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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,
MINUTES OF THE DULY CONVENED MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
OF CHALFONT ST PETER HELD IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, CHALFONT
ST PETER, ON MONDAY 27TH OCTOBER, 2003 AT 8 P.M.
86 PRESENT
Cllr J Banham (Chairman), Cllr B Allen, Cllr Mrs J Bacon,
Cllr M Cocksedge, Cllr Watts, Cllr Mrs Darby, Cllr V Gupta,
Cllr Horne, Cllr A Moffat, Cllr D Palmer, Cllr Mrs L Smith,
Cllr Dr J Warder, Cllr Mrs West and the Clerk.
87 DEMOCRATIC QUARTER OF AN HOUR
Residents from Deanacre Close were present to state their
concern about the intrusion of travellers on the piece of
land opposite Deanacre along the A413. Two families had
settled on this land with 2 caravans and 4 vehicles. A hard
surface area had been installed and a fence erected around
the perimeter even though an Enforcement and Stop notice had
been issued by Chiltern District Council. This settlement
has had an adverse effect on the landscape and noise levels.
8.05 Cllr Horne joined the meeting.
Two generators are operating all day, cars spin round on the
gravel, children continually play with the cars' horns.
There is a high level of vehicular movement in and out of
the land causing a safety hazard on to the A413. Also there
is a significant 'fear of crime' amongst residents living
near to this travellers encampment. Residents believe there
is a strong need for a partnership approach between
themselves and the authorities concerned and hope that
County, District and Parish Councils will support them to
remove these travellers from this site.
Cllr Mrs Darby and Cllr Allen expressed their concern to
local residents and assured them that councillors are being
kept up-dated about this situation.
Cllr Banham pointed out that this land is Green Belt but not
AONB and planning permission is required for hard surface
area and change of use. CDC will instigate legal proceedings
in the event of non-compliance.
At the proposition of Cllr Mrs Bacon, seconded by Cllr
Palmer it was agreed to extend the Democratic Quarter of an
Hour.
Cllr Banham also mentioned that it was important that
residents continued to act responsibly and to report any
illegal acts. All residents in the area should not encourage
the employment of travellers by accepting door to door
salesmen and only ask for work to be done by a reputable
firm and to ensure any waste from work done is tipped at a
legal site.
Cllr Allen proposed that a public meeting should be held
with Council Officers dealing with this matter to report
directly to local residents.
Simon Bridbury also spoke at the Democratic Quarter of an
Hour to report on the Siblet's Wood Inquiry that was held
last week at the Scout Hall. The Inquiry was well attended
for all 4 days and many locals gave statements. It was
important that the Siblet's Wood supporters had legal
representation but due to the length of the Inquiry legal
costs had increased by approximately £10,000. Mr Bridbury
and Mrs Noble would pay the remaining legal costs as an
interim measure whilst additional funds were found.
88 TO ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllr K Adams and Cllr Collins.
89 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
None were received.
90 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
Minutes of the last meeting held on 22nd September, 2003,
were considered and signed by the Chairman as a true record.
91 MATTERS ARISING
Minute 77 To comment on the application for a Variation to
an Entertainment (indoor Music and Dancing) License at the
Poachers Public House - Cllr Palmer represented the parish
Council at the Licensing Committee. The variation had been
altered to reduce the variation in hours to 11a.m. to 11p.m.
on Thursdays, 11a.m. to 12 midnight Fridays and Saturdays
and 11 a.m. to 10.30 p.m. on Sundays. There would be a 3
month review of the change of hours and Cllr Palmer did urge
members to write in to CDC about any complaints with a copy
to the Parish Council. At present a Public Notice prior to a
variation is displayed on the front of the building in
question and Cllr Palmer pointed out to District Councillors
that this is not a very effective way of informing the
public as the notice is not always in a prominent position
for the public to read.
Minute 81 - The Clerk has not heard from any businesses
that may wish to sponsor the roundabout. Cllr Mrs West asked
the local press officer again if she might advertise this in
the local paper.
92 CHAIRMANS ANNOUNCEMENTS
The next Village Appraisal Steering Group meeting will
take place on 29th October.
The Community Plan Consultation will be held at 7.30p.m.
on 4th November at the Community Centre.
The Remembrance Parade will take place on 9th November,
meeting at 2.15p.m. on the Green outside the Leisure Centre.
