Little Gaddesden Parish Council
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD on16th April, 2016
PLEASE NOTE THAT MINUTES ARE ALSO PUBLISHED ON THE VILLAGE WEB SITE
The meeting commenced at 8.05pm.
Present : Cllrs. Archer (Chair), Heaphy, Hyde, Irving (Vice Chair), Kelly, Kutluoglu, Townsend, Alastair Greene (Clerk), County Councillor David Lloyd, Borough Cllr. Terry Douris, and thirty members of the public.
Apologies : None
1. FORMALITIES
Election of Chair and Vice Chair. Cllr. Louise Archer was proposed and seconded for the position of Chair and Cllr. Rob Irving was proposed and seconded for the position of Vice Chair. Both signed Declarations of Acceptance of Office and agreed to observe the Council’s Code of Conduct.
The attendance register was signed. There were no declared interests on items of the agenda and hence 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
The Chairman invited members of the public to raise any issues/ask questions of the Councillors.
Virginia Westmacottadvised that there had been a cycle race the previous day that had almost caused an accident at the junction between Hudnall Lane and Nettleden Road. She asked that residents be given notice of such events and that cyclists give proper consideration to other roadusers. The Clerk was asked to contact the organisers to see if the event could be better marshalled.
Barbara Sheard said that often runners coming up the hill from Nettleden were vulnerable to vehicular traffic, again motorists need to be warned of the events to ensure that they drive with caution.
3. REPORTS AND MATTERS ARISING
1. Police Report for April.
Two PCSO’s hand delivered the April report. The report indicated only one crime, access was gained to Ashridge Business School causing damage. A police surgery will take place outside the shop between 1100 and 1130 on 27th May 2016.
Note that the full report is available on the Police page on the web site.
2. Village Survey
Cllr. Rob Irving presented the results of the Village Survey.He reminded everyone that the aim of the survey was to survey parish opinion on some current issues as a basis for guiding Council priorities and decisions. The questions that were asked in the survey had been carefully prepared with professional assistance and the answers given had been automatically formatted into the slides for presentation. The Council had then interpreted the results to generate likely policy responses and these are all contained in the results pack that was presented but that can also be viewed in the News page of the web site. 184 responses had been received and these were a mix of individual responses and household responses. Bearing in mind the Parish had a population of 900 or some 450 households this represented a strong response and a response level of three times the survey carried out in 2014.
At the end of the presentation, Parishioners attending the meeting were asked to work in small groups and to identify the top five ideas from the individual comments that were generated from the survey. There will be some further collation and analysis of the individual additional comments that parishioners made during the meeting and they will be the subject of further and ongoing discussions at future Parish meetings.
At the end of the discussion, questions arose from those present as to whether the level of response was satisfactory. Penny Holland said that although the work done was really valuable it was important to try and engage with others who had not responded. Another parishioner who works for Ipsos Mori, the market research experts, said that the response rate would be considered excellent for this type of survey. County Councillor David Lloyd agreed and said that in his experience getting public participation is difficult and he quoted 15-30% as not unusual for an election for example.
At the end of the session, Cllr. Archer proposed a vote of thanks to Cllr. Irving on the good work he had undertaken.
3. Playground inspections.
The Clerk advised that whilst previously the Council had relied on the annual inspection of the playground and equipment by professional safety inspectors, the Council’s insurers had advised that to reduce the risk of claims, the Council needed to carry out interim inspections too. The Clerk had prepared a checklist which had been tested by both the Clerk and separately by Cllr. Archer and it was agreed that this form would be adopted for interim quarterly inspections, with Cllr Hyde volunteering to do the next one (due in July).
4. Cricket boundary boards
The Council had received a request from the Cricket Club to contribute to the cost of the provision of safety boards to prevent the cricket balls from leaving the playing field. The Councillors asked for alternatives to boards to be considered, including possible use of the old timber from the fence to be replaced or possible use of chicken wire rather than boards. The Clerk was asked to investigate costs.
5. Judicial review of Borough Council Planning decisions
The Clerk confirmed that the Parish Council did not have financial authority to support judicial reviews of planning decisions.
6. Verge opposite the shop
A lot of old metal, bits and pieces of pottery and lumps of concrete had been removed from the verge and taken to the dump. The weeds had been sprayed and grass seed purchased as an interim solution to keeping this area tidy. County Cllr. David Lloyd confirmed he would be funding but asked the Clerk to double check the level of funding with Peter Wright.
7. Tesco – Bags of Help Grant
Cllr. Townsend confirmed that the National Trust would be happy to work with the Parish Council in seeking grant funding for the Village Pond.
