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| TOWN COUNCIL |
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2004–2005 Archives of Environment Minutes
Reports and Minutes of a Meeting of the Held in the Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Berkhamsted On Monday 9th May 2005 at 6.00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Councillors Betty Patterson – Chairman L. Briand Mrs. Freda. Earl Mrs. C. Green
Co-opted P. Stileman
OFFICER:
Mr. C.R. Westwood - Town Clerk
20/05 APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Critcher, Featherstone and Horton.
21/05 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST REGARDING ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
There were no declarations of interest regarding items on the agenda.
22/05 MINUTES
The minutes of the previous meeting held on 14th March 2005 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.
23/05 MATTERS ARISING Vide 12/05 Lower Kings Road Railings The Town Clerk reported that a mobile welder had inspected the damage and a quote was awaited. Action Town Clerk
Vide 12/05 New & Replacement Trees in the High Street Patrick Stileman said that a detailed plan was needed from Mark Tinning of Dacorum Borough Council and he would hopefully report to the next meeting. Action Patrick Stileman
It was agreed to contact Angela Morris to establish which trees in the High Street she had made a donation towards.
Vide 12/05 Screening of the re-cycling area in St. Johns Well Lane car park. The Town Clerk reported that the Borough Council were awaiting quotes for the work to be completed.
Vide 15/05 Notice Board adjacent to Lower Kings Road Wetland Area The correspondence circulated with the agenda was noted. Councillor Patterson was awaiting further information from British Waterways.
24/05 CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATIONS
The following publications were available: A complimentary copy of the first edition of ‘Current Issues in Waste & Minerals Planning’ had been received. Six copies a year were to be published at a cost of £24.
A copy of ‘Wild Times’ for May to August 2005.
A Site management plan for Canal fields – 2004 – 2009.
The Community Development Agency Newsletter for March 2005.
A plan and list of the Parish Areas in Dacorum showing which organisation was responsible for grass cutting.
Councillor Patterson said that she had recently attended Sunnyside Rural Trust Activity Centre as the Trust had been granted an Investors in People Award and three managers had been presented with NVQ certificates.
25/05 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Angela Wheeldon said that she thought that the Street Sweeper was now collecting loose plastic bags from the bottle bank in Water Lane car park. She also asked if a tree protection grating, now redundant, outside Tesco could be removed and re-used. Lastly, Ms. Wheeldon said that the pollarded Willows outside Castle Mill were very untidy and needed attention.
26/05 ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS
a. Pedestrian Paths, retention wall to Butts Meadow footpath The Town Clerk said that the area had been inspected by both Hertfordshire Highways and Dacorum Borough Council. Neither Paul Trustram or Nick Graham thought that there was any need for a retaining wall as the path was clear. Councillor Lanchin, however, was concerned about the winter months when debris was washed from the bank. Councillor Patterson said that she would obtain a quote for remedial work to be carried out and would forward it to the office. The Town Clerk pointed out that consent would be required from Dacorum Borough Council or Hertfordshire Highways before any work could be completed. Action Councillor Pattersonb. Surface Repair of Canal Fields footpathThe Town Clerk said that he had contacted Tom Clubb and asked for a date when the work would be completed. A date was awaited. c. River Bulbourne Restoration ProjectThe report circulated with the agenda was noted.
d. Town Garden Projects i. Gateway Garden Councillor Patterson said that work was proceeding. ii. Millennium Garden Councillor Patterson said that a Pineapple Tree had been snapped off at the base and a Golden Privet had been pulled up during a recent spate of damage.
