Chalfont St Peter Parish Council Minutes - September 2007

MINUTES OF THE DULY CONVENED MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL OF CHALFONT ST PETER HELD IN THE COUNCIL OFFICES, CHALFONT ST PETER, ON MONDAY, 24thSEPTEMBER, 2007 AT 8P.M.

29. PRESENT
Cllr R Allen (Chairman), Cllr Adams, Cllr B Allen, Cllr Bacon, Cllr Beane, Cllr Mrs Brooke, Cllr Mrs Darby, Cllr Harper, Cllr Heath, Cllr Miller, Cllr Nowell, Cllr Quigley, Cllr B Smith Cllr Mrs Smith, and S Moffat (Clerk)

30. APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Cllr Warder.

31. DEMOCRATIC QUARTER OF AN HOUR
Martyn Groves and Odele Caldecourt were present on behalf of Chalfont St Peter Youth Club. Mr Groves presented himself as the new Chairman of the Youth Club Committee as the previous Chairman, Liam Eaglestone is moving out of the area. Miss Caldecourt thanked the parish councillors for all their help and support with the re-painting of the underpass. The whole project has been filmed and when the DVD has been made the councillors will be invited to view it.

Mr Groves went on to explain that he is also the Community Chaplain at Gold Hill Baptist Church, he work at Chalfonts Community College and is the Chairman of the Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG). As the councillors may already be aware the Baptist Church owns 19 acres of woodland along the Lower Road. At first the Church hoped to build new premises on the site but now realise, as it is in Green Belt, this is highly unlikely to happen. Therefore it has been proposed to use the area for a conservation project and make the land accessible for community use. This project would hopefully be in partnership with the Parish Council, Chalfonts Community College, Youth Centre and other community groups in the area. At present it is in the early stages and Mr Groves is in contact with Planning at Chiltern District Council (CDC) to discuss the situation. If it was to go ahead he would like the Parish Council to advise and be represented on the committee.

Cllr R Allen asked Mr Groves if he would produce a written article so it could be discussed at a Parish Council meeting.
Cllr Mrs Bacon raised the query of access and off-street parking.
Cllr B Allen suggested contacting Colne Valley Park for advice.
Cllr Mrs Smith emphasised the importance of contacting Planning at CDC in order to know exactly what can be done and wished him well.

32. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
None were declared.

33. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
Minutes of the last meeting held on 23rd July, 2007 were considered and signed by the Chairman as a true record after the following amendment was made:-
Minute 27 should read 2007 instead of 2008.

34. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
• Minute 26, Temporary Road Closure – Cllr Mrs Bacon reported that the diversion signs were not logistically correct.

8.20.p.m. Cllr Mrs Harper joined the meeting.

35. CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
• On behalf of the Chalfont St Peter Parish Council, Cllr R Allen received a picture from the German Scouts who were visiting Chalfont Heights Scout Camp as part of the 100th Anniversary of Scouting celebrations. Translation of the letter is required.
• The Parish Council are runners-up in the Pushman Cup in the Best Kept Village Competition.

Cllr Allen added the following proposal as an emergency item:-

36. TO ALLOW CHALFONT ST PETER DISTRICT SCOUT GROUP TO USE THE MILLENNIUM WOOD FOR ITS FIREWORK DISPLAY ON 27TH OCTOBER, 2007
At the proposition of Cllr Mrs Darby, seconded by Cllr R Allen this was agreed.

37. CORRESPONDENCE
• Booklets for borrowing :- 2006/7 Annual Review of the Chilterns Conservation Board, Local Council Review, Chilterns Chalk Stream Project 10th Anniversary Annual Report and Matters Arising.
• Thank you letter from CSP Community Association for taking part in the Golden Jubilee Open Day
• The Community Association’s Quiz Night is on 23rd October at 8 p.m. Cllrs Quigley, B Smith and B Allen volunteered to be the Council’s Quiz Team.
• The AGM of CSP Community Association is at 8 p.m. on 30th October, 2007. Cllr Nowell is the Parish Council’s representative.

38. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
All councillors present declared a non-interest in planning application 2007/1270 of the Amenities and Planning meeting on 30th July, 2007.
Amenities and Planning on 30thJuly, 2007
Reports and recommendations were proposed, seconded and accepted as a true record.
Amenities and Planning on 20th August, 2007
Reports and recommendations were proposed, seconded and accepted as a true record.
Amenities and Planning on 10th September, 2007
Reports and recommendations were proposed, seconded and accepted as a true record.

39. ACCOUNTS
Cheques signed out of Council August 2007 by Cllr R Allen and Cllr Mrs Darby

Inland Revenue 1923.35
Bucks C.C. - superannuation 1832.73
Chiltern District Council – election costs 1738.00
Three Valleys Water – Church Lane allotments 198.41
Three Valleys Water – Gravel Hill allotments 271.55
Team Flitwick – gas oil 414.02
Carlton clocks Ltd – refurbishment and repair of coronation clock 2203.12
Geo Browns Implements Ltd - parts 7.70
Nick Kerner 4 Wheel Drive – MOT and service of Landrover 575.74
Three Valleys Water – Garden of Rest Cemetery 8.63
Southern electric – unmetered electricity 345.83
Neil Curtis and Sons Funeral Contractors Ltd – grave digging – 540 + 810 1350.00
BT plc – office phone 95.53
BT plc - broadband 123.30
Grant & Stone – materials - 10.12 + 27.68= 37.80
Viking direct - stationery 92.46
E Wilson – additional hours worked from 24.5.07 to 21.8.07 174.63
Records RSS Ltd – playground equipment 14,100
M Stevens - overtime 41.98
C Barham - overtime 53.46
Imprest account 800.00
M Alderton - cleaner 85.00


The following accounts were examined and, upon being found in order, cheques were signed on the proposition of Cllr Nowell, seconded by Cllr Adams:-

Cheque No. Payee Details £
5474 Inland Revenue Tax & NIC 1283.60
5475 Bucks C.C. Superannuation 1909.92
5476 Southern Electric Unmetered electricity 379.38
5477 BT plc Second phone line 62.85
5478 Geo Browns Implements Ltd Machine parts 7.90
5478 Geo Browns Implements Ltd Service of kubota 221.63
5479 World of Color Photocopier service charge 85.31
5480 HBM Ltd Wall mountings for heritage centre 5276.28
5481 Fitzpatrick Street light repairs-vat o/s 13.44
5482 Thames Valley Police Authority PCSO quarterly charge 3750.00
5483 P Harris Clerk’s duties – 49.75 hrs 746.25
5484 Grant and Stone Ltd Protective clothing 40.00
5485 Viking Direct Office supplies 120.94
5486 RT Machinery Machinery repairs 85.19
5487 Chalfont Web Design Domain name renewal for 2 years 80.00
5488 Imprest 200.00

IMPREST
1965 Cash petty 100.00
1966 Cash petty 100.00
1967 M Alderton cleaning 81.00

STANDING ORDERS AND DIRECT DEBIT
25.9.07 Salaries 5525.17
13.8.07 British Gas electricity 95.43
13.9.07 British Gas electricity 101.42

RECEIPTS
101656 Burial fees 1365.00
101657 Repayment of cheque 5443 80.00
101658 Repayment of cheque 5426
Allotment rentals 95.83
46.00
101659 Allotment rentals 146.00
Bucks Building Society donation 500.00
Burial fees 190.00
101660 Burial fees 170.00
Allotment rentals 113.00
Setting up Direct Debits
BT plc Acc No. TH13855648 second line
BT plc Acc No. TH11519635 office line


40. TO CHANGE THE DATE OF THE MARIA TAYLOR CAROL SERVICE
It was agreed for the Maria Taylor Carol Service to be held on Wednesday, 19th December, 2007 at 7.30p.m. in St Peter’s Church Yard instead of the 6th December.

41. TO ACCEPT THE REVISED MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT AS ISSUED UNDER THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES (MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT) ORDER 2007 INCLUDING PARAGRAPH 12(2)
It was agreed to adopt the revised Model Code of Conduct including paragraph 12(2).
Councillors now need to re-submit their Declaration of Interests and acceptance of the revised Code of Conduct.

