|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
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 24th MAY, 2004 AT 8 P.M. 1 PRESENT Cllr J Banham (Chairman), Cllr K Adams, Cllr B Allen, Cllr N Collins, Cllr Mrs I Darby, Cllr V Gupta, Cllr Horne, Cllr A Moffat, Cllr D Palmer, Cllr Dr Warder, Cllr Watts, Cllr Mrs West and the Clerk. 2 DEMOCRATIC QUARTER OF AN HOUR Residents of Ellwood House were present to protest about the closure of Ellwood House Old People’s Home. Cllr Horne acted as their representative at this meeting. He explained that the closure was a surprise to all the residents and most of them wanted to stay. 8.05 p.m. Cllr Mrs Darby and Cllr Collins joined the meeting. The closure and development of this site had not been made known to the Parish Council even though it was a prime site in the centre of the village. The residents from Ellwood House found it difficult to speak out and Cllr Horne was making representation on their behalf as they had been treated disgracefully and no one knew the future plans of the site. Cllr Allen had asked Mr Smith, Director of Chiltern Hundreds Housing Association (CHHA) to come to this meeting tonight and explain the situation. Mr Smith apologised again for the upset this situation has caused. It is a very difficult issue which has been going on for about 6 to 7 years and he has been visiting residents of Ellwood House for the last few years to explain the situation. Ellwood House was built 30 to 35 years ago and now it was no longer acceptable to have properties with bedsits, particularly with shared bathrooms. The Government has now changed its views on the welfare of the elderly and encourage the care of the elderly in their own home. CDC’s Housing Policy looked at improving this home. Government was approached for additional funding for care schemes but did not succeed. It was agreed to extend the Democratic Quarter of an Hour. Mr Smith went on to say that it was incorrect to say that residents had not been kept informed. Regular meetings had been arranged and he had issued a paper with all these facts recorded. After discussion with the residents for 2 years and with the lack of additional funding from Government, no solution could be found and the uncertainty of the situation was blighting the lives of the residents. Hence, a decision was made to resettle them at the most suitable location for each resident. Mr Smith does believes that the residents of Ellwood House have been well looked after. The site will continue to be owned by CDC and used by CHHA. It was pointed out by parish councillors that Ellwood House site was in a prime position and very suitable for the elderly, being on the flat and near all the services. It was agreed to extend the Democratic Quarter of an Hour again. After much further discussion, Mr Smith stated that the Government will not give more funding for primary care and it was important to face the problems and help the residents to resettle. CHHA must make any new development a commercial proposition and it would continue as some form of social housing. Cllr Warder assured the meeting that CDC would not sell the land but it would remain for CHHC purposes. It was agreed to extend the Democratic Quarter of an Hour again. Two residents from Tunmers End were also present at the Democratic Quarter of an Hour to make councillors aware of the problems occurring at Tunmers Green, outside the Leisure Centre. For the last 10 years there had been problems with cars driving across the green during the day and up to the early hours of the morning. The oak tree, litter bin and telephone kiosk had been hit on numerous occasions. The activity and noise was very intimidating and disturbing to residents. Also many cars parked on the green. It was understood that BCC and CDC had agreed to build a double kerb around the green to prevent these problems but this would not proceed without the backing of the Parish Council. Cllr Mrs Darby stated that this proposal had come before the Policy and Finance meeting as the Parish Council was asked to contribute £2000 towards this scheme. Paying for kerbing was not in the remit of the works of the Parish Council and £2000 had not been included in this year’s budget. However, members of the Policy and Finance committee did not know about the problems occurring at this location and did not realise that the funding for kerbing from BCC and CDC would be lost if the Parish Council did not contribute. Cllr Warder did admit that the situation had not been explained very clearly to the Parish Council. Cllr Horne asked that now the full facts were known, this request for kerbing should be referred back to the Policy and Finance Committee for reconsideration. 