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Little Gaddesden Parish Council
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL on MONDAY 16th March, 2015
PLEASE NOTE THAT MINUTES ARE ALSO PUBLISHED ON THE VILLAGE WEB SITE
http://www.littlegaddesden.org.uk
PRESENT: Cllr. Adams. (Chairman), Cllr. Archer (Deputy Chairman), Cllrs. Hyde, Kutluoglu, Parker, Heaphy
and Irving. Also in attendance, Alastair Greene (Clerk), invited guests Patrick Beynon, Herts Police, Lee
Clements, PSCO, Lawrence Trowbridge and Susie Mercer from the NT, and 13 members of the public.
APOLOGIES: Cllr. Tiley, DBC.
The meeting commenced at 8.00pm
1. FORMALITIES
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: For the Councillors who attended there were no recorded changes and
interests were therefore confirmed as:Cllr. Adams has an interest in the Sports Club;
Cllr. Heaphy has an interest in the Football Club and is editor of the Gaddesden Diary;
Cllr. Hyde has an interest in the Drama Club and Rural Heritage Society;
Cllr. Parker has an interest in the Village Produce Association, the Parochial Church Council and the
Gaddesden Society.
Cllr. Kutluoglu has an interest in the Football and Sports Club
Cllr. Irving has an interest as Chair, Gaddesden District Village Produce Association and is a member of
the Drama Club and Rural Heritage Society
Cllr. Archer has no interests to be declared;
The Attendance Register was signed by the Councillors and Clerk.
2. MINUTES - The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed and signed by the Chairman.
3.
POLICE REPORT
a. Police Report:A new style of Police Report was presented by Lee Clements. This contained crime statistics for
January 25th to February 25th, 2015 for Little Gaddesden and Dacorum with comments from both
the local Sergeant Peter Huffer as well as from Chief Inspector Glenn Channer and Police and Crime
Commissioner David Lloyd. The full report is posted separately on the web site and on the Parish
Notice board at the shop.
Signed by Chairman…………………Date……………………
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Little Gaddesden – (Jan 25 to Feb 25, 2015)
Offence
Dwelling Burglary
Burglary Other
Criminal Damage
Vehicle Crime
Anti-Social Behaviour
Other
No. In Parish
0
1
0
0
0
1*
No. in Dacorum
33
59
84
98
217
547
Sergeant’s Message reads as follows:Reported crime remains low across all our parishes as we start the New Year but please do be aware
of shed break-ins which tend to happen at this time of year. Secure your sheds and outbuildings
with good quality locks and, where possible, get your expensive gardening equipment security
marked (post coded or other property marking). Most people think of securing their homes but can
overlook that, on occasions, a thief will target sheds as a ‘softer’ option.
*Police patrol the rural areas on a regular basis. One such patrol, resulted in a 19-year-old man from
Chesham being stopped near Ashridge. Further investigation revealed that he had a small amount
of cannabis.
Now the winter weather is starting to break the Safer Neighbourhood Team will also be stepping
up road safety patrols to keep motorists, pedestrians and other road users safe. We will look out for
speeding vehicles as well as drivers using mobile phones and unsafe and/or uninsured vehicles.
If you have any concerns about crime or anti-social behaviour, please contact PCSO Lee Clements
on 101 or by email sntberkhamsteadandtring@herts.pnn.police.uk or you can contact me, if the
matter is of a more serious nature, on my Airwave radio when I am on duty on 01707 354192. (In
an emergency always use 999.)
Sgt Peter Huffer, Berkhamsted and Tring Safer Neighbourhood Team.
b. Police Communications.
A Police Page has now been set up on the village web site http://www.littlegaddesden.org.uk
and is updated as new reports come in.
c. Speed checks in the village
Cllr. Parker and the Clerk carried out a speed check between 8am and 9am on Monday 16th March.
on the approach to the village from the Ringshall direction. Over a dozen vehicles exceeded 36mph
in this 30mph area and one vehicle was recorded at 54mph. The Police will be sending letters to
vehicle owners.
Signed by Chairman…………………Date……………………
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d. Neighbourhood Watch
Patrick Beynon spoke about the work of the Neigbourhood Watch team, which, he suggests, is one
of the most successful crime prevention initiatives ever. It currently involves more than 70,000
households in Hertfordshire. Neighbourhood Watch members receive regular local policing updates
and alerts from their local policing team by e-mail using Hertfordshire’s OWL system. There are
handy links to other events going on and a Dogwatch site too. Patrick is very keen to add to the
membership.