42. TO PUT FORWARD SUITABLE SCHEMES TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE LOCAL AREA COMMITTEE UNDER DELEGATED BUDGET –
It was agreed to submit the following schemes:-
1. A413 – extend the barrier outside the Youth Centre to improve safety;
2. Extension of block paving along Church Lane;
3. Finger post signs to direct visitors to local services. These signs to be positioned outside the HSBC Bank in the High Street and in Church Lane Car Park.

43 COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
Cllr R Allen
Cllr R Allen reported he had attended a meeting with the Environment Group along with Cllr Mrs Darby. The Environment Group had received a lottery grant of £10,000 to improve the riverside walk from the village centre to the Community Centre. As part of these improvements the Group had proposed to relocate the ‘Rubbish Compound’ used by the Haywardens and the Recycling Bins supplied by CDC as well as improving planting, carrying out tree work and clearing the river bed.
Cllr R Allen pointed out that there is a danger of confusion having so many non-elected groups dealing with matters usually carried out by Statutory Bodies. Regarding the relocation of the compound, Cllr R Allen proposed that the Environment Group should put forward a written plan including costs in order for the Parish Council to make a decision. After much discussion on the subject of the compound, it was agreed to defer the matter to the next Open Spaces meeting in order for recommendations to be made. It was agreed to start the Open Spaces meeting at 7.30 p.m. in order for a site visit to be made.

Cllr Mrs Bacon
Cllr Mrs Bacon reported the following road closures:-
Gorelands Lane 17/9 to 2/10/07
West Hyde Lane 10/9 to 23/9/07
Chesham Lane 24/9 to 4/10/07
In view of the recent confusion with diversion signs, it was agreed to offer assistance to Highways Officers if local knowledge is required to ensure road diversions are not misleading.

Cllr Adams
Cllr Adams had attended the Village Safety Group meeting on 20th September when the local police sergeant had also attended and hopefully will continue to so at future meetings. The following issues were raised at the meeting:-
- Query over the location of the Police Surgery continuing in Budgens as there could be a change of ownership.
- Setting up 3 speed strips to monitor weight of vehicles as well as speed. This will cost £300 and a grant has been received from CDC.
- Possibility of another PCSO for CSP.
- Parking problems throughout the village
- Concern about the early afternoon arrival of school coaches at Chalfonts Community College due to engines left running causing noise and pollution.
- Public parking in the Leisure Centre car park by young people who also have music playing loudly.

Cllr Quigley
Cllr Quigley reported the continuing problem of litter in St Peter’s Precinct n Sundays.
Cllr Quigley also pointed out three new businesses had started being Gourjon, Purple Tulip and Flag.

Cllr Mrs Darby
Cllr Mrs Darby reported she had attended AGM of Bucks PCT. The first meeting of the Public and Patients Involvement Forum is to be held but this group will disband in 2008 as it will be superseded by the Government setting up another group called LINKS. The AGM reported there was a bigger deficit than first thought but was not expected to balance the books in the next financial year. The next meeting is 2 p.m. on 25th September with a presentation on ‘Getting Health Care Right in the Future’.

Cllr B Allen
Regarding the coaches at Chalfonts Community College, Cllr B Allen will provide the Clerk with a coach time table which covers the transport of many of the 1800 young people using the College from a very wide catchment area.
Cllr B Allen also reported that he understood the drains in St Peter’s Precinct had been cleared but the drains in the service road are still to be done. No flooding had occurred in the precinct after today’s rainfall.

Cllr Mrs Bacon
Cllr Mrs Bacon reported that residents in St Peter’s Precinct were complaining about disturbances at 1a.m. due to Winkers Bus off-loading passengers.

Cllr Mrs Smith
Cllr Mrs Smith apologised to councillors about the cancellation of the pre-view of the Heritage Centre tonight. The official opening by the Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire will be at lunch time on 27th October, 2007 when all parish councillors will be invited. Hopefully an earlier date will be arranged for the parish councillors to have a preview of the exhibition

INFORMATION ITEMS
44. NAG
Cllr B Smith pointed out that many of the issues raised by the Safety Group have already been discussed at the NAG’s meeting.


No other business being raised, the meeting closed at 10.12pm