Meeting Minutes
2010-05-13 : Open Spaces
Present – Cllr Janet Harper (Chair), Cllr Pam Bacon, Cllr John Hatton, Cllr Giles Heath, Cllr Desmond Quigley, Cllr Brian Smith and Parish Clerk.
In attendance – Cllr Ken Adams, Cllr Isobel Darby, Mike Stevens (Head Haywarden)
79p. Apologies –None
80p. Declaration of interests – None
81p. To approve the Minutes of meeting on 1st April 2010
Minutes were approved as a true record, subject to minor amendments, and signed.
82p. Erica Neustadt of Change4Chalfont talked about the Community Orchard
A grant has been secured to purchase 30 apple and pear trees each about 6.5 ft tall. The orchard could either be in one location or split across two. Change4Chalfont would provide plant, frame and maintain the trees. The proposed locations are:
Cheena Meadow one small orchard of 15 trees near the play park in Cheena Meadow (the remaining 15 trees possibly near the play park in Mill Meadow). This would enhance the existing recreational facility, providing shade, is close to a school allowing it to be used as a curriculum resource and would catch existing foot traffic. The location at the back of the meadow would still allow enough space for ball games.
Mill Meadow Play Park: The entire orchard could be located here (or the remaining 15 trees should Cheena Meadow be used). Cllr Hatton noted that there was a natural bank close to the car park which could be used providing the added benefit of providing a barrier from the carpark to the meadow.
Cllrs asked what would happen if trees were vandalised. Ms Neustadt confirmed that Change4Chalfont would remove damaged trees but would not replace them. Youth groups within the village such as the youth club and scouts were going to be involved in fundraising for the orchard and help plant the trees. Given this it is hoped that the youth of the village would take ownership of the orchard.
Mill Meadow, land adjacent to A413: This was a large open space, which already had benches. Its close proximity to the busy A413 does not make it an ideal location although there is a hedge screening the site from the road. It does have a lot of passing traffic and trees are less likely to be vandalised.
Grass area outside Apex physiotherapy: This would discourage parking on this piece of land on busy days. Cllrs explained that this parking was probably needed occasionally by visitors to the Community Centre.
St Peter’s Garden: This site is ideally located in the centre of the village. Charles Overton, the vicar for St Peter’s Church has agreed that he would be happy for an orchard to be planted here.
Triangle of land and end of Love Delight’s allotments: This land has never been cultivated, it is next to a footpath and therefore benefits from existing foot traffic, it is close to a school and a source of water. School children passing the orchard several times a day throughout the year would be able to observe the development of fruit though the year, which is one of the reasons for the orchard. Cllrs Adams and Quigley felt that the allotment holders may not be happy with this location as it may encourage people to walk over the allotments and pick some of the produce growing there. Ms Neustadt had considered this and would demark the orchard from the allotments using a trellis, signs would also be erected. Cllr Heath also felt that this was not a good space due to its proximity to the allotments. Cllr Harper pointed out that the allotments are a public amenity for use by the entire community.
Ms Neustadt informed the committee that a community orchard exists in Chorleywood and details could be found on www.chorleywood-orchard.org.uk. This orchard has been very successful and there are plans to increase its size.
