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LITTLE G A D D ESD EN parish council
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL on 20thMarch, 2017
PLEASE NOTE THAT MINUTES ARE ALSO PUBLISHED ON THE VILLAGE WEB SITE
The meeting commenced at 8.00pm.
Present : Cllrs. Archer, Hyde, Irving, Kelly & Townsend, Alastair Greene (Clerk), Borough Cllr. Terry Douris and eleven members of the public.
Apologies : Cllr.Heaphy
1. FORMALITIES
The attendance register was signed. There were no declared interests on items on the agenda and no requests for dispensation to speak. The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as a correct record of the meeting and were signed.
2. OPEN SESSION FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
Cllr. Archer asked if anyone wished to raise any matters.
Mike Walsham said that Sandra Walsham had written to the Council to express concern about parking of builders vehicles on the footpath along Nettleden Road and about the debris stridden footway between October House and Ringshall. The Clerk was asked to help resolve these problems.
Virginia Westmacott said that she had noted a large mirror had been erected at Windyridge in Hudnall lane and asked whether that was permitted. The Clerk was asked to investigate.
Richard Baker said that there had been a problem with parking the previous weekend at Bede Court. Cllr. Archer noted that an e-mail had been received from the football club expressing concern about how this was handled by the residents of Bede Court. Cllr. Irving summarised the e-mail. It was agreed that Cllr. Kelly would ask the football club to provide a parking marshall. The Clerk advised that the football club had asked him to seek a quote for permanent signs encouraging users of the Church Road car park to park up against the fence to maximise the capacity of the car park.
3. REPORTS AND MATTERS ARISING
(a)Police Report. The Clerk presented the Police Report for the previous month. He advised that there were no reported crimes in Little Gaddesden in February. He confirmed that he had written on behalf of the Council to the Police and Crime Commissioner to ascertain how cybercrime reporting was being managed and that he would be asked to speak on that at the April meeting.
(b)Co-option process – The Clerk confirmed that following the advertising of the vacancy for a Councillor an application had been received from Matthew Hargreaves and that he met the eligibility criteria for selection. The Councillors agreed unanimously to select Matthew for the post. Cllr Archer confirmed that she would speak to Matthew to confirm his selection.
(c)Code of Conduct document – The Clerk advised that whilst the document was due for review it was very much a standard document. The Councillors confirmed that they were happy to re-adopt it with a new review date of March 2019.
(d)Training and Development Policy.–The Clerk said that he had written the draft policy as part of his CILCA training and as it summarised the current process, asked whether the Council was happy to adopt it as their policy. Cllr. Irving asked as an example, how it would impact on the new Councillor. The Clerk explained that Matthew would receive an induction pack and be encouraged to attend two Councillor Training sessions offered by HAPTC and paid for by the Council. The Councillors agreed to adopt the policy.
(e)Report back on the meeting held with Dacorum Planners–Cllr. Kelly advised that the purpose of the meeting had been to discuss the possibility of working with the Dacorum Planning team in the development of a Conservation Area Character Appraisal (CACA). CACA’s had been produced for other villagers and the Parish Council felt that having the Appraisal would make it easier to respond to applications in the village where ‘Character’ was an issue, Little Beaney being an example of that. Cllr. Archer said that she felt the meeting had been another step in building a good relationship with the Dacorum Planning team. Cllr. Hyde confirmed that the Rural Heritage Society (RHS) were aware of the discussion. (George Godar, Chair of the RHS was in attendance at this Parish meeting)
(f)Progress on projects identified through the Village Survey.
Lady Marion Alford Memorial – Cllr. Archer confirmed she had received a quotation from a company that could clean the memorial and was seeking a further quote. The Clerk confirmed that with such a specialised service, if it was not possible to obtain an additional quotation the Council could resolve to proceed with a single quotation.
Cromer Close Play equipment – Cllr. Archer confirmed that she together with Cllr. Hyde and the Clerk had held a meeting with Caloo, a playground equipment supplier to talk about the cost of installing new swings. The Clerk confirmed that he had just received the quote which for 3 swings (two conventional flat seats and one ‘birds nest’ seat) would cost £5,500 plus vat. With the additional also of a child’s swing seat (i.e. 4 new swings in total) the cost would be £6,500 plus vat. This quote included protective grass matting, delivery and installation. If the existing swings were to be retained the quote would reduce by £285.
Chris Mawhood, who had previously conducted a residents’ survey, confirmed that swings were the most popular item and that the current queuing for swings meant that the new swings needed to be in addition to the existing swings, not as replacement for them.
It was acknowledged that the winding up of the Youth Group had provided a helpful contribution of £540 to the funding but it was agreed that at this level of spend competitive bids would be necessary. The Clerk was asked to obtain them.
(g)Update on the proposed Weight ban on the A4146 at Water End – Cllr. Hyde read out an e-mail from Borough Cllr. Douris.
