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CHALFONT ST PETER PARISH COUNCIL Council office, adj. The Community Centre, Gravel Hill, Chalfont St Peter, Bucks,SL9 9QX 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 COMMUNITY CENTRE, CHALFONT ST PETER, ON MONDAY 21st JULY, 2003 AT 8 P.M. 40 PRESENT Cllr J Banham (Chairman), Cllr B Allen, Cllr Mrs J Bacon, Cllr M Cocksedge, Cllr V Gupta, Cllr A Moffat, Cllr D Palmer, Cllr Mrs L Smith, Cllr Dr J Warder, Cllr A Watts and the Clerk. 41 DEMOCRATIC QUARTER OF AN HOUR Megan Wall , Project Leader of 'My Bit of Britain' Group, informed the Council about the success at Chipstead Housing Estate on Saturday, 12th July, 2003 when volunteers spent a day clearing the site of rubbish. The area was much improved but there was still more work to be done. In order to continue the project during the summer Mrs Wall asked the Council if it would pay for the hire of 2 more skips. Members of the Council congratulated Mrs Wall on her work and would be making a decision about her request when the agenda item was raised at this meeting. Tony Wallace, spokesman on behalf of a number of residents in the Monument Lane area, wished to present to the Parish Council their objection to the proposed development at the site of National Society for Epilepsy (NSE). They objected to the NSE selling 16 acres of land for the development of just over 200 houses in a Green Belt area and the effect this would have on local traffic. Mr Wallace asked for the help of the Parish Council in opposing this development. Members of the Council informed the group that it could make no decision until the formal Planning Application had been examined at the Amenities and Planning Committee but their views would be taken in to consideration. It was also pointed out that the public had the right to respond to the NSE during the consultation period. Also written objections should be sent to Chiltern District Council once the planning application has been made. At the proposition of Cllr Mrs Bacon, seconded by Cllr Banham the Democratic Quarter of an Hour was extended. If the planning application was refused by CDC, NSE did have the right to go for appeal. Alternatively, if the planning application was approved it would still have to be submitted to the Secretary of State for approval as it is in Green Belt land. Residents were welcome to observe at the Amenities and Planning Committee meeting when the planning application would be discussed and the Clerk would keep them informed of this. 42 TO ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies were received from Cllr Mrs I Darby, Cllr M Horne, Cllr Mrs A West, Cllr N Collins and Cllr K Adams. 43 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS None were received. 44 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING Minutes of the last meeting held on 23rd June, 2003, were considered and signed by the Chairman as a true record. 45 MATTERS ARISING None were raised. 46 CHAIRMANS ANNOUNCEMENTS The Chairman announced that a discrepancy had been found between Standing Orders and the traditional format of the council agenda. This matter would be referred to the next Policy and Finance meeting. Also Item 13 on the agenda would be taken before Item 6 and item 21 on the agenda would be taken before Item 20. 47 TO CONSIDER THE CO-OPTION OF 2 COUNCILLORS FOR CHALFONT COMMON WARD At the final stage of the co-option procedure, Cllr Moffat proposed, seconded by Cllr Allen, that Mr Cocksedge and Mr Watts should be co-opted as parish councillors for the Chalfont Common Ward. This was agreed unanimously. The two new councillors would fill the 2 vacancies on the Open Spaces Committee. 48 TO APPROVE THE FUNDING OF 2 SKIPS AT CHIPSTEAD FROM THE SAFETY GROUP FUND. At the proposition of Cllr Allen, seconded by Cllr Palmer, it was agreed unanimously that the Council would fund 2 skips from the budget of the Safety Group grant. 49 CORRESPONDENCE Booklets for borrowing:- Journal of Trading Standards, The Woodland Trust Annual Review, Chiltern Chalk Streams Project. Getting a School Place - Proposed changes to School admissions and Secondary School Catchment areas from September 2005 - Noted. Thames Valley Police - update on non-emergency call-handling - Noted. CDC Performance Plan for 2003-4 - Noted. 50 REPORTS OF COMMITTEES Open Spaces on 30th June, 2003 Reports and recommendations were accepted on the proposition of Cllr Mrs Bacon, seconded by Cllr Moffat. Amenities and Planning on 7thJuly, 2003 Reports and recommendations were accepted on the proposition of Cllr Palmer, seconded by Cllr Banham. Matters Arising Planning Application 03/1087, Craighead - CDC's decision should be known by the next meeting. Land Sub-Committee on 9th July, 2003 Reports and recommendations were accepted on the proposition of Cllr Palmer, seconded by Cllr Moffat. 51 ACCOUNTS The following accounts were examined and, upon being found in order, the following cheques were signed on the proposition of Cllr Moffat and seconded by Cllr Palmer. Inland Revenue 1623.28 Bucks C.C. - superannuation 1126.56 CDC - Church Lane car park 2345.59 Southern Electric Contracting Ltd - quarterly repair charge 1051.78 Southern Electric - unmetered 324.81 Chalfont Web Design - set up of web site 924.55 M & G Book-Keeping Services - internal audit 176.25 The Belvedere Motor Co - service and m.o.t. of Landrover 279.50 Viking Direct - stationery 104.14 Society of Local Clerks - membership application 78.00 Risborough Agricultural Services Ltd - tractor repair 297.33 Playground Management Ltd - ROSPA report 291.99 Golf and Turf - parts for trimax 141.71 W.H.Carden Ltd - wood 2.82 Glasdon U.K. Ltd - litter bin sponsored by Cllr Lole (to be reimbursed) 334.31 Gemini C.C.S.Ltd - memorial plaque 71.91 Hi-Q - puncture repairs invs - 27.73+39.89+203.16+87.40+29.32+7.05= 394.55 Imprest Account - to return to 1900 478.00 Standing Orders and Direct debit 25.7.03 -SO - salary 1262.29 25.7.03 SO - salary 950.42 25.7.03 SO - salary 1057.45 11.7.03 - salary 229.80 18.7.03 - salary 229.80 25.7.03 - salary 229.80 1.7.03 - Direct Debit - council room rates 60.00 Imprest Account 26.6.03 P.West -overtime 148.30 26.6.03 - P Isom - overtime 230.19 9.7.03 - petty cash 100.00 Petty cash checked 52 To approve the 'Statement of Assurance' for the External Auditor The Statement of Assurance was approved unanimously. 53 TO CONSIDER REVISING COUNCIL'S MEETING DATES BETWEEN SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER, 2003 The revised meeting dates have been approved. The Council meeting in December would be on 15th and the Chairman invited councillors to invite their spouses for drinks afterwards. 54 TO COMMENT ON THE NEW APPLICATION: COMMUNITY PREMISES LICENCE, CHALFONT PARK SPORTS ASSOCIATION Cllr Watts declared an interest in this agenda item as a Director on the Board of the CSPA so declined to comment. At the proposition of Cllr Moffat, seconded by Cllr Gupta, it was agreed to support this application. 55 TO CONSIDER THE INVITATION FROM BUCKS AND MILTON KEYNES FIRE AUTHORITY TO JOIN IN THE CONSULTATION ON 'MAKING YOU SAFER' Cllr Cocksedge volunteered to join in this consultation process on behalf of the Parish Council and report back. 56 TO CONSIDER WORKING TOWARDS BECOMING A 'QUALITY PARISH' After much discussion it was agreed that Chalfont St Peter Parish Council already had many attributes associated with a DEFRA designated 'Quality Parish' and did not need, at the expense of the ratepayer, additional bureaucratic expenditure to become a designated 'quality parish' with no foreseeable benefits. Therefore at the proposition of Cllr Mrs Smith, seconded by Cllr Mrs Bacon , it was agreed unanimously not to work towards becoming a 'Quality Parish' as petitioned by DEFRA.. This decision may be reviewed after 6 months. 57 THE RESULTS OF THE BUCKS KEPT VILLAGE COMPETITION Chalfont St Peter came runners up to Princes Risborough in the Pushman Cup with a score of 87%. The Chairman thanked the Hay Wardens and the litter pickers for their work. Cllr Palmer asked for the purchase of tabards and 'A' boards for litter picking to be raised at the next Policy and Finance meeting 58 TO CONSIDER EMPLOYING A 'VILLAGE WARDEN' Please see Minute 23P of the last Open Spaces Meeting. Cllr Moffat stated that this would be a positive step for the Parish Council to take to show the public that it is actively doing something to combat vandalism and anti-social behaviour in the area. The Village Warden could also carry out litter picking and bin emptying which would help to resolve the problem of litter building up over week-ends. Cllr Mrs Bacon pointed out that if the Parish Council proceeded with this idea, the HayWardens should be consulted during the discussion stages. It was agreed this proposal was a good idea but there were several other aspects to consider such as safety and funding. Liaison with the District's Community Safety Officer and the Police would be beneficial. This proposition was referred to the Policy and Finance committee for further consideration. Cllr Mrs Smith to ask CDC about the availability of funding from District. Also Cllr Banham proposed and it was agreed, that the need to provide office support for the Clerk should be considered by Policy and Finance Committee at the same time. 59 REPORT ON THE MEETING OF PARISH COUNCILLORS WITH THE EXECUTIVE OF CDC The following topics were discussed:- Future increase in charges at Church Lane car park. Cllr Moffat pointed out that the method of collecting money from the Parish Council to pay for the free parking was an easy source of income for CDC with few costs attached. Cllr Phillips, Leader of CDC, did believe that the Parish Council was paying for free parking at a cheap rate and costs were under review in line with best value as brought about by the Government. CSP Community Centre rates - The lease would be ended next year and the rates would be increased in line with best value. Cllr Palmer was concerned that rents may increase too much and then users could no longer afford to pay for the facilities the Community Centre provided. It was pointed out that hopefully increased costs would be taken into consideration when grants are determined by CDC. Sale of land in Gravel Hill - CDC now want to purchase this land and will not help the Parish Council to do so. If CDC are successful in the purchase, it would discuss the use of the land with the Parish Council. Quality Parishes - CDC did not see any advantages in becoming a Quality Parish. Planning items - possible development of Newlands Park, NSE and land owned by Baptist Church along the old Lower Road. CDC is in the process of producing a new District Plan and if the Parish Council wish to comment on this it should do so now. There may be changes to the Green Belt area but not large changes. The development at Newlands Park would be difficult as it is a big site with serious access problems. No comment was made about the possible Lower Road development. The NSE have to comply by 2005 to National Care Standards resulting in upgrading its facilities so are hoping to find the additional money to do this by selling off some of its land for development. CDC are in the process of discussions with NSE to make this an exceptional site through the new District Plan process and is anxious that the Parish Council supports CDC. Hopefully, with proper consultation with NSE, CDC would have better control over the planning application. 60 TO RESPOND TO THE QUESTIONS RAISED ON 'A CONSULTATION PAPER ON THE NATURE OF THE POWER TO BE CONFERRED ON RELEVANT AUTHORITIES UNDER S.101 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2000 It was agreed to refer this to the next Policy and Finance meeting. INFORMATION ITEMS 61 YOUTH STRATEGY GROUP MEETING To be held on 31st July at 6 p.m. in the Council Office. Inspector Proctor had asked for this meeting to investigate ways of solving the youth problem in CSP in partnership with the Parish Council and other related organisations. 62 MILL MEADOW MEETING Cllr Dodd had requested a meeting on 23rd September at 10 a.m. in the Council Office with all users of Mill Meadow and related parties to look at ways to solve the vandalism in the area. 63 VILLAGE APPRAISAL MEETING OF 16TH JULY Cllr Mrs Smith reported that this had been a good meeting with several new people joining after being consulted at the Feast Day. Action Groups had now been set up to report back to the next Steering Group meeting on 10th September. 64 CHIPSTEAD Cllr Mrs Bacon reported that after the 'Clearing-up' day at Chipstead, she had received several requests for a small play area for under 5's to be installed in the neighbourhood and she would like to refer this request to the next Open Spaces meeting. 65 TO RESOLVE THAT UNDER SECTION 100 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 THE PUBLIC BE EXCLUDED FROM THE MEETING FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEM OF BUSINESS; TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE LAND SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING ON 9TH JULY, 2003 See Minutes of the Land sub-committee of 9th July, 2003 - The recommendations were to place an offer for this land. A letter from Bruton Knowles (the land agents for Bucks C.C.). had just sent a letter inviting offers for the freehold interest by 15th August. The issue of access has not been resolved between Bucks C.C. and CDC. Bruton Knowles wished to draw prospective purchasers to this problem and it would be for them to formulate their bid accordingly. Cllr Palmer reminded members that CDC would be making an offer for this land. At this point there was some discussion as to the dual interest of District and County Councillors in this matter. County and District Councillors agreed to retire and Cllr Mrs Bacon, Cllr Allen, Cllr Warder, Cllr Banham and Cllr Mrs Smith left the meeting. Please see pink paper (for councillors eyes only). No other business being raised the meeting closed at 10.34 p.m. MEETINGS IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER Village Appraisal Steering Group at 7.30 p.m. in the Council Office Amenities and Planning on 18th August and 8th and 29th September Council on 22nd September Mill Meadow Meeting at 10 a.m. on 23rd September in the Council Office |
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