You can join by visiting www.OWL.co.uk or by emailing your local Watch Liaison Officer at
wlo@herts.pnn.police or by e-mailing Patrick.beynon@herts.pnn.police.uk
4. MATTERS ARISING
a. Highways
Bucks CC have cut back the vegetation, debris and soil that had slumped over the Ringshall Road
pavement from the junction with Little Gaddesden Road to Goose Hill Farm. Cllr. Hyde obtained a
quote from Malcolm Weaver to do the last stretch, it is the 20m of pavement between the end of
the Ringshall Cottages flint wall and the Little Gaddesden Village turning, however the expenditure
was not approved. Cllr. Adams advised he had spoken to local residents to ask if they would help
clear that stretch. The Clerk had also reported this to Transport for Bucks to manage and with the
help of photos from Geoffrey Forster will speak to them to emphasise the need for a clear pathway
and if necessary repairs to the kerb.
The Clerk advised:(a) that a pothole right on the junction of Little Gaddesden Road and Ringshall Road had been
reported and filled by Transport for Bucks.
(b) The yellow bollard, that had been knocked over at Fourways junction, had been reported and
replaced by HCC.
(c) The poor drainage at 58-60 Nettleden Road had been discussed with the land owner, Mr
McQuinn of Robin Hood House. He was happy for fresh drainage cuts to be made into the verge
to drain off into the woods. The Clerk had subsequently reported this on the web site to HCC.
Lady Marian Alford Memorial
Cllr Hyde confirmed that the temporary protection afforded by the tree trunks was very helpful and
the NT were thanked for supporting this prevention of potential damage by heavy lorries turning at
the junction. It was agreed that ideas should now be sought for a permanent, attractive but
functional kerb barrier.
Fourways Junction accidents
The Clerk reported that together with Cllr. Kutluoglu and Cllr Heaphy, he had attended the recent
meeting of Studham Parish Council, who agreed to work with all parties to seek the necessary
improvements at this junction. Cllr. Richard Stay from Central Bedfordshire Council who was also at
the meeting advised he would meet with Herts County Councillor Lloyd to discuss how they could
resolve this dangerous piece of road.
Following their meeting, Cllrs. Stay and Lloyd suggested that a meeting be arranged with the officers
in April to consider potential options in the vicinity of the junction.
Signed by Chairman…………………Date……………………
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b. Open Spaces.
1. Walsham Bench
The Clerk confirmed that the insurance monies had been banked and that the family contribution
would be banked shortly.
2. Tree survey.
Cllr. Hyde confirmed that no planting would take place before the autumn.
3. Footpath 18 reinstatement following installation of ground source heating pipes.
No change since last month. The owner has now built his field shelter. The re-levelling and reseeding of the field and reinstating of footpath 18 will be completed as soon as good weather
allows.
4. Footpath 2, 3, & 27 Modification.
No further progress from HCC.
5. Scout lease.
The Clerk confirmed that the lease had been signed by the Trustees for the Scouts and was now
available for the Parish Council to sign.
6. Request for a Heritage sign for the Church.
Herts CC had approved, in principle, the installation of a heritage sign and had put forward some
alternative locations. After some discussion, it was agreed that the Clerk would meet with Church
representatives to agree the final positioning with the likely location to be under the Church Road
sign.
7. Drainage improvements
At the last meeting it was reported that several areas in the village were suffering from poor
drainage, in particular opposite the entrance to the Church and at the kissing gates to FP12 that
crosses Church Road towards the back of Bede Court. The Clerk was asked to make contact with
the field owner, Mr. Stanley, to get permission to carry out the works (a quote had been obtained
by Cllr. Hyde) and to contact Neil Rogers regarding the drainage problem next to the church.
The Clerk confirmed he had spoken with Mr Stanley who advised he was not keen to see stone
chips on his field, as that was out of keeping with the field. He had in the past kept the gate area
topped up with chipped bark though had not done that recently. During the meeting, the NT
advised that chippings and a membrane tend not to last and were not recommended by them on
their estate. They felt that stone chippings were the right solution. Clayton Rae, the Rights of Way
Officer, had said the same to the Clerk previously and advised that there should be no tray to
contain chippings, because they can act as a trip hazard and as an obstacle for pushchairs. It was
agreed the Clerk would discuss further with Mr Stanley. The Clerk confirmed he would speak to
Neil Rogers on the other matters.
8. National Trust discussion
Webb’s Copse area - Stiles
Lawrence Trowbridge, of the NT, confirmed that the stile at the South Park end of Webb’s Copse
on the Ashridge Boundary Trail had been replaced with a gate and the one at the field called the
Gallop was programmed for replacement with a gate in the spring. The Council suggested it would
be helpful if that was replaced before the Gaddesden Gallop takes place in May.