‘ With regard to the A4146, the current scheduled opening date is 18th April at which time the A4146 will automatically become the B440. This does not include the weight restriction. This is a long and complicated process involving 3 authorities. The next that LGPC will hear is when the formal notices are published but this will not include a further leaflet consultation. The current thinking is that the ban should be in place by the end of the year. Obviously I will keep you up-dated but at the moment save for the new road opening there is nothing further to report.’
Cllr. Douris added, in response to a question as to whether HGV’s would be immediately encouraged to use the new link rather than the reclassified B440, that he thought so and that in any case he had just asked whether it was possible to erect blue signs saying ‘Not suitable for HGV’s.
(h)To receive an update on the Ringshall flooding issue – The Clerk confirmed that Mr McQuaid at the County Council had advised on March 1st, that the borehole work would take place in the next few weeks. At the time of this meeting the works were still awaited.
(i)Theelectrical supply to the Green – The Clerk advised that the total cost for UK Power, E-on and the Parish Council’s electrician to install a cabinet and supply to the Green was approximately £3,000. Cllr. Kelly agreed to help the Clerk in reducing the cost. With a 56 day lead time for the electricity supplier, it was agreed that this action should be progressed as soon as possible. Cllr. Irving reminded the Council that other groups in the village had offered to support the cost of the permanent electricity supply.
(j)Next steps on the verge opposite the shop – The Clerk confirmed that since the last meeting the County Council had consented to the proposed works, subject to replacement trees being planted and there having been sufficient consultation. The Tree Officer at Dacorum, Colin Chambers had also given an in principle approval, although a formal application was necessary. The Clerk made an online application on 10th March through the government planning portal for the tree removal in the Conservation area. The Clerk confirmed that a meeting had been arranged for the 21st March with Ringway, the HCC contractor, to determine whether they could carry out the works and do so in the road closure period set aside for the surface dressing of Nettleden Road in mid to late May. Councillor Townsend agreed to attend and the Clerk confirmed that Amit Odedra had also been invited to attend.
Cllr. Archer advised that she and the Clerk had also arranged to meet Amit midway between Parish meetings to keep him updated on progress.
(k)Parish Paths Partnership update – Cllr. Townsend confirmed that funding would be available again under this initiative from HCC and that hehad nominated the stretch of path from Cromer Close to the play area as a candidate for resurfacing.
(l)Update on superfast broadband – Cllr. Archer explained that she received an update on plans for the installation of superfast broadband as follows:-
Cabinet 1 - a new fibre cabinet towards junction of Hudnall Lane and Nettleden Road – subject to a wayleave issue, wayleave must be signed in order to gain access to private land to deploy new fibre cabinet – depending on how long this process takes from the landlord, it may be up to 6 months before the cabinet is stood and a fibre broadband service is available for the community – September 2017
Cabinet 3 – on Nettleden Road towards war memorial – a new fibre cabinet is due to be stood soon towards the end of March, with power and fibre connections then to be made, so towards May/June 2017
Cabinet 4 – Ringshall - a new fibre cabinet currently awaiting date from power supplier when it can provide power access, but current estimates are that it may be delivered and offering service within 3 months – end of June 2017
Cabinet 5 – a new fibre cabinet serving Hudnall Community – already live providing fibre services
(m)Communication with the National Trust (NT) – The Clerk confirmed that the NT had asked for liaison with the National Trust to be focused through the Parish representative on the Ashridge Estates Committee – Cllr. Rachel Heaphy. The Cllrs. acknowledged the request.Virginia Westmacott asked who controls the permitted routes for horse riding on National trust land. Cllr. Archer said that question would be taken forward by Rachel.
(n)Planning Enforcement – Cllr. Townsend confirmed that following discussions between Dacorum Planners and the Parish Council, Dacorum were proposing to consent to the Field Shelter opposite Cromer Close subject to no commercial or livery use, and no overnight parking.
On the matter of the development of a large building in the garden of Witchcraft Hill, Cllr. Townsend advised that the Dacorum enforcement team had visited the site and had requested that a planning application be submitted.
(o)Hire of the Church Road Car Park –The Clerk confirmed that arrangements had been made with Left Bank Pictures for them to hire the car park for general parking and for the hosting of their catering activity on 10th March. The filming work progressed satisfactorily and the Council negotiated a fee of £750 which would be added to general project funding.
4. ADMINISTRATION
Correspondence
1. Query from Sarah Cox about a defibrillator, which sparked a debate about whether the First responders were sufficient to cover the village and what had happened to the collection that had taken place at the pub for a defibrillator. The Clerk advised that the First responders are called out by the ambulance service, whereas a locally placed defibrillator was a self-service option for those either trained or comfortable with following the automatic instructions issued by the machine. Cllr. Hyde and Anne Wooster confirmed that Paul Woods was holding the funds and that the installation was due to take place imminently on an outside wall of the Bridgewater Arms.
Cllr. Archer asked whether there was interest in providing an additional defibrillator in the vicinity of the school/village hall/sports pavilion where much of the activity of the village takes place and where its demand/use may be of particularly value. It was agreed to give the matter further consideration at a later date.
