Attendees
Committee Members: Stephen Burke (Chairman), Keith Glasspoole, Roy North, Andrew Cordiner, George Thackray, Chas Manson, Eric Clark, Steve Bates, Keith Jones (Andrew Creighton absent).
Members (as recorded on attendance sheet): Mary Collins, Linda Drummond, Anna Horan, Sue Rayne, Tony Rayne, Archie McNair, Jill Bowman, Sue Flint, Ron Flint
Walid Marzouk was also present
Keith Hoffmeister from the Chilterns Society was welcomed as a visiting guest.
Stephen indicated that local district and county councillors, Diana Varley and Patricia Birchley, were not present – and that he would pass on questions on CDC to Diana, (in his role as Parish Councillor).
Stephen noted the repairs on Keepers Lane and Brays Green Lane, (18 months after they were first reported), complaints about potholes/roads should be addressed to Bucks CC.
1. Minutes of previous meeting
Minutes of previous AGM, held 24/1/17, were approved
2. Matters Arising
No matters arising
3. Ratification of co-opted members of the Committee
Keith Jones was ratified as a co-opted member of the HHVS Committee, in his role as vice-Chairman and now Chairman of the Village Hall.
The idea being to bring together groups with shared interest in village life.
Stephen expressed thanks to Walid Marzouk
4. Retirement of members of the Committee
George Thackray, Steve Bates and Andrew Cordiner resigned and were re-elected according to the constitution.
Stephen encouraged others to join the committee, (particularly women since there are none on the committee at present). There were no further volunteers but all are welcome to future committee meetings, (dates for which will be communicated in due course).
George Thackray has retired as treasurer, Stephen thanked him for his work.
In accordance with the constitution, the committee has appointed a treasurer from amongst their number, Roy North.
5. Finance
An end of year balance for 2016 of £576.74 was recorded with little change year on year. These were approved.
It was reported that sufficient cash had since been raised to meet current commitments relating to road safety, etc, but that all donations were gratefully received.
6. Ray Challinor memorial bench
It had been agreed earlier in the year to install a bench in the memory of the former HHVS chairman, in recognition of his tireless work for the village, to which Stephen paid tribute. Funds had been raised within the Committee.
Wording agreed was:
Raymond E Challinor (born 26th April 1936, died 7th February 2017). Indefatigable initiator and motivator for the welfare of Hyde Heath village.
Placement on Common Land means that it requires agreement from David Stowe at CDC – who is hard to reach – but finally gave agreement to proceed in October. Quotes for installation are being sourced from Amersham and Chesham town councils, so installation should proceed shortly.
7. Road safety measures
- Flashing signs
Flashing 20MPH signs have been arranged via Little Missenden Parish Council, with involvement from the School governors. It falls under the Local Area Forum – (no longer fully funded by Transport for Bucks). Local area has to raise 50% of the funds, (c. £5000) – this has been raised, and was submitted to Transport for Bucks in July. TfB subsequently delayed the project three times, (other locations are experiencing similar delays on equivalent projects), but it is now confirmed in writing by them that the project will start in December and finish in January.
The lights will flash at key times. Stephen thanked all contributors, in particular the Village Shop and Rayners.
Sue Rayne thanked Stephen for his efforts, on behalf of the School governing body.
- White lines
So-called “H” lines to discourage parking in front of homes near the Common and School, to create better visibility for crossing the road, and allow access to houses and to Rayners, (which now has more residents who drive).
Stephen submitted request to TfB in late August, no response despite repeated chasing. Patricia Birchley has been asked to intervene, and she has promised to escalate with the relevant councillor.
- Green walkway (near school)
The path from the bus stop to the school was installed under the Local Area Forum a few years ago, at a fee of £4500. It was not levelled on installation, and quickly becomes muddy, so is rarely used. Requests have been made to make improvements, being progressed via Diana Varley.
- New green walkway (Keepers Lane / Weedon Hill junction)
This relates to the location where children congregate to catch school buses, where there is no hard standing or path. Discussed within HHVS Committee as an appropriate project for this year’s Local Area Forum funding, with the idea of making the area safer.