Signed by Chairman…………………Date……………………
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Surfacing of the car park on land opposite the Green
No planning application was made for this car park work as the NT regional planning team had
advised that planning permission would not be required. It was deemed that the current use of the
area was for car parking and they were advised that there was no change of use. Cllr. Kutluoglu
advised that even though the car park had been used for many years, surfacing amounted to
‘development’ and therefore did require consent. The Clerk was requested to contact DBC to
establish the correct planning procedures.
Tree clearance on the Golf course between holes 5 and 7
Lawrence advised that the National Trust at Ashridge hold a felling license that covers forestry
operations on the whole estate. It’s issued by the Forestry Commission and verified by Natural
England to cover their statutory obligations to preserve sites of special scientific interest. The tree
works adjacent to the Hook are forestry thinnings and part of the Ashridge Park Plan. The NT
suggested that they work collaboratively with Ashridge Golf club and Ashridge House to achieve the
long term vision for the park. Cllr. Adams requested better liaison and communications with the
village residents because there was a major lack of understanding of the NT’s longer term plans and
particularly the extent of the clearance, given that the contractor was paid in wood. The NT offered
to present the longer term plan to the village at the appropriate time. It was agreed that quarterly
meetings would ensure better communications between the Parish Council (and therefore to the
village) and the NT. Clerk to set up.
New bins for the Green.
It was confirmed by Lawrence that there had been a serious breakdown of their electrical motor
serving the saw mill, which meant that they could not give a firm date for delivery of the order
made by David Brattle last year. Cllr. Adams asked that an alternative supplier be approached.
Spirit of Place
Lawrence confirmed that the NT had consulted the local community to obtain information for
their ‘Spirit of Place’ statement. They had received useful feedback from visitors, and residents
living in both Little Gaddesden and Aldbury. The information was used to produce a final
statement which had been shared with the Councillors. It was not originally intended to be a
public document, its prime purpose being to enable staff and volunteers to perpetuate the special
nature of National Trust places. Reference should be made to it when producing management
plans. Susie Mercer confirmed that it could be published on the village notice boards.
Dumping of Garden Waste on NT land
Lawrence advised that the NT were commencing an initiative across the Estate asking neighbours
not to use NT land for dumping garden waste. They had discovered that non-native species had,
by this method, started to spread across the estate. This included, amongst others, the damaging
Japanese Knotweed, the Spanish Bluebell and the small balsam. Initially the NT team would be
clearing rubbish and then they will be informing neighbours of the problem and seeking their
support for the protection of the Estate.
9. P3 actions
The Clerk confirmed that for the 2015 funding round, the improvement of the lower section of FP5
which runs between Ringshall Drive and the Golf Course had been approved. The Council would
receive £980 from the P3 funding scheme and the work would be managed by Dacorum, (Clayton
Rae’s contractor) with LGPC being invoiced once the works had been completed, later in the year.
Signed by Chairman…………………Date……………………
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10. The Green
Cutting Regime
Cllr. Hyde explained the purpose of this year’s cutting regime and that there had been a lot of
volunteers willing to do the survey work to discover the extent and diversity of the flora. Wendy
Molloy advised that she was disappointed at the lack of consultation on the matter and that neither
she nor her neighbours were aware of the plans. In particular, she was concerned about sightlines
for vehicles exiting the accessway, especially noting the speed of traffic on that section of Nettleden
Road. She was also concerned that hayfever might be a problem for children on their way to and
from school and that longer grass might lead to more litter.
Responding on the issue of consultation, Cllr. Irving advised that there had been 3 mailings from
the Gaddesden Society and physical distribution of a consultation survey on the issue of how the
Green should be managed as part of the Village Survey and he felt that there had been a real
determination by the Council to consult on the issue.
Cllr. Adams confirmed that the PC would not allow any compromise to highway safety as a result
of the wild flower protection and that there would still be a wide strip cut along the length of the
Green next to the road to provide adequate sightlines.
Lawrence Trowbridge from the NT spoke in support of the protection of wild flowers and insects
and felt that the Parish Council were doing the right thing in introducing this trial.
Cllr. Hyde confirmed that she would review all issues with interested parties over the course of the
trial.
Status of the Green
At the last meeting, the Clerk had been asked to go back to HCC to understand what form of
maintenance could be available as part of the package and to ask for a longer lease. The Clerk
advised that the response from HCC rural team re the maintenance aspect was awaited. Jim
Townsend suggested that the Council should avoid legal fees from HCC in progressing the lease.
Use of the Green – Byelaws
No change to this statement, this item is on hold pending the outcome of discussions with HCC.