3 ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN On the proposition of Cllr Warder, seconded by Cllr Gupta, Cllr Banham was nominated as Chairman. Two members of the Council requested for the voting to be by secret ballot. The Clerk distributed papers for this purpose and recorded the results. There were 3 ‘No’ votes, 5 abstained and 4 ‘yes’ votes. No other nominations being received, Cllr Banham was duly elected for the ensuing year. 4 ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN On the proposition of Cllr Banham, seconded by Cllr Allen, Cllr Palmer was nominated as Vice-Chairman. No other nominations being received, Cllr Palmer was elected for the ensuing year. 5 TO ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies were received from Cllr Mrs Bacon and Cllr Mrs Smith. 6 DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS None were received. 7 CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENT • Cllr Banham informed members that the Public Meeting for the NSE Planning Application would take place at 7.30p.m.on the 8th June, 2004. All parish councillors would be welcome to attend and speak. This meeting would be followed by the Amenities and Planning committee meeting to consider and comment on the same application. • Cllr Banham thanked all councillors who came to the Annual Parish Meeting, particularly Cllr Moffat who organised the signing in of the public. Approximately 90 people attended this meeting. The issues raised, namely car parking and the kebab van, would be considered at the next Amenities and Planning Committee. 8 ELECTION OF COMMITTEES On the proposition of Cllr Darby, seconded by Cllr Collins, members of committees were elected as shown on attached list. 9 ELECTION OF CHAIRMEN OF COMMITTEES Amenities and Planning Upon the proposition of Cllr Banham, seconded by Cllr Mrs Darby, members of this committee elected Cllr Palmer as Chairman for the ensuing year. Upon the proposition of Cllr Allen, seconded by Cllr Palmer, members of this committee elected Cllr Mrs West as Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year. Open Spaces Upon the proposition of Cllr Palmer, seconded by Cllr Collins, members of this committee elected Cllr Moffat as Chairman for the ensuing year. Upon the proposition of Cllr Moffat, seconded by Cllr Collins, members of this committee elected Cllr Mrs Bacon as Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year. Policy and Finance Upon the proposition of Cllr Palmer, seconded by Cllr Mrs West, members of this committee elected Cllr Mrs Darby as Chairman for the ensuing year. Upon the proposition of Cllr Palmer, seconded by Cllr Mrs West, members of this committee elected Cllr Mrs Smith as Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year. 10 REPRENTATIVES ON LOCAL BODIES Representatives on local bodies were agreed as shown on attached list. The Clerk would give a copy to the councillor concerned of the letters sent to these local bodies to inform them of the Parish Council’s representative. 11 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING Minutes of the last meeting held on 26th April, 2004, were considered and signed by the Chairman as a true record. 12 MATTERS ARISING None were raised. 13 CORRESPONDENCE • Booklets for borrowing:- Wildlife News, M25 Widening Information leaflet. • Letter of complaint from a local business regarding kebab van in Church Lane - Noted. • Update on governors appointed by Minor Authorities – Noted. • Minutes of the Chilterns Race Equality Council – Noted. • Cllr Warder had received a letter of complaint from the Traffic and Transport Action Group regarding aircraft noise from Denham Aerodrome. 14 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE LAST MINUTES None were raised. 15 REPORTS OF COMMITTEES Policy and Finance on 10th May, 2004 Reports and recommendations were proposed and accepted. Matters Arising Minute 73F – To consider a request from CDC For A Contribution towards the Verge Protection around Tunmers Green, Nicol Road – After taking into consideration comments raised during the Democratic Quarter of an Hour, it was agreed to refer this back to the next Policy and Finance Committee for reconsideration. It was also agreed to delegate authority to the Policy and Finance Committee to make the final decision on this matter. The Clerk would ask CDC for more details of this proposal to include a break-down of costs. Amenities and Planning on 17th May, 2004 Reports and recommendations were proposed and accepted. 16 ACCOUNTS The following accounts were examined and, upon being found in order, accepted by the Council. Inland Revenue 1403.23 Bucks C.C. – superannuation 1259.55 CDC – Church Lane car park 2340.21 Allianz Cornhill Insurance PLC – general insurance 2326.47 Post Office Ltd – car tax for Landrover 165.00 Dell Corporation Ltd – office computer & digi camera 1075.13 Southern Electric – unmetered supply for street lighting 378.65 SEC Contracting – replacement column Lovel Rd 613.02 Neil Curtis Funeral Contractor – grave digging 840.00 Eric Hunter Ltd - tools 184.38 Neat Ideas – filing cabinet 293.75 Neptune – litter bin 185.65 Bell Brush - brooms 51.19 A&A Lawnmowers – strimming cord 18.75 Grant & Stone – materials Invoices -18.53+9.6+16.02= 44.15 Greenham – tools and equipment Invoices – 23.50+47.99 = 71.49 Greenham – protective clothing 96.94 Timebreakers -grant 250.00 Bucks Ass. Of Youth Clubs - grant 100.00 Chiltern Open Air Museum - grant 450.00 St Paul’s church - grant 250.00 Imprest 900.00 Standing orders and Direct Debits 1.5.04 – Council room rates 57.60 25.5.04 – salaries 4529.51 Imprest Account 27.4.04 Cash -petty 100.00 7.5.04 - overtime 31.35 7.5.04 - overtime 36.29 10.5.04 cash - petty 100.00 11.5.04 – CSP Garden Club - weedkiller 63.00 17 APPLICATION FOR A TEMPORARY ENTERTAIMENT LICENCE • Application for a Temporary Entertainment Licence for Timebreaker’s Week – agreed. • Notice of Application for Transfer of Justice’s Licence for the Greyhound Inn – Noted. 18 INVITATION TO A TRAINING SESSION FOR COUNCILLORS ON THE TOPIC OF ‘MEETINGS’ Cllr Gupta requested to attend. Cllr Allen declared an interest in the following proposal being a member of CHHA Board of Management:- 19 PROPOSAL THAT THIS COUNCIL RAISES THE CONCERNS OF RESIDENTS OF ELLWOOD HOUSE REGADING THE PROPOSED CLOSURE, THE ATTEMPT TO MOVE OUT THE RESIDENTS AND TO ASK CHHA OF ITS PLANS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE SITE AND THE PROVISION OF SIMILAR FACILITIES IN CSP After considering the issues brought to the attention of the Council during the Democratic Quarter of an Hour and after further discussion, it was agreed that this Council should raise the concerns of residents and of this Council. The following questions to be raised with CHHA:- • If alternative accommodation in CSP is up a hill and would not be suitable alternative accommodation for many residents of Ellwood House, how will CHHA overcome this? • When Ellwood House is closed, what are the plans for the future and where will the funding come from to execute these plans? • To express concern that the land, being in a prime location, may be sold at great profit to provide funding for homes elsewhere. • To request a letter of assurance that the land will not be sold. • To request that this land is only used to accommodate the elderly. • If there is no time scale for any future plans, why are residents of Ellwood House urged to move out? • To seek assurance that no prejudice is attached to residents of Ellwood House who speak out against new proposals. 20 TO CONSIDER THE PARISH COUNCIL STAND FOR CSP FEAST DAY ON 26TH JUNE, 2004 It was agreed that the theme of the stand should be to promote the Maria Taylor Charity and encourage donations including gift aid bonds. Cllr Allen had already donated £2100 from the BCC’s Community fund in order to increase the gift to the old and needy at Christmas from £20 to £30 this year. It would be good to encourage another £2000 to be donated. Cllr Allen and Cllr Adams would organise the literature for the stand. It was agreed that more equipment should be purchased by the Clerk if needed for the stand. INFORMATION ITEMS 21 VACANCY FOR PARISH COUNCILLOR Cllr Banham informed the Council, that if no election was called, then this vacancy would be filled by the co-option procedure. This would be on the agenda for next Council. 22 LITTER PICKING Councillors had been invited to volunteer to litter pick on Sunday afternoon over the next few weeks to assist in the Best Kept Village Competition. The Clerk to ask the Safety Group and Environment Action Group to participate. 23 GYPSY ENCAMPMENT IN ROBERT’S LANE Cllr Banham informed the Council that the gypsies had launched an appeal against the Enforcement Notice so a decision is not likely be made before Christmas. Stop notices had been issued to prevent further development. CDC would send a letter to local residents to keep them informed. 24 KEBAB VAN IN CHURCH LANE Cllr Collins believed the kebab van was providing a good service and the owner always removed any litter caused by his customers. 25 YOUTH SHELTER Cllr Horne informed the Council that the litter bin had now been installed next to the Youth Shelter and rubbish appeared to be collected in it. He believed the shelter was being well used. 26 POLICY ON LITTER Cllr Palmer expressed his view that there should be a policy on litter as litter appears very quickly after the area has just been cleared of it. Therefore do the villagers want a clean village and do they wish to win the ‘Best Kept Village’ Competition? No other business being raised the meeting closed at 10.35p.m. Meetings in June 1st June - Amenities and Planning at 7.30 p.m. 7th June – Policy and Finance at 8p.m. 8th June – Amenities and Planning after the NSE Public Meeting 14th June – Open Spaces at 8p.m. 21st June – Amenities and Planning at 7.30p.m. 28th June – Council at 8p.m. |
|||||||