8. Insurance renewal
The Clerk presented a comparison chart of the quotes received from the brokers Came and Company. They varied a little in policy cover but varied considerably in premium level. The Clerk recommended accepting the proposal from Hiscox which showed a significant saving on the current premium. He said that Hiscox have targeted smaller Parish Councils and on that basis were being able to offer very competitive rates. It was agreed to proceed with the 3 year option with Hiscox at a premium of £458.54pa.
9. Conversation with David Lloyd
David Lloyd confirmed that he had been re-elected Police and Crime Commissioner and of course remained the County Councillor for Bridgewater. He explained that he and Cllr Terry Douris were an effective team in supporting the village across their respective portfolios. David advised that Terry was the person to speak to in connection with potholes but he encouraged everyone to use the County Council online reporting system Herts direct, see link below.
Barbara Sheard asked in connection with works in the Highway whether the Village Store could be offered compensation for disruption to the business, last year there had been many interruptions for various works in the highway. David advised he had offered to help in hardship cases if loss could be demonstrated.
David advised that he had ring fenced £1.3m coming from traffic speed fines which he was intending to use in combating speed problems across Hertfordshire. He said he was looking for locations to ensure proof of concept relating to average speed cameras and that possibly Little Gaddesden could be included in the trials. Many villages as a precursor to installing average speed cameras had opted for installing a Speed Indicator Device (SID). This is a single pole device, solar powered and hence easy to install, which measures speed of individual vehicles and through a screen displays to the motorist either a smiley or sad face and the actual speed of the vehicle. The data collected does not record photographs and cannot identify individuals but does hold the data on speed of vehicles and that data can be downloaded and analysed to see whether there is a problem that may require additional measures to be taken. Such additional measures could include such things as average speed cameras, chicanes etc. Helen Irving mentioned that she did not like these devices and felt they patronised motorists.
The Clerk confirmed that under the funding arrangements the Parish Council had not at this stage received funding for average speed cameras but in accordance with the principles outlined by David Lloyd, had received funding for the installation of an SID and funding for a review of the data gathered from the SID, to consider alterative longer term strategies for combating speeding. The award was for c. £9,000. The Council asked the Clerk to acknowledge the award but to take no action on implementation until the opportunity had been thoroughly reviewed by the Parish Council.
10. Request for a new Field Gate
The Clerk advised that he had received a request from the grounds maintenance contractor, Malcolm Weaver, for the installation of a new field gate between the car park adjacent to the Bowls Club and the playing field. Malcolm had offered to purchase and install the gate at his own cost but was hopeful of a contribution from the Council. It was agreed that the Council would pay for materials, estimated at £148, if Malcolm was providing the labour. The Clerk was asked to give Malcolm consent to proceed with the works.
4. ADMINISTRATION
Correspondence
The Clerk read out a letter of thanks from the Mayor who very much enjoyed his tour of the village including the Bowls and Croquet Club, Bede Court, the Village Store, the Scout Hut and a super WI Tea Party. He passed his thanks onto all who had participated in the visit.
Finance
The Clerk confirmed that the full Annual Return needed to be signed off by the Parish Council at the June 20th meeting in time for submission to the external auditor BDO LLP by the 27th June 2016. The Internal auditor would be reporting back by the end of May.
a.Cheques approved
Clerk – Salary & PAYE for May
Village Hall Manager – Salary for May
SRT Trading Limited - £220 plus vat – Warden Services (May invoice)
Clerk – Petty cash – £154.78
MWAgri – Contract payment for May plus verge spraying £525.50 plus vat
Rod Wilson – Tree surgery £2,200 plus vat
Came and Co insurance £458.54
Daniel Bunting - £100 plus vat
b. Cheques/payments received
LGVH Management Committee - Village Hall Manager salary
PLANNING SCHEDULE - CURRENT APPLICATIONS (status at 16th May 2016)
(Yellow highlights show changes since previous meeting)
VALLEY VIEW, PLANNING AND COMPULSORY PURCHASE ACT 2004, SECTION 55 AND SCHEDULE 2 (Appeal Ref 2214146)
Application by Jade Golby Webb. Site at Valley View, Hemel Hempstead Road, Dagnall, BERKHAMSTED, HP4 1QR – No decision yet made
OTHER APPLICATIONS
LITTLE BEANEY, NETTLEDEN ROAD NORTH, LITTLE GADDESDEN, BERKHAMSTED, HP4 1PE
DEMOLITION OF EXISTING DWELLING AND REPLACEMENT WITH NEW DWELLING AND GARAGE.4/02680/15/FULCllrs. Kelly and Townsend attended the April Dev Control meeting and spoke against the application. George Godar spoke for the RHS against the application. DBC decided to grant consent to a slightly amended scheme. Confirmation of decision from DBC awaited.