(Cllr. Archer had noted at the August meeting that, whilst permission is sought from the Parish
Council on some occasions for parking and skips etc., not everyone appeared to be aware of the
process. Furthermore, new people moving in to the village might not be aware of the Byelaws.
Since the current version of the Byelaws had been written in 1985, it had been agreed to update
the language and issues covered. Cllr. Archer and the Clerk had drafted and circulated new byelaws
for review at the January meeting. )
11. Church Road Car Park
The Clerk advised that a request for matched funding for the final phase of the car park had
received an encouraging response from Cllr. Lloyd. The overall cost is likely to be in the region of
£5,000 inc. vat and he was willing to commit an initial £1,000 towards the surfacing work and
depending on the level of requests from other Councils might be able to supplement this figure.
The Clerk was asked to make a formal application.
12. Willow screening of the storage containers on the Playing Fields.
Cllr. Adams will make a formal application to Affinity Water to seek grant monies for this work.
5. CORRESPONDENCE
The Clerk had received a letter and brochure from BT related to the adoption of redundant phone boxes.
The correspondence is to be circulated and discussed at the next meeting.
Signed by Chairman…………………Date……………………
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6. FINANCE
a. Cheques for approval
Clerk - salary for March and PAYE cheque
Village Hall Manager – salary for March
SRT Trading Ltd £220 + vat – for March
HAPTC End of year Finance Training Course x 1, Clerk £35 no vat payable
G. I. Rogers and Son £300 + vat for Christmas Tree and erection/removal.
GH Electrical £528 + vat Hand dryers for Village Hall
Petty Cash – £38.36
b. Cheques/payments received
LGVH Management Committee - Village Hall Manager’s salary
(All incoming Cheques confirmed as banked)
c. The Clerk confirmed that the Council Tax demand for Little Gaddesden residents sent out in the last
week confirmed that the Parish Council’s objective of seeking no increase in the precept for 2015/16
had been successful.
d. The Clerk presented spending and receipts summary up to the end of February and this was signed
off by Cllr. Adams.
7. PLANNING - CURRENT APPLICATIONS (as at March 16th)
VALLEY VIEW, PLANNING AND COMPULSORY PURCHASE ACT 2004, SECTION 55 AND SCHEDULE 2
Application by Jade Golby Webb. Site at Valley View, Hemel Hempstead Road, Dagnall,
BERKHAMSTED, HP4 1QR – LGPC objected, application called in, Decision awaited
**********************************************************************************
OTHER APPLICATIONS
PHEASANT FIELD, RINGSHALL DRIVE, ASHRIDGE PARK, HP4 1NP, DEMOLITION OF EXISTING HOUSE,
SWIMMING POOL AND GARAGES, CONSTRUCTION OF NEW SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING AND
GARAGE.
4/03292/14/FUL – No objection from LGPC to app or amendments, Granted 27th Feb by DBC.
CHURCHHOUSE STUDIO, HUDNALL LANE, LITTLE GADDESDEN, BERKHAMSTED, HP4 1QE
EXTENSION OF EXISTING APARTMENT BUILDING TO CREATE NEW DWELLING
4/03622/14/FUL – Objection from LGPC to access arrangements, withdrawn.
12-13, RINGSHALL ROAD, RINGSHALL, BERKHAMSTED, HP4 1ND. REPLACEMENT SINGLE STOREY
REAR EXTENSION. REAR DORMER AND INTERNAL ALTERATIONS. DETACHED GARAGE.
4/00070/15/FHA & 4/00071/15/LBC– No objection from LGPC, granted by DBC 13th March.
9 RINGSHALL ROAD, RINGSHALL, BERKHAMSTED, HP4 1ND
WORKS TO FIR TREE, SILVER BIRCH TREE AND APPLE TREE IN THE REAR GARDEN, AND WORKS TO
AN APPLE TREE IN THE FRONT GARDEN 4/00398/15/TCA – No objection from LGPC, DBC decision
Raise no objection
ASHRIDGE HOUSE, ASHRIDGE MANAGEMENT COLLEGE, ASHRIDGE PARK, LITTLE GADDESDEN,
BERKHAMSTED, HP4 1NS. WORK TO WINDOWS. 4/00784/15/LBC – Under review by LGPC
Signed by Chairman…………………Date……………………
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ST PETERS & ST PAULS CHURCH, CHURCH ROAD, LITTLE GADDESDEN, BERKHAMSTED, HP4
WORKS TO TREES, 4/00649/15/TCA - Under review by LGPC
1 THE RED HOUSE, NETTLEDEN ROAD NORTH, LITTLE GADDESDEN, BERKHAMSTED, HP4 1PL
INSTALLATION OF CONSERVATION ROOFLIGHT. 4/00752/15/LBC - Under review by LGPC
8. ELECTION TIMETABLE
The Clerk had circulated to the Councillors key dates for the election as follows:Notice of the Parish Council election will be put up on 30th March.
