Meeting Minutes
2010-06-03 : Open Spaces
Chair issued instructions regarding emergency exits in the event of fire
Present – Cllr Janet Harper (Chair), Cllr John Hatton, Cllr Giles Heath, Cllr Desmond Quigley, Cllr Linda Smith
In attendance – Cllr Ken Adams, Cllr Isobel Darby, Mike Stevens (Head Haywarden) and the Parish Clerk
1p. Apologies –Cllr Brian Smith
2p. Declaration of interests – Cllr Harper declared an interested in the Annual Chilterns Awards to be discussed under item 4.
3p. To approve the minutes of meeting on 13th May 2010
Minutes were approved as a true record and signed.
4p. Correspondence
a. A resident had written to the Parish Council regarding the proposed improvements to Church Lane. The Clerk would investigate options for reducing the number of vehicles turning in the lane. The resident's concerns regarding footpaths would be directed to Bucks County Council and hanging baskets would be addressed to Mrs Warren of the VAG Environment Group would respond to concerns about the possible planting scheme. Action: Clerk
b. Registration of Commons. Mr Tibbets informed the Parish Council that there may be a need to check that common land within Chalfont St Peter has been registered under the 1965 Commons Registration Act. The Clerk would investigate. Action: Clerk
c. The Chilterns Awards. Nominations are sought by 30th June 2010. It was agreed that the Misbourne River Action Group be nominated for the Chilterns Wildlife and Landscape Award. RECOMMEND: The Parish Council nominate the Misbourne River Action Group for the Chilterns Wildlife and Landscape Award. Action: Clerk
5p To review action points from last minutes
a) Highway sign replacements. Cllr Hatton had received a response from Martin Bolton at Bucks County Council stating that they were unwilling to change their views regarding the amendments to the sign. Cllr Hatton would ask Cllr Brian Allen, Martin Tett and Chris Schwier at Bucks County Council for their views on Mr Bolton’s response. Action: Cllr Hatton
b) Cemetery regulations. Cllr Hatton has completed the regulations and is waiting for the review of charges by the Clerk. The Clerk will present these to Cllr Hatton shortly. Action: Clerk
c) Bus shelter, quote for repair to roof. A roofing contractor has been instructed and the roof is scheduled to be repaired on 15th June 2010.
d) Garden of Rest – A roofing contractor has been instructed and the roof is scheduled to be repaired on the 15th June 2010.
e) Austenwood Dell -- response to public. Councillors agreed that a definitive letter be sent to the Firs Estate Residents Association informing them again that there is no legal basis for the Parish Council to act to prevent future erosion of the estate’s privately owned road. The Clerk should seek confirmation from the Legal Department of Chiltern District Council to add to the letter. Action: Clerk
f) Litter bins/grit bins – replacement. Clerk is investigating the ownership of the existing litter, dog and grit bins within the parish. New styles of bins are to be agreed and priced. Cllr Darby confirmed that there was money within the budget for this. Action: Clerk
g) Responsibilities of BCC and CDC for litter problems and condition of pavements. Clerk to contact CDC again as the previous request for information had not been forthcoming. Action: Clerk
h) Memorial infringement – update. The Clerk had written to the stonemason and had given them until the 21st June to reply before legal action would be taken. Action: Clerk
i) Memorial bench. The bench had been delivered and will be installed during the summer by the haywardens. Action: Haywardens
j) Precinct – update. The potholes in the precinct car park had been repaired. There have not been repairs to the footpaths as yet. Clerk to monitor. Action: Clerk
k) Best kept allotment competition. Posters had been produced and would be displayed around the allotments. The closing date for entrants was 30th June 2010. Each entrant would pay £2.50. There would be an award for the best Novice (holding an allotment for under 2 years) and Standard (holding an allotment for over 2 years). The allotments would be judged during August. Cllrs Adams and Quigley agreed to appoint judges, prepare the criteria for judging, organise trophies and prizes and organise the presentations. They would report at the next meeting. Action: Cllrs Adams and Quigley
l) Garden of Rest – memorials/shoe system. Cllr Hatton had researched an alternative method of fixing memorials. The Shefford Shoe can be installed as single units or locked together with a bespoke spacer to provide a rigid and accurately spaced raft type layout which can then have a turf or gravel covering. Cllr Hatton would cost both shoe methods and present to the next committee meeting. Action: Cllr Hatton
6p. Allotments
a) Extend water pipes at Love’s Delight. Cllr Harper had been informed by two allotment holders that it would be possible to extend the current water pipes to provide three further taps for a cost of £300-£400. Cllr Harper would request greater detail of the costing. Action: Cllr Harper
b) Update existing signs on the allotments. The Clerk had ordered new ‘keep dogs on leads’ plastic adhesive signs. A proof of a bespoke sign detailing the health risk dog mess causes was tabled. The sign was approved. It was agreed that 12 signs would be ordered. Action: Clerk
c) Information sheet to new allotment holders. This information sheet had been prepared by Claire de Carle, a current allotment holder. It was agreed that this information should be placed on the allotment forum and the Parish Council would direct new allotment holders to it. Action: Clerk
d) Allotment forum. The forum is up and can be accessed via www.cspaf.co.uk/forum. This link would be put on the parish council website. Action: Clerk
e) Review of existing Allotment Tenancy Conditions. Cllrs Adams and Quigley are in the process of reviewing the conditions and the allotment maps. Action: Cllrs Adams and Quigley
f) Allotment holders meeting 19th June at 11am. It was hoped that there would be a similar turn out to the last meeting. It would be useful to have an idea of the water meter costs for the last year. Action: Clerk
7p. Change4Chalfont Community Orchard
Following the presentation by Erica Neustadt at the last committee meeting Cllrs had been considering the possible locations for the orchard. Following discussion it was agreed that the best approach would be to divide the orchard over the following three locations: Cheena Meadow, the triangle of land at end of Love’s Delight allotments and the Silver Jubilee Gardens (land adjacent to A413). It should be noted that the Silver Jubilee Gardens are owned by Chiltern District Council and permission would need to be sought from them. Action: Clerk and Cllr Harper
8p. Information items
a) An invitation to the Colne Valley Park Wildlife and Recreation Forum on 9th June at 7pm at the Colne Valley Visitor Centre had been received. Any Cllrs interested in attend should inform the Clerk. Action: All Cllrs
b) PCSO Issy Brennan had informed the committee that they had applied for a Chiltern District Council Community Safety Grant to provide 2 kissing gates and 6 motorcycle nuisance barriers to prevent anti-social behaviour. Should the grant application be successful they would like the Parish Council and allow the haywardens to assist in erecting the barriers. A variety of proposed barriers was provided for the committee to look at. The Council would prefer a more rustic looking barrier than those presented, the Clerk would inform PCSO Brennan. Action: Clerk
c) Cllr L Smith had been contacted by a resident regarding the continuing use of part of the common for parking vehicles. Cllr L Smith thought this issue had been raised before and asked the Clerk to investigate any previous correspondence. Action: Clerk
d) Footpath from Bench Manor Crescent down to shops. A request had been received some time ago to put a path between Bench Manor Crescent and the shops. The highways department at Bucks County Council will be asked to carry out a feasibility study. This could be added to next year’s delegated budget. Action: Clerk
Date of next meeting Thursday 1st July 2010
There would be a site visit to Gold Hill playground at 7pm
Meeting closed at 10.00pm
