all the proposed closures. All day closure on a Thursday would only be acceptable if there was another opening time in the evening apart from Fridays. The completion of the questionnaire was delegated to the Clerk. 170 TO COMMENT ON THE CONSULTATION ON AMENDMENTS TO THE MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT FOR LOCAL AUTHORITY MEMBERS It was agreed to make no further comments. 171 TO DECIDE ON A SPEAKER FOR THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING The topic agreed was Chiltern Chalk Streams if a speaker was available. 172 COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS • Cllr Mrs Darby reported she had attended another PCT meeting and areas of financial savings have been identified. No mention was made about community hospitals. • Cllr Shafe reported that CSP NAG was holding an Open Forum on the 8th May, 2007 at Gold Hill Baptist Church from 7 to 9 p.m. Doors were open from 6p.m. to view stands from Community Groups. It was agreed that the Parish Council will have a stand at this event and that Cllr Shafe will co-ordinate this. Cllr Shafe went on to report that NAG was seeking funds as a reward for information to find the person who is spraying graffiti on buildings, play equipment and street furniture throughout the village. 173 THAT THE PARISH COUNCIL OFFERS £50, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE POLICE AND BUSINESS COMMUNITY, TOWARDS A REWARD FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE PROSECUTION OF THE PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR GRAFFITI IN THE VILLAGE This proposition was made, seconded and agreed unanimously. 174 CLERK’S REPORT Noted. Included in the report was information about the continuation of Chalfont St Peter Village Voice since it is no longer published in the local paper. The writer of Village Voice, Elaine Quigley, wishes to continue the column. At present it is published on the local web site and can be accessed by internet via chalfontstpeter.com/villagevoice. However Elaine Quigley also intends to display the newsletter on notice boards and local shops on a monthly basis and has asked for the help of the Parish Council. The Clerk has offered to provide copies of the newsletter each month. INFORMATION ITEMS 175 TELEPHONE KIOSK AT THE JUNCTION OF KINGSWAY AND PACKHORSE ROAD Cllr Banham reported a new cashless telephone has been installed. 176 CLIMATE CHANGE Cllr Moffat suggested the Parish Council should be considering energy saving devices for the Parish Offices by using the interest free loans offered by Bucks C.C. 177 WEB SITE Cllr Palmer asked when the web site would be updated in-house. The Clerk reported that this would take place once Cllr Watts was fully recovered from his recent illness and has time to offer his assistance. No other matters raised, the meeting closed at 10.15 p.m. |
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