BLUE COTTAGE, RINGSHALL ROAD, RINGSHALL, BERKHAMSTED, HP4 1ND. WORKS TO TREES.4/03305/15/TCA. No objection from LGPC, DBC decision awaited
PHEASANT FIELD, ASHRIDGE PARK, LITTLE GADDESDEN, BERKHAMSTED, HP4 1NP
NEW DRIVEWAY. 4/03640/15/FHA Objection by LGPC,New plans submitted, LGPC does not object to the modified plans. DBC decision awaited.
THE HAWTHORNES, HUDNALL LANE, LITTLE GADDESDEN, BERKHAMSTED, HP4 1QQ
TWO-STOREY REAR EXTENSION AND CONSERVATORY. REPLACEMENT OF EXISTING SINGLE STOREY SIDE EXTENSION, CONVERSION OF EXISTING INTEGRAL GARAGE TO STUDY, CONVERSION OF ROOF SPACE, CONSTRUCTION OF DETACHED OAK BARN TO ACCOMMODATE TWO CARS, ENCLOSURE FOR REPLACEMENT OIL TANK AND GARDEN/BICYCLE STORE. 4/00260/16/FHA No objection by LGPC to revised scheme with garage removed from the front, DBC decision awaited.
GABLE END COTTAGE, CHURCH ROAD, LITTLE GADDESDEN, BERKHAMSTED, HP4 1NZ
WORKS TO TREES. 4/00654/16/TPO.No objection from LGPC. Granted by DBC
48 NETTLEDEN ROAD NORTH, LITTLE GADDESDEN, BERKHAMSTED, HP4 1PH
FELL PORTUGUESE LAUREL. 4/00656/16/TCA. For info only. DBC decision – Raise No Objection
5, LITTLE GADDESDEN HOUSE, LISTED BUILDING WORKS, 4/00707/16/LBC
Supported by LGPC. Not yet decided by DBC
WINDYRIDGE, HUDNALL LANE NEW DETACHED GARAGE. 4/00814/16/FHA
Objection by LGPC. Not yet decided by DBC
PRINCES RIDING, EXTENSION, PORT and POOL. 4/00841/16/FHA
No objection from LGPC. Not yet decided by DBC
CEDAR LODGE, ASHRIDGE PARK, GARAGE EXTENSION. 4/00859/16/FHA
No objection from LGPC. Not yet decided by DBC
WHITE RAILS COTTAGE, HUDNALL CORNER, TWO STOREY SIDE EXTENSION AND FIRST FLOOR EXTENSION OVER GARAGE TO PROVIDE ANCILLARY HABITABLE SPACE, FRONT DORMERS AND DETACHED CAR PORT. 4/00925/16/FHA
No objection from LGPC. Not yet decided by DBC
Additions since last meeting
THE BROWN HOUSE, DEMOLITION OF OUTBUILDINGS AND ERECTION OF STABLES, 4/01067/16/FUL. No objection from LGPC subject to the authorised use of building being for the stabling of horses together with an ancilliary store and log store and for no other purpose including other agricultural uses without the approval in writing of the LPA. All the existing non-residential buildings including the cattery to be demolished and taken away from site as part of the consent.Not yet decided by DBC
13 RINGSHALL ROAD, RINGSHALLPROPOSED ALTERATIONS, EXTENSION AND INPROVEMENTS TO DWELLING 4/01157/16/LBC Under consideration by LGPC, No decision from DBC
THE COACH HOUSE, NETTLEDEN ROAD NORTH, DORMER TO MATCH EXISTING AND INSTALLATION OF VELUX WINDOWS TO GARAGE 4/01192/16/FHA Under consideration by LGPC, No decision from DBC
6 CHURCH ROADSINGLE STOREY REAR EXTENSION, TWO STOREY SIDE EXTENSION, LOFT CONVERSION, GARAGE EXTENSION AND INTERNAL ALTERATIONS. 4/01205/16/FHA
Under consideration by LGPC, No decision from DBC
54 NETTLEDEN ROAD, WORKS TO HORSE CHESTNUT TREE (T1)4/01251/16/TCA
Under consideration by LGPC, No decision from DBC
NUTFIELD COTTAGE, HUDNALL COMMON, DETACHED GARAGE4/01280/16/FHA
Under consideration by LGPC, No decision from DBC
5. ADDITIONAL MATTERS.
Cllr. Kelly advised that there had been some discussion about repairing one of the former concrete cricket pads for use as a practice area. He will bring forward the item to the next meeting.
Cllr. Hyde said she would be meeting Jeremy Fennell (Cricket) on Saturday.
Cllr. Heaphy said she was meeting the National Trust and would raise issues of concern from parishioners with them including the digging up and removal of daffodils by the NT.
The meeting closed at 9.35pm
Next meeting 20th June 2016