27/05 MATTERS FOR CONSULTATION / INFORMATION
a. Birtchnells Copse Patrick Stileman said that he had recently strimmed around trees in the Copse and noted that the new trees were doing well. A discussion took place regarding shooting which was occurring on land next to the Copse towards Hemel Hempstead on Sunday mornings and a hide which had been constructed in the Copse from corrugated sheeting.
b. Donation – Young Enterprise Company, Berkhamsted Collegiate School The Chairman adjourned the meeting to allow James Boulter of Berkhamsted Collegiate School, Young Enterprise Company, to speak to the Committee about a scheme that his group had completed and as a result of which the members wanted to put something back into the community. His group had won a school competition by developing a wall planner which had been distributed to parents and within the school and had made some money from advertising. The group had offered to make a donation of £200-£300 to the Town Council to provide a physical facility in the Town.
The meeting was reconvened and Councillors discussed with James the possibility of the provision of a tree, a bench or interpretation boards for the River Project. Whichever one was decided it would be accompanied by a plaque to mark the donation from the Young Enterprise Company. The Moor was suggested as a possible location. Councillor Patterson said that she would consider the options along with her fellow Committee members and would respond to James Boulter as soon as possible. Members of the Committee thanked James for his attendance and generous offer. Action Councillor Patterson and members of the Committee
28/05 CLOSE OF MEETING
The meeting closed at 7.07 p.m.
Reports and Minutes of a Meeting of the Held in the Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Berkhamsted On Monday 10th January 2005 at 7.30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Councillors Betty Patterson - Chairman J. Critcher - Vice Chairman L. Briand (arrived at 7.40 p.m.) Mrs. Freda. Earl R. Horton (left at 8.45 p.m.) Mrs. Lesley. Featherstone
Co-opted P. Stileman
OFFICER: Mr. G. Barnes – Information Officer
01/05 APOLOGIES Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Green.
02/05 MINUTES The minutes of the previous meeting held on 18th October 2004 were approved and signed by the Chairman.
03/05 MATTERS ARISINGVide 39/04 Lower Kings Road Railings No information had yet been received from Hertfordshire Highways on possible ownership on these railings. Action Town Clerk
04/05 CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATIONSThe following Communications had been received: Wild Times - & Environmental Activities Diary January – April 2005 News of the Woods Autumn 2004 Chalk & Trees - Autumn/Winter 2004 Open Space - Autumn 2004 Chiltern News - December 2004 Community Development Agency for Herts. Magazine & Annual Review 2003/2004. A Legal Update had been received from the National Association of Local Councils Entitled ‘Environmental Information Regulations’ which establish an access regime which allows people to request environmental information from public authorities and those bodies carrying out a public function. This includes Town and Parish Councils. The paper is available for reference.
05/05 PUBLIC PARTICIPATIONThere were two members of the public present. Ms. Angela Wheeldon made reference to item 41/04 from the previous meeting, which implied that she was referring to tenanted allotments. She requested the minutes be altered to show that she was referring to un-tenanted allotments next to the Sunnyside lease. Action Town ClerkShe also referred to the build up of litter in the Lower Kings Road area known as the ‘Wetlands’.
Members of the Committee agreed with her third point, for attention to some trees in the High Street. Mr. Stileman agreed to produce a plan on new and replacement trees in the High Street, for the next Environment Committee meeting. Action Mr. Stileman
06/05 ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTSa. Sunnyside New Wildspace Projecti. It was noted that Sunnyside Rural Trust had now covered plot 26 at Sunnyside New with Mypex and members agreed that by way of compensation the Town Council would make a contribution to the cost of securing wooden pegs. ii. Members approved the Chairman’s report and were especially concerned about the scrub invasion at the lower south end. Mr. Stileman asked if there were any plans for managing the invading scrub to which the Chairman replied that the area referred to was part of leased land, which would need Sunnyside Rural Trust’s approval or participation for any clearance. It was noted that lizards were all over the allotments and not just confined to this one area. b. Local Agenda 21: Green Issuesi. Post Office accessibilityThe Chairman’s draft poster was approved. It was agreed this should now be issued on Council paper and in addition to the Citizens Advice Bureau, Age Concern and doctor’s surgeries, members agreed that it should also go to the Library, the Gazette, BTC Market Stall and Victim Support. Action Town ClerkThe Help Point should register any requests for inclusion noting name, telephone number and address. It was also agreed that this project should be renamed “Post Office Accessibility and Social Isolation”. c. Litter Working PartyMr. Barnes reported that Dacorum Borough Council had agreed to move, this week, the recycling bins in St. Johns Well Lane car park so that the Conservation-style litter bin, designed for people to dispose of their carrier bags, could be seen from within the recycling area. Dacorum Borough Council is hoping to provide a large, lidded cage for cardboard boxes. It was also reported that when Dacorum Borough Council agreed to regular sweeping of the underpass from South Park Gardens under the West Coast Mainline, this would include the wooden footbridge over the Canal. However, details of the frequency of such sweeping were not immediately available but Dacorum had promised to advise us later. The Waitrose footbridge, unlike the Park Street footbridge, is not ‘highway’ so comes under the control of Claire Covington, Dacorum Borough Council. News on the maintenance regime is awaited. It was noted that the excess rubbish in the private car park off Prince Edward Street was mostly due to lack of capacity for The Regal restaurant, The Town Clerk would be writing to Dacorum Borough Council requesting that it asks the restaurant to increase the number of waste bins that it hires and/or increase the frequency of collection. Action Town Clerk It was agreed that the DTTS regular service be cancelled and replaced with an hourly rate call-out as deemed necessary after inspections by the Town Warden. Action Town Clerk Councillor Freda Earl agreed with Ms. Wheeldon’s earlier comments that the Lower Kings Road Wetlands litter problem was a disgrace and that the DTTS service should also include this area. The Chairman said this would be the case. The meeting was adjourned to allow a member of the public to speak. Ms. Wheeldon said that the Lower Kings Road area adjacent to the lock (the so called ‘Wetlands’) was in bad need of attention, so she was pleased to hear of the proposed work. Ms. Wheeldon enquired about the Japanese Knotweed problem at this site, and was told by the Chairman that following two sprayings by British Waterways, this problem was being brought under control. Members were supportive of a proposal by Ms. Wheeldon that as efforts were being made to improve the River Bulbourne environment, screening be placed around the re-cycling area in St. Johns Well Lane car park, in order to protect the River bank view. Action Town Clerk
The meeting then reconvened. d. River Bulbourne Restoration Projecti. Meeting (3) with residents It was noted that St. Johns Well Court residents were satisfied with the scheme. ii. Permission to proceed It was noted that parties had agreed to proceed. With regard to the Wetland area below Lower Kings Road bridge, the Chairman reported that Mr. Rod Wilson would be felling damaged trees and clearing up fallen trees on 7th February 2005. It was agreed that Councillor Patterson and Mr. Stileman would aid in the identification of the trees to be included in this work. Action Councillor Patterson & Mr. Stileman A clearance party consisting of members of the Committee and the Allotment Society was called for Sunday 13th February 2005. As it would be difficult to access this site, members thought it would be quite reasonable to stack felled timber, as there was plenty of room because the proposed path would only cover part of the area and that stacked timber would provide a habitat for some creatures. Action Environment Committee members & Allotment Society e. Town Garden Projects i. Berkhamsted Townscape Members noted the details of the site meeting and were in general agreement with the points. It was decided that Councillors Patterson and Freda Earl would produce a plan for the next meeting, requesting shops’ collaboration with hanging baskets placed on premises walls’. Any suggestions of likely candidates would be welcomed. Action Councillors Patterson & Freda Earl ii. Millennium Garden It was agreed, in principle, that a notice should be put on the Gardens, firstly, describing it as a Town Council initiative and secondly, adding a disclaimer about allergen properties and toxicities of some of the plants. The exact wording to be agreed by a small working group. Action Councillors Patterson, Critcher & Freda Earl iii. Proposed Gateway Garden Licence to Cultivate Design details It was noted that Hertfordshire Highways had now given the Town Council a licence to plant. Councillor Critcher gave a short presentation on his suggested plans for developing the area opposite the Esso Garage in London Road. It was agreed to adopt his design suggestions of five scallop beds surrounded by low brick walls. This design picked up the design of the Birch trees area at one end of this site. The work would be done by volunteers; the Chairman said that most of the maintenance budget for the Millennium Garden was unspent so could be diverted to help funding of this project. It was agreed that the beds design would be strictly planned and therefore no private contributions of plants would be accepted. It was further agreed that to keep maintenance down, only perennial planting would be used. It was decided that the project would be taken forward by regular two-hourly sessions, one Sunday per month; the first working party would take place on 27th February 2005 at 10.00 a.m. Whilst this work would be a matter only for Councillor-volunteers it was agreed that Mr. Ray Phipps, a resident, who had offered his services, would also be invited to take part. Action Environment Committee Councillors f. Environment Fair Members agreed that instead of a Litter Semina, the Town Council should organise another Environmental Fair on Saturday 12th March 2005 from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. in Berkhamsted Town Hall. The Town Clerk was asked to confirm the booking. It was agreed that invitees should include, for example, providers of solar power. Suggestions for invitees should be given as soon as possible to Councillor Patterson. Action Town Clerk g. Canal Fields Path Repair Whilst members thought that a tarmac path would be incongruous with the setting and that there should be no coloured chippings (to keep the path natural looking), for the time being they would keep all their options open. Members also agreed that the contractor should be asked to quote for work using the current materials of crushed Cotswold stone. It was further agreed that before making a recommendation to Finance & Policy a second contractor should be asked to quote on all four options. Action Town Clerk
07/05 MATTERS FOR CONSULTATOIN/INFORMATON a. Dacorum Environmental Forum: Agenda for next meeting Members noted the agenda. b. Birtchnells Copse Mr. Stileman said that a Working Party of Allotment Society volunteers had been organised for the 5th February 2005, assembling at the Copse top gate at 10.00 a.m., in order to clear bramble scrub and plant young, native Oak trees. Any Committee member wishing to participate should contact Mr. Stileman; any donations of suitable trees to be transplanted would be most welcome. 08/05 CLOSE OF MEETING
The meeting closed at 9.10 p.m.
Reports and Minutes of a Meeting of the Held in the Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Berkhamsted On Tuesday, 6th July 2004 at 7.30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Councillors Betty Patterson J. Critcher (arrived 7.43 p.m.) Mrs. F. Earl Mrs. L. Featherstone R. Horton OFFICER: Mr. C.R. Westwood - Town Clerk
27/04 ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN FOR THE FORTHCOMING YEARCouncillor Betty Patterson was elected as Chairman of the Committee until the Annual Meeting in 2005 and Councillor Julian Critcher was elected as Vice-Chairman.
28/04 APOLOGIES Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs. C. Green.
29/04 MINUTES The minutes of the previous meeting held on 27th April 2004 had been agreed at Full Council and were signed by the Chairman.
30/04 MATTERS ARISINGVide 24/04 Quote for Lower Kings Road Railings repair It was agreed not to accept the quote from T.P. Roche & Son Ltd. It was noted that Hertfordshire Highways were trying to establish if they owned the railings before they effected a repair. If it transpired that they were not the owners the Town Clerk would arrange for repairs by a local contractor subject to a suitable quote being accepted by the Council. Action Town Clerk
Vide 24/04 Kingshill Way roundabout Following discussion it was agreed that the Committee would not proceed with this suggested initiative.