2. Fiona Masters had noted what a great job had been done by the County Council in clearing back grass verge that had spread over the footway, giving a nice clear wide path from Cromer Close towards Home Farm. The County Council had been unclear about ownership fronting the properties owned by Dan Graham and Anne Wooster so had not completed the clearance past those properties. The Clerk advised that both Dan and Anne had kindly agreed to cut back the creeping grass verge to keep a good width of path available.
3. Paulette Reed had copied the Parish Council into an e-mail she had written to Cllr. Douris about the potholes in Chapel Close. Cllr. Douris had taken the matter up with Dacorum as owners of the Chapel Close.
4. Letter from Sandra Walsham already covered in the public session above.
5. Liz Toop had asked about garden lighting in a village location, a boundary issue and a date for the kerb raising at Nettleden Road. On the last Cllr. Douris confirmed that the works were funded for 2017/18. Liz also asked about overhanging trees opposite her house in Nettleden Road and the Clerk was asked to take the matter up with the owners of Robin Hood House and with the National Trust.
Finance
a. Chequesapproved
HAPTC – Training for Cllr. Townsend £40 no vat
Clerk & Village Hall Manager – Salary & PAYE for March
SRT Trading Limited – £220 plus vat – Warden Services (March invoice)
MWAgri – £465.50 plus vat Contract payment for March
Clerk – Petty cash – £106.64 Dog bags and stationery
Summit Roofing Ltd – Village Hall repairs £495 plus vat
b. Cheques/payments received
LGVH Management Committee - Village Hall Manager salary
Contribution from Gaddesden Society for the Christmas tree (£165.31)
Donation to LGPC from the winding up of the Youth Club (£540)
c.The Council agreed that the summary of the activities carried out by the Parish Council over the year enabled the Chairman to sign the Annual Governance Statement for 2016/17.
d. The Council approved the report on expenditure with the cashbook reconciled with the bank statement (1st April 2016 to end of Feb 2017) and noted that the balance in the bank stood at £36,600 on the assumption of a successful vat reclaim from HMRC on expenditure until the end of Feb.
PLANNING SCHEDULE - CURRENT APPLICATIONS(status at 20th March, 2017)
(Red text show changes since previous meeting)
BLUE COTTAGE, RINGSHALL ROAD, RINGSHALL, BERKHAMSTED, HP4 1ND. WORKS TO TREES. 4/03305/15/TCA.No objection from LGPC, DBC decision awaited
POOKS HILL, GOLF CLUB ROAD, REPLACEMENT DWELLING, 4/03127/16/FUL
Objection by LGPC,Cllrs. Archer and Townsend attended the Development Management Committee and explained the reasons for the Councils concern, however the Committee eventually consented to the proposal. Granted by DBC
GADDESDEN HOUSE, NETTLEDEN ROADFRONT, SIDE AND REAR SINGLE STOREY EXTENSIONS. LOFT CONVERSION AND ROOF EXTENSIONS. 4/03303/16/FHA Supported by LGPC, DBC Decision awaited
THE PAVILION, ASHRIDGE PARK,REMOVAL OF EXISTING ROOF AND CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW ROOF INCLUDING NEW FINISHES. 4/03382/16/FHA. Supported by LGPC, Granted by DBC
13 RINGSHALL ROAD, RINGSHALLPROPOSED ALTERATIONS, EXTENSION AND IMPROVEMENT TO EXISTING DWELLING. RECONSTRUCTION OF EXISTING SOLID FLOORS AND RESTORATION OF ORGINAL FIRE-PLACE IN SITTING ROOM. 4/03461/16/LBC. Supported by LGPC,
Granted by DBC
LAND AT NETTLEDEN ROAD, RETENTION OF EQUESTRIAN FIELD SHELTER AND SMALL AREA OF GATEWAY HARDSTANDING.4/00136/17/RETObjection by LGPC, Not yet decided by DBC though proposed conditions discussed with LGPC
SPRINGFIELD, NETTLEDEN ROAD NORTH, LITTLE GADDESDEN, VARIATION OF CONDITION 4 (APPROVED PLANS) ATTACHED TO PLANNING PERMISSION 4/02136/16/FHA (LOFT CONVERSION INCLUDING RAISING OF EAVES AND RIDGE LEVEL AND FULL HEIGHT REAR BAY WINDOW EXTENSION. ATTACHED GARAGE, SINGLE STOREY FRONT EXTENSION AND PORCH.4/00137/17/ROCSupported by LGPC, No decision from DBC
1 LITTLE GADDESDEN HOUSE, NETTLEDEN ROAD, WORKS TO TREES. 4/00146/17/TCASupported by LGPC, DBC decision, Raise no objection
22 RINGSHALL ROAD, RINGSHALLFIRST FLOOR SIDE EXTENSION. 4/00234/17/FHA.Supported by LGPC, No decision from DBC
18 RINGSHALL ROAD, RINGSHALLFELL BIRCH TREE, 4/00257/17/TPO. Supported by LGPC, No decision from DBC