Cllr Harper thanked Ms Neustadt and asked committee members to think about all the potential locations and also to investigate the Chorleywood orchard. Cllr Hatton suggested that a voting sheet be prepared and sent to the committee. Cllr Smith suggested that the voting sheet should also be put on the website. A recommendation to Council would need to be agreed at the next Open Spaces committee meeting on 3rd June. Action Clerk
83p. Site visit to Garden of Rest review
There was a brief discussion as a result of the site visit to the Garden of Rest to talk with Tony Holt of Foster Memorials. Mr Foster was a keen advocate of the shoe system which proved to make headstone installation easy to regulate and maintain. Cllr Darby was concerned that stones still may settle using the shoe system. It was agreed that another stonemason be contacted to talk about alternative methods. Cllr Hatton would research this and arrange another visit. Action Cllr Hatton
Cllr Darby had noted that not all headstones had the number of the plot displayed on the back. She asked if regular checks were made to ensure that the Council’s cemetery regulations were being adhered to and what action was taken if they were not. After discussion it was agreed that any request for a memorial that deviated form the current regulations should be brought to the Open Spaces committee. Action Clerk
Mike Stevens requested that the wire fencing in the Garden of Rest be removed as it no longer served a purpose. This was agreed. Action Haywardens
Cllr Harper had noticed a lot of rubbish floating around and asked that the haywardens keep it under check. Action Haywardens
84p. Correspondence
Cllr Hatton referred to a letter from Piers Sabine of Two Roofs, Cherrytree Lane regarding the damage caused to the edges of Gold Hill Common East by lorries and cars. Cllr Smith agreed to visit the site and take photos and contact Mr Sabine and report back to the next meeting. Action Cllr Smith
Chalfont St Peter Community Association had written to the Parish Council regarding the Council’s sign on the A413. They felt that the sign, indicating with an arrow, the turning for the Council offices was confusing motorists as a right turn was not allowed. Councillors did not feel that this was an issue as there were adequate highway signs that did indicate no right turn. It was agreed that when the sign is replaced this would be reviewed. Clerk to write a letter to them. Action Clerk
The organisers of the Children’s Society May Fayre on 22nd May 2010 have asked for permission to use the St Peter’s Garden for pony rides. The pony rides will be provided by the British Horse Society and are fully insured and the Garden will be cleaned up and made good afterwards. This request was approved. Action Chair
85p To review action points from last Minutes
a) Highway sign replacements –Cllr Hatton presented the proof of the proposed sign. It was agreed that he would request a different shade of blue and the addition of The Domesday date 1086. 2 signs would replace the existing signs on the A413, 1 on Packhorse Road and 1 on Narcot Lane. Cllr Hatton would ask to keep the old signs which may be used at other entrances to the village. Action Cllr Hatton
b) Cemetery regulations – The Council’s charges are being reviewed by the Clerk. Cllr Hatton will shortly complete the revised regulations. Action Clerk and Cllr Hatton
c) Request for bollards near Pond cottages – update –see 84p.
d) Bus shelter, quote for repair to roof. Two quotes had been received the Clerk is awaiting one other. Clerk to check if this repair is covered by the Council’s insurance as it was caused by criminal damage. Action Clerk
e) Garden of Rest – quotation for repairs to roof of brick building. Two quotes have been received the Clerk is awaiting one more. Action Clerk
f) Best Kept Village strategy. An executive decision had been made not to enter the competition this year.
g) Austenwood Dell -- response to public
Councillors agreed that a definitive letter be sent to the Firs Estate Residents Association informing them that the Parish Council are not responsible for this area. The Clerk should seek legal advice from the Legal Department of Chiltern District Council prior to sending the letter. Action Clerk
h) Litter bins/grit bins – replacement
Cllr Hatton had taken photos of most of the bins within the village to demonstrate their varied style and condition. A number looked unsightly especially when blue bin bag liners were visible. Mike Stevens reported that Verdant regularly left bins in this state.
A number of bins are provided by Chiltern District Council, and some old styles have since been disconnected which has led to the variety of bins the village has today. Clerk to confirm which bins belong to the Parish Council. Action Clerk
A new style of bin is to be agreed and priced, ideally one which had a roof and where the inner bin liner was not visible. If the cost was reasonable then the bins should be purchased in bulk so that existing bins can be replaced and a number could be kept as spares. The Clerk would research bins styles and obtain prices. Action Clerk
i) 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
j) Application for playground grant. The grant application had been forwarded to Bucks County Council. Councillors thanked Cllr Harper for all her hard work in putting together this application.
k) Memorial infringement – update. Cllr Hatton reported that he had been unable to contact anyone to discuss the infringement. The application for the memorial arrived on the same day it was to be installed. The memorial erected did not correspond to the drawings provided. It was agreed that a letter be sent to the stonemason regarding the breach giving him 14 days to respond otherwise legal advice would be sought. Action Clerk
l) Memorial bench – The bench and plaque had been ordered and was due within the next couple of weeks. The Haywardens had identified a suitable location.
m) Precinct – update. There had not been a response to the Clerk’s letter of 25th March 2010. Clerk to chase. Action Clerk
86p. Allotment meeting - review minutes and consider action
Given the time and the number of issues to be discussed it was agreed that this agenda item would be dealt with at the next committee meeting on 3rd June 2010. Action Clerk
87p. Request for work experience 2010
Cllr Smith reported that the Council office was not currently in a position to provide work experience to local schoolchildren.
88p. Information items
· Cllr Smith had noticed that weeds were already coming through the tarmac cycle track. Cllr Heath thought the track was not yet complete. Clerk to monitor. Action Clerk
Date of next meeting Thursday 3rd June 2010
Meeting closed at 10.05pm