Nominations for Parish Councillors need to be delivered by candidates by hand by 4pm on 9th
April to Dacorum Borough Council.
The list of candidates will be published on 10th April
Voting will take place on May 7th
New Councillors will take office May 11th
Annual Meeting of the Parish Council and Parish Meeting all on same evening, May 18th.
Cllr. Archer who attended the HAPTC Election course with the Clerk confirmed that best practice
for the process included creation of an induction pack for Councillors and setting aside an evening
to give the new Councillors an opportunity to meet with any re-elected Councillors.
9. GADDSOC Website
Parish content and improvements links to/from other web sites. The Clerk to arrange a meeting
between LGPC and the Rural Heritage Society.
10. BUS CONSULTATION
Cllr Hyde confirmed that she was supporting local residents who were concerned about further
erosion of the bus services by arranging a public meeting to which Guy Brigden Herts CC and
others would be invited. Cllr. Hyde had already received many signatures on a petition although
not all were regular bus users. Cllr. Douris Herts CC, Executive Member for Transport and Waste
advised that petitions were not as valuable as individual submissions or a response by the Parish
Council.
11. UTILITY COMPANIES
This agenda item was rolled over until next the meeting
12. AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Cllr. Adams confirmed that as a result of the discussions with Hastoe and DBC at a meeting on 23rd
February, his conclusion was that the village’s best opportunity of meeting its wishes (for small
houses for existing elderly downsizers and first time buyers with a village connection) was via the
Community Right to Build process. He explained that affordable housing under a rural exception
scheme envisaged most of the development (70+%) falling into the more traditional definitions.
Jim Townsend asked whether or not specific plots had been identified, to which Cllr Adams replied
that as far as the Council were concerned at this stage, he had held no direct discussions with
landowners and that only the principles of the process were under consideration rather than
identification of any specific locations.
Signed by Chairman…………………Date……………………
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13. BROADBAND UPDATE
It is anticipated that the earliest possible date for superfast broadband to be available through BT
Cabinet 5 (at the Hudnall crossroads) is June 2015.
14. VILLAGE HALL
Cllr. Hyde advised that there was a new Treasurer appointed and that users had been advised of the
small increase in hiring costs.
AOB
Cllr Hyde raised several AOB items.
Church Road play area: the surface under the roundabout had been a cause for concern for a couple of
years. The safety surface was breaking up and causing a trip hazard and the area was particularly muddy
after rain. Parents had requested some of the ‘spongy tarmac’ seen in other playgrounds. It was agreed
costings should be sought.
Verges: due to the heavier lorries coming through the village for building projects in the park, the verges
were being eroded. Worst cases noted – the edge of the green near the War Memorial (implications for
Remembrance Sunday step); at the Manor House a large pot hole had developed at the side of the road,
and Cllr. Hyde said the surface will break up in time and we will have an even bigger hole; at the Old
Rectory their bank was much trespassed upon when the path works were going on and now the flint wall
to No.26 appears to stick out into the road. Cllr. Terry Douris had recommended kerbstones.
Denison House driveway – getting ever wider and the Green is being encroached upon, now cars are often
parked there overnight – against the byelaws – when one person does it, others follow.
The hedge between the Bridgewater Arms (BWA) and No.20 is encroaching onto the pavement. It is no
longer possible to walk side by side comfortably. The Clerk is to write to Sue Chapman and request that
she cuts it in August. If she doesn’t, it was agreed to cut it before the winter and send her the bill.
Dog Fouling: Jim Townsend has been clearing up after dogs and dropped litter from the pavement
mentioned above, and the paths from BWA to Bede Court and opposite the BWA to Ringshall Drive, some
of it is bagged and has to be taken home, the rest is a case of ‘stick & flick’ as recommended by the NT.
Thanks were passed again by the PC.
Cllr. Kutluoglu passed on a request from Mrs Marshall that attention be given to the muddy footpath cut
through adjacent to her house at Meadow Farm, this had deteriorated and the roots here were creating
trip hazards.
Virginia Westmacott asked if she could erect temporary signposts on the Green for a period of a week to
advertise the WI Tea Party, consent was duly given.
The meeting closed at 10.30pm.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING – April 20th 2015
Signed by Chairman…………………Date……………………