Cllr Banham thanked Cllr Moffat, Cllr Mrs Bacon, Cllr
Horne and Cllr Adams for helping at the Chipstead clear-up
day. All councillors agreed that a letter of appreciation
should be sent to Mrs Wall and P.C. Clarke for the work they
have done at Chipstead.
Cllr Banham thanked Cllr Mrs Darby for representing the
Parish Council at District Planning meeting concerning the
planning application at Copthall Lane. In the end this
application was refused. Cllr Mrs Darby wished to extend the
thanks to Cllr Lole who was very supportive in objecting to
this application.
Cllr Banham thanked Cllr Mrs Bacon for attending the
Siblet's Wood Inquiry for 4 days. Cllr Mrs Bacon was very
keen to represent the locals who had been walking through
the woods for many years. Cllr Banham also thanked Simon
Bridbury, Anne Noble and Wendy Wilson and all the other
supporters who provided statements.93 CORRESPONDENCE
Booklets for borrowing:- Chalk and Trees, 2002/3 annual
Report of the shadow Chilterns Conservation Board, English
Nature Magazine, News of the Woods, Voluntary Action, CDC's
Strategy for 2003/5 on Community Development Revitilisation,
Thames Valley Police Annual Report 2002/3.
The Area Manager (from Bucks C.C. Transportation
Department) for Chiltern and South Bucks would like to
attend a Parish meeting to meet local members. It was agreed
to invite her to a pre-meeting of the January Council
meeting together with the relevant Village Appraisal Action
Groups.
Invitation to the League of Friends AGM at 2p.m.on 10th
November at All Saint's Hall.
Invitation to the presentation and first AGM of Voluntary
Action on 27th November at Fitzwilliams Centre,
Beaconsfield.
94 REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
Amenities and Planning on 29th September, 2003 and 20th
October, 2003
Reports and recommendations were accepted on the proposition
of Cllr Palmer, seconded by Cllr Mrs Darby.
Policy and Finance on 6th, October, 2003
Reports and recommendations were accepted on the proposition
of Cllr Mrs Bacon, seconded by Cllr Mrs Darby.
Matters Arising
Cllr Banham pointed out the recommendations to employ a
Village Warden and Assistant Clerk subject to available
funding which will be examined at the next Policy and
Finance meeting.
Open Spaces 13th October, 2003
Reports and recommendations were accepted on the proposition
of Cllr Moffat, seconded by Cllr Mrs Bacon.
95 ACCOUNTS
The following accounts were examined and, upon being found
in order, the following cheques were signed on the
proposition of Cllr Mrs Bacon and seconded by Cllr Mrs
Darby.
Inland Revenue 1428.20
Bucks C.C. - superannuation 1178.57
Bucks C.C. - access to G of R 5.00
Southern Electric Contracting - quarterly charge for street
light maintenance 3652.01
Southern Electric contracting - rechargeable repairs 781.03
ADT Fire and Security PLC - new battery for office security
alarm 29.38
Southern Electric - unmetered electricity 345.06
CDC - Church Lane car park 2345.59
CSP Community Association - affiliation fee 20.00
D&S Tool Hire - hire of digger 112.50
The Royal British Legion - poppy wreath 16.00
Chiltern Citizen Advice Bureau - grant 200.00
The Chiltern Society - subs 25.00
Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust - subs 40.00
Bucks S.L.C.C. - Clerk's training day 12.00
Brooke North solicitors - Siblet's Wood legal fees 7439.22
Petty cash checked
STANDING ORDERS AND DIRECT DEBITS
25.10.03 - salaries 4419.16
1.10.03 - council office rates 60.00
IMPREST ACCOUNT
23.9.03 AONB - Planning confernce, Cllr Adams attended 30.00
24.9.03 M Wall - material for Chipstead 23.36
13.10.03 M Wall - material for Chipstead 25.48
13.10.03 Cash - petty 100.00
20.10.03 M Wall - material and equipment for Chipstead 39.78
23.10.03 Cash - petty 100.00
Cllr Palmer and Cllr Cocksedge to sign cheques in November.
96 REMEMBRANCE PARADE ON 9TH NOVEMBER
As discussed under Chairman's announcements.
97 TO CONSIDER MEETING DATES FOR 2004
Meeting dates given were approved.
