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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
OF THE CHALFONT ST PETER VILLAGE APPRAISAL GROUP
The Annual General Meeting of the Chalfont St Peter Village
Appraisal Group held in the Chiltern Room at the Community Centre,
Gravel Hill, Chalfont St Peter on Wednesday, 19th January, 2005 at
7.30 p.m.
PRESENT
Cllr Mrs Smith (Chairman), Rob Loveland, Malcolm Horne Tom Taylor,
Nigel McAlister, Barbara Poole, Ian Corbett, Ian Smith, Blanche
Sullivan, Jo Saro, Robin Saro, Douglas Whitburn, Gill Elson, Ken
Adams, Chris Timotheou, Tina Gilvear, Virender Gupta, Dave Furze,
Liam Eaglestone, Jill Jacklins, E Bird, Malcolm Bird, S Milton, A
Milton, Megan Wall, Jean Priestley, Brian Wainwright, Pam Bacon,
Bryan Sheppee, Tony Shinner and Sue Moffat.
APOLOGIES
Apologies were received fro Cllr Banham, Cllr Moffat, David Gardner,
Corinne Jeffery and Ann Wainwright.
REPORT FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Cllr Mrs Smith welcomed everyone to the meeting and was pleased that
there would be an opportunity for all of the 7 Action Groups to
inform the public what they have been doing. She thanked the members
of these groups for their help and enthusiasm. Cllr Mrs Smith also
thanked Chiltern District Council for the grants to set up this
Group and to David Gardner for his help and support. Also to the
Community Centre and the Parish Council for providing rooms and to
Sue Moffat, the Clerk to the Council.
REPORT FROM THE GROUP LEADERS OF THE ACTIONS GROUPS
Report by Rob Loveland of the Environment Group
This Group has been looking at ways of reclaiming the village for
the residents and improving the surroundings. Projects undertaken:-
• Considering changes to the A413 so that drivers know they are
driving through a village e.g. by changing the street furniture such
as incorporating village gates, and by encouraging traffic calming
measures to assist in combining the 2 sides of the village;
• Responded to the Rights of Way Improvement Plan;
• Manned a stall at the Feast Day;
• Looking at ways to improve the environment around Church Lane
including access and signage;
• Assisting in School Travel Plans.
The projects already mentioned are on-going and will be looking for
funding e.g. sponsorships and grants. The Group may possibly
consider making a Village Design Statement and /or an Architectural
Review of the Village in the future.
Report by Ian Corbett on Transport and Traffic
This Group has considered the following issues:-
• Established the need for an improvement to the bus service;
• Attended the Bucks C.C. Transport symposium;
• Concern about the increase in traffic along Denham, Chesham Lane
and the increase in traffic speeding through the village.
• Concern about the increase in parking along the Lower Road
• Potential increase in aircraft noise when Terminal 5 is
operational.
Members of the audience also asked for the following issues to be
considered:-
• School coaches speeding through the village particularly along
Gold Hill and Lower Road
• Pollution caused by the coaches
• Illegal parking in Market Place and Lower Road.
Report by Liam Eaglestone on Youth
This Group first looked at the activities available for the Youth
and found out that there was a lot already existing but not enough
communication to inform the Youth what was on offer. The Group
identified the Youth Centre at Tithe Barn to be the key issue for
Youth as it was very much underused. The Youth Action Group and
Tithe Barn Management Group have now joined forces to maximise the
potential of this resource. At present they are hoping to refurbish
the Centre and implement improvements to staffing levels by using
trained volunteers from the community.
Report by Malcolm Horne on Elderly
At present there are only 4 people involved in this Group. The Group
has visited residential homes, the over-55 club and the holiday home
at Rock House to find out the concerns of the elderly which are:-
• No bus service after 6 p.m.
• Dangerous pavements
• Speeding traffic – suggested roundels as a means of traffic
calming.
• Concerns about the management of Chiltern Leisure Centre although
this has improved recently.
• More residential homes – this Group did take up the concern about
the closure of Ellwood house and have secured a promise from
Chiltern Housing that a number of the new homes will be reserved for
the elderly if required.
• Noise and vandalism in Church Lane car park.
As to the way forward, this Group is in the process of setting up an
Old Peoples Action Group.
Report from Tony Shinner on Safety
This Group reflects on crime and anti-social behaviour. It has
brought about the set up of Neighbourhood Watch schemes but these
only cover a third of the roads in the village so far. The Safety
Group has also set up a Police Surgery in Budgens where local people
have the opportunity to discuss any concerns with a community Beat
Officer. The Group is lobbying for more improvements to reduce crime
such as cctv cameras in the village centre and has also worked with
other agencies in the village such as Chipstead Residents
Association.
Report by Bryan Sheppee on Business and Employment
This Group has identified a number of issues to be considered –
Employment, Retail and Village Centre Services, Training and
Education, Tourism and Visitor Services and Business Support. In
order to continue further with these issues more volunteers are
needed to join the Group.
Report by Barbara Poole on Disability
The Group has developed a Value Statement for Disabled. The
development of Disability Training for Chiltern District Council and
the Parish Council has been disappointing as it has not yet been
taken up. It was suggested that Nigel McAllister should come to the
next Council meeting to talk on this issue during the Democratic
Quarter of an Hour.
There are also many issues concerning the Disabled Group that
overlap with other Groups and in the future should work more closely
with the Elderly and Transport Action Groups.
Report from the Secretary
The Village Appraisal Group has received £3,950 in grants from CDC
towards setting up costs. So far £700 has been spent on a newsletter
which was sent out to everyone in Chalfont St Peter.
Open Forum
Issue raised:-
• Lights have been broken in the underpass and not repaired.
• The Dumb-Bell PH may be applying for a 24 hour liquor licence. It
was pointed out that this establishment is not in our parish.
• Bus time tables are out of date.
The Way Forward
A request was made to the local paper to advertise this Group and to
ask for more volunteers.
The Appraisal Group is a way for the village to take responsibility
for itself in partnership with Bucks C.C., Chiltern District and the
Parish Council. Cllr Mrs Smith also hoped that this Group may also
assist to set up a small museum in the Village.
Election of Chairman
On the proposition of Mrs Priestley, seconded by Mrs Wall, Cllr Mrs
Smith was nominated as Chairman. No other nominations being
received, Cllr Mrs Smith was duly elected for the ensuing year.
Election of Secretary
On the proposition of Cllr Mrs Bacon, seconded by Mrs Priestley, Sue
Moffat was nominated as Secretary. No other nominations being
received, Sue Moffat was duly elected for the ensuing year.
Election of Treasurer
On the proposition of Cllr Horne, seconded by Mrs Priestley, Sue
Furze was nominated as Treasurer. No other nominations being
received, Cllr Mrs Smith was duly elected for the ensuing year.
Any Other Business
Cmdr Wainwright asked if the appropriate Group would consider the
possibility of providing a cycle path along the A413 between
Chalfont St Peter and Chalfont St Giles. This was allocated to the
Transport Group to take on board.
No other business being raised, the meeting closed at 9.45 p.m. set
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