A proposal was submitted to the Local Area Forum, they have suggested an alternative proposal, moving the bus to within the white gates, and creating a bus stop with clearer sight lines.
It was the only project put forward for LMPC area, so was “adopted” – may not happen as there will be other projects in Bucks CC area, but since it relates to safeguarding children it will be seen as having a high relative importance and a reasonable chance of success. Joint funding by the village may again be necessary.
- Permanent Vehicle Activated Sign
Donations have been secured to fund an additional sign at the Amersham end of the village – a request has been submitted with an answer promised by TfB (shortly).
A question was raised about the existing sign on the common and the fact that it doesn’t indicate speed in the way that the mobile signs which circulate around the borough do. Discussion around the fact that mobile signs have batteries which need to be replaced incurring cost. The only design available for a permanent sign was that stipulated by TfB.
7. Dog waste bins
The Litter Pick in Spring highlighted that where the path into the woods runs off Chalk Lane, people are leaving waste bags in trees or throwing them on to hedges.
LMPC agreed to install dog bins at each end of the wood, they are being well used. Initially CDC refused to empty them as they had not been bought from them, Diana Varley has successfully challenged this.
8. Playground equipment
The Cantilever Swing had been taken out of commission because of a split in the wooden pole. A new pole has been installed with agreement of LMPC.
Stephen B reported that as Chair of Open Spaces on LMPC, the plan was to install new play surface, (rubber tarmac), and a new piece of play equipment, in the course of next year, as well as cutting back nearby trees.
9. Fly tipping
Eric Clark is responsible for reporting fly tipping – if you see anything, report to flytipping@hhvs.org.uk.
Incident involving restaurant waste dumped from a stolen van highlighted area of confusion regarding responsibility of different councils – at the side of the road it is CDC, on the road it is TfB.
10. Litter
Chas indicated that the Litter Pick, held after Easter, had been very successful – another will be planned for the same time next year, with notices put out a month before asking for volunteers.
Stephen reported that LMPC are carrying out a litter bin survey, with the aim of moving existing bins to more useful locations if necessary. Good locations to be reported to Stephen.
11. HS2
Andrew C will place his detailed notes on the HHVS website, but in brief:
- There is an independent construction commissioner – go to him if they can’t help you on helpline
- Enabling works contract – taking individual sites e.g. Annie Baileys vent shaft – to clear site, prepare for main works. Likely to start March or June next year. This will be basic work, relatively unobtrusive, with an obligation to keep mud off roads.
- Main track work – tranches C1 (Colne Valley to South Heath) and C2 (South Heath to
Brackley). C1 is closest to Hyde Heath. Main contractor is “Align”, with engineer called David Eades, who has been very frank on the challenges faced, following ground investigation works. These highlighted that the issues that they’d been warned about do indeed exist –
e.g. fractured chalk – with danger of draining Shardeloes Lake, Misbourne chalk stream etc. Environment Agency have indicated they will only give go ahead if no risk to the aquifer, so earliest works can start is April 2019, (later in 2019 more likely).
- “Limit of deviation” in the act of parliament means they can only move 3m left or right – they can go further down, but cannot go upwards, (i.e decide not to tunnel). It may be they decide to tunnel deeper/further.
- Ground works will move from site to site, so there will be 3 month periods with lots of activity, then relative inactivity, through to 2025.
- Significant transport disruption is expected, with BCC having identified 73 high risk junctions including Little Missenden vent shaft, (bottom of Pipers Wood “unnamed road”).
- HS2 not willing to admit risks on junctions, or other issues such as ratrunning or displacement of traffic – since if they do they will have to deal with it.
- Petition to Parliament can be signed here – to raise parliamentary debate.
http://www.hs2amersham.org.uk/
Petition: Cancel HS2 immediately and repeal the 2013 and 2017 High Speed Rail Acts.
HS2 is a vanity project, lobbied for by the firms who will make billions out of building it, at a time of continued austerity and cuts to essential services. Independent economists, rail experts and environmentalists have all heavily criticised the project, but Governments have refused to listen. Petition to Parliament - please sign here
Our guest speaker from the Chