Minutes of the

THIRTY FIRST ANNUAL ASSEMBLY

of the

BERKHAMSTED TOWN MEETING

Held in the Main Hall, Civic Centre, Berkhamsted, on

 PRESENT: 

            MEMBERS: 

            Councillors    

                                    P.G. Gibbs - Town Mayor

                                    Geraldine Corry - Deputy Mayor

L. Briand

J.B. Critcher

Mrs. Freda Earl

Victor Earl

Mrs. Lesley Featherstone                                       

                                    R.A. Horton

                                    G. Lanchin

                                    J.D. Lythgoe

                                    Mrs. Helena McCloskey

                                    Mrs. Betty Patterson

                                    G. Stevens

                                    C. Talbot-Ponsonby

            OFFICERS: 

                                    Mr. C.R. Westwood              -           Clerk of the Council

1/04    APOLOGIES 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs. C. Green.

2/04    MINUTES  

The minutes of the Annual Town Meeting held on 26^th March 2003 were agreed and signed by the Chairman. 

3/04    INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME FROM THE TOWN MAYOR, COUNCILLOR PHILIP GIBBS 

The Town Mayor, Councillor Phil Gibbs, welcomed everyone to the meeting and outlined the programme for the evening. 

4/04    THE RIVER BULBOURNE – GUEST SPEAKER – SARAH SCOTT, ENVIRONMENT AGENCY           

Sarah Scott said that she was working with Town Councillors on the Chiltern Chalk Streams Project and made particular reference to the River Bulbourne between Lower Kings Road and Park Street.   She stressed the importance of chalk rivers and streams and listed a number of species to be found in them.  She outlined how damage could be caused by human activity and particularly mentioned the invasive and aggressive Japanese Knotweed.  Reference was made to the alleviation of low-flow scheme and the need to deal with fallen trees and to keep riverside trees under control.  The less shade provided by trees the more wildlife would be encouraged.  Sarah said that the project aimed to energise that stretch of the Bulbourne and consideration was being given to installing interpretation boards and more chalk stream species. 

            Sarah then answered a number of questions raised by the audience. 

5/04    CRIME AND DISORDER IN BERKHAMSTED – SERGEANT MICHAEL RAYMENT, BERKHAMSTED POLICE COMMUNITY TEAM 

Sergeant Rayment demonstrated the low crime figures for Berkhamsted in comparison with other parts of Dacorum.   He then defined anti-social behaviour, identified where it was a problem and how it was being dealt with.  He stressed that Berkhamsted was policed on a 24-hour basis and also received support from specialist units based elsewhere.  He identified the Berkhamsted team constables and some of their current activities. 

Sergeant Rayment then answered a number of questions raised by the audience.

6/04    BERKHAMSTED YOUTH TOWN COUNCIL – REPORT ON RECENT ACTIVITIES 

Two members of the Youth Town Council then gave a presentation, which covered how the Youth Town Council had been formed and was managed.  Their intentions, both short and medium term, were identified which included providing a voice for young people in the Town.  There were 16 members of the Youth Town Council, all elected by local schools and the Council meets monthly and is hoping to introduce monthly discos at Gatecrashers.  The need for youth facilities in the Town was stressed including more use of the Lagley Meadow Youth Club in respect of which funding would be needed from the County Council.

7/04    REPORTS FROM CHAIRS OF COMMITTEES: 

Town Planning                                    Cllr. Christopher Talbot-Ponsonby  

Councillor Talbot-Ponsonby referred to his report which had been circulated with the agenda, following which a local resident asked if Dacorum Borough Council Planning Department ever changed their minds when the Town Council recommendation differed from their own.  Councillor Talbot-Ponsonby explained the process. 

Another local resident thanked Councillor Talbot-Ponsonby for his efforts concerning planning applications submitted to the Town Council.

Environment                                                                Cllr. Betty Patterson  

Councillor Betty Patterson referred to her report on environment matters, which had been circulated with the agenda.  She made specific reference to completed objectives such as footpaths and the Canal Fields playground.  The Committee was now looking at the poor bus service.  She referred to the River Bulbourne Project and said that future initiatives included the planting of flowerbeds, re-cycling and litter and the Sunnyside Wildspace Project. 

A local resident said that they hoped that the hanging baskets throughout the High Street would be retained and looked after.  Another resident said that a plastics re-cycling point was needed in Water Lane car park. 

A letter had been received requesting the Town Council to ensure that the Chesham Road roundabout was properly maintained.

          Transport and Highways                                              Cllr. Gerry Lanchin 

Councillor Lanchin referred to his report, which had been circulated with the agenda and made specific reference to the High Street traffic lights, the need for improvements to the roundabout at Cross Oak Road junction with Shootersway and safety on Gravel Path.           He also said that the Committee had been concerned with the recent road lining and parking initiatives. 

Local residents made the following observations: 

a.                  The traffic lights in the Town were dangerous when turning right into Kings Road. 

b.                  The signs in the parking bays were confusing and were contrary to the parking restrictions. 

c.                  The traffic lights at the cross roads were difficult for blind people to negotiate.  The buzzer noise stopped when pedestrians were halfway across and needed to sound for a longer period.

d.                  Evening enforcement was needed outside of Fitness First where parking on the pavement was a nuisance.

e.                  Gravel Path was dangerous and there were four unlit signs on the approach to Chapel Street.

f.                    Disabled parking spaces were regularly abused.

g.                  Money gained from parking enforcement should be for the benefit of the Town.

h.                  Mr. Waller of Cobb Road thanked the Town Council for their assistance in resolving the flooding problem.

Finance and Policy                                                 Cllr. Garrick Stevens 

Councillor Garrick Stevens referred to his report circulated with the agenda.  He made specific reference to the amount that had been given to grants to local organisations, the success of the Town & Council Help Point and the setting up of the new Youth Town Council.  He said future initiatives would involve achieving Quality Status and searching for more amenity space in the Town.  

A local resident said that if the Town Council took on more responsibility the residents would have to pay more on their precept.  A question was also asked concerning the future of the Help Point when the Dacorum Borough Council One Stop Shop was opened in Berkhamsted.  Councillor Stevens then spent some time explaining how the Help Point worked and what matters it dealt with, not all of which would be duplicated by the One Stop Shop.

8/04    QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS – OPEN FORUM 

During the short time left for questions the following matters were raised and answered: 

a.                  What had happened to the Canal & Riverside Partnership?

b.                  £1,000 from fair ground rent was insufficient and should be raised.

c.                  Vehicles were parking outside Berkhamsted Cemetery and using it as a long-term car park.

d.                  Would the sports facilities at Berkhamsted Collegiate School be available for public use?

9/04    CLOSE OF MEETING 

            The meeting closed at 10.10 p.m. 

            There were 47 members of the public present.