98 TO CONSIDER PARTICIPATION BY THE PARISH COUNCIL AT THE
FUN NIGHT ON 5TH DECEMBER
It was agreed to have a candy floss stall similar to last
year with proceeds from the profit being donated to the
Maria Taylor charity.
Cllr Watts declared an interest in the following proposal:-
99 TO CONSIDER THE RENEWAL OF PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT
(INDOOR MUSIC AND DANCING) LICENCES - 2004
CDC had invited the Licensees of all premises to apply for
renewal of their Licences for the year 2004 - Noted and no
objections.
Also Transfer of Licence at Tesco Express - Noted.
100 TO CONSIDER THE REQUEST FROM THE SIBLET'S WOOD
CAMPAIGN FOR A GRANT TOWARDS LEGAL COSTS
At the proposition of Cllr Palmer, seconded by Cllr Mrs
Darby, it was agreed to provide a grant of £2000 and to
review the provision of a further grant at the next Policy
and Finance meeting.
101 TO CONFIRM THE SCHEME OF ALLOWANCES FOR 2004/5 TO THE
INDEPENDENT REMUNERATION PANEL
It was agreed to continue this year and for 2004-5 the
travel allowance for meetings attended by parish councillors
on behalf of the Parish Council which were outside the
parish. This would cover car mileage rate as recommended by
NALC, car park charges or public transport fares.
9.25p.m. Cllr Mrs Smith and Cllr Warder joined the meeting.
It was also agreed that no allowances would be paid to
Councillors or the Chairman within this financial year or
for 2004-5. Any out of pocket expenses spent on council
business should be claimed through the relevant budget.
102 TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED PROCEDURE FOR ALLOCATING
BUDGETS AT THE LOCAL COMMITTEE DELEGATED BUDGET SCHEMES FOR
2004
From the 3 options provided by Chiltern Local Committee,
it was agreed that the third option would be the best one
for spending public money i.e. Funds to be allocated on the
basis of an assessment criteria agreed by the Local Area
Committee that prioritises requests on an annual basis.
103 TO EXAMINE THE PROPOSED TRAFFIC CALMING SCHEME FOR
THE A413
Cllr Mrs Bacon and Cllr Allen had attended a meeting on
these proposals.
The proposals recommended that all gaps to be closed along
the A413 between the Kingsway roundabout and Tatling End
except the Tatling End turn-off which would be re-sited. As
yet the Parish Council had not been invited to comment on
these proposals.
104 TO CONSIDER THE PROVISION OF PROVIDING FREE PARKING
AT CHURCH LANE CAR PARK
The cost of providing all day free parking will rise to
approximately £80,000 p.a. Alternative schemes should be
investigated. The Council's view on next years car park
scheme is required if funding is required in next year's
precept. After much discussion it was agreed to ask CDC for
the following information to be provided by the next Policy
and Finance meeting:-
a) Cost of providing 1 hours free parking?
b) Cost of providing 2 hours free parking?
c) The possibility of changing a scheme after one year and
the costs involved?
d) The possibility of changing from a totally fee paying car
park to an alternative scheme and the costs involved?
e) The possibility of reducing all charges by a certain
amount e.g. 30p?
f) The possibility of the parish council providing 50% of
all charges so that the fees are halved and the costs
involved?
g) The possibility of accommodating free parking for parents
collecting their children from CSP Middle School?
h) An assurance that CDC will keep detailed records in the
future, (including the number of free parking tickets
issued) so that an audit can be kept on car park charges?
i) What percentage of income from car parks is spent on the
maintenance of car parks?
j) If the Parish Council provides free /reduced parking
fees, does this exclude car spaces used for the recycling
centre?
From the information to be provided, Policy and Finance
would make recommendations to the next Council meeting.
INFORMATION ITEMS
105 CHAIRMAN'S NAME BOARD
The Chairman's name board is located in the Mary Smithell's
room of the Community Centre and needs updating.
106 BALC MEETING
Cllr Gupta attended this meeting but his nomination for the
Executive committee had not been received. Clerk to
investigate.
No other business being raised the meeting closed at 10.20
p.m.
MEETINGS FOR NOVEMBER
Village Appraisal Steering Group at 7.30 p.m. in the Council
Office on 29TH October
Amenities and Planning on 10th November
Policy and Finance on 17th November
Council on 24th November |