31/04 CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATIONSThe following publications had been received: The Wildtimes May – August 2004 The Water Magazine – April 2004 Open Space Magazine for Spring 2004 The Boxmoor Trust Newsletter – Spring 2004 Chiltern News – June 2004
32/04 PUBLIC PARTICIPATIONMr. E. Dyer gave details of a potential contractor for the repair of the railings in Kings Road. Angela Wheeldon said that a lot of litter was left lying around the re-cycling bins in Lower Kings Road car park, particularly plastic bags. The area needed more attention. Action Mr. G. Barnes
33/04 TO CONFIRM MEMBERSHIP OF THE FOLLOWING WORKING PARTIES: a. Litter Working Party Councillors Briand Featherstone Lanchin Patterson
b. Sunnyside Wildspace Project Working Party Councillors Freda Earl Patterson
c. River Bulbourne Working Party Councillors Freda Earl Patterson
d. Town Garden Projects Councillors Critcher Freda Earl Patterson
It was agreed that the Town Clerk would write to Mr. Ray Phipps to invite him to be a member of the Working Party. Action Town Clerk
34/04 ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTSa. Sunnyside New Wildspace ProjectThe Chairman referred to the report circulated with the agenda which was noted. b. Local Agenda 21: Green Issuesi. Apsley Paper TrailThe Chairman referred to the minutes of the last Dacorum Environmental Forum, paragraph 4, which detailed the facilities offered for waste reduction and re-cycling. A reply had been received with paper samples but had not addressed the Council Paper Point Scheme. It was agreed to write again.Action Town Clerk
ii. Post Office accessibility A reply had not been received from the DCVS in response to the Town Council’s letter. It was agreed to pursue a reply for the next meeting. Action Town Clerk
iii. Bus Services – proposed consultation The Chairman referred to a copy of a questionnaire which had been provided to each member and following discussion it was agreed to refer the questionnaire to the Communications Working Party for consideration. The Chairman also requested the Communications Group to consider placing details of the bus services serving Berkhamsted on the Town Council website. Action Communications Working Party
iv. New Recycling operation – feedback The Town Clerk confirmed that little feedback had been received in the office as a result of the re-cycling roadshows. The Chairman said that the roadshows had been well attended and successful. c. Litter Working PartyThe Chairman referred to her report circulated with the agenda, which was noted.The Chairman said that problem areas needed to be identified which could be referred to the new litter squad set up by the Borough Council. At this point she adjourned the meeting to allow Mr. Dyer to identify the following areas: Curtis Way Top of Woodlands Avenue Alleyways between Woodlands Avenue and Hill Top Road Beech Drive and Holly Drive It was noted that the next meeting of the Litter Working Party was 28th July 2004 at 7.00 p.m.
d. River BulbourneThe reports circulated with the agenda was noted.
e. Town Garden Projects i. Berkhamsted Townscape Deferred to the next meeting of the Committee. It was agreed that a letter should be drafted to the Chamber of Commerce to ask if their members would be in favour of attaching flower baskets to their buildings which they would be expected to plant and maintain. Action Councillor Patterson & Town Clerk
ii. Millennium Garden The report circulated with the agenda was noted.
Iii Proposed Gateway Garden The letters to and from Hertfordshire Highways circulated with the agenda were noted. The Chairman said that progress was slow.
35/04 MATTERS FOR CONSULTATION/INFORMATION a. Draft Trees and Woodlands Strategy The Chairman referred to the document which was retained in the office. During discussion it was agreed to respond to Ruth Chapman in the following terms. Page 7 The Committee welcomed the policy concerning Community Consultation. Page 17 The Committee hoped that the recent letter sent by Councillor Corry would be taken into account. Page 27 Under the heading of Parks & Amenity Areas for Berkhamsted and Northchurch it appeared that Canal Fields had been omitted. Action Town Clerk
b. Consultation on the Proposed Pre-Enquiry Changes to the Minerals Local Plan Review 2002 – 2016 Second Deposit Draft The letter circulated with the agenda was noted.
c. The Rising Sun Lock and Bulbourne Brook It was agreed that a reply should be sent to Mr. Buckle acknowledging receipt of his letters and asking to be kept informed but noting that the Town Council had no powers to intervene. Action Town Clerke. Dacorum Environmental Forum: Minutes of last meeting attached. Next meeting to be held on the 29th July 2004The minutes circulated with the agenda were noted.
36/04 CLOSE OF MEETING
The meeting closed at 8.44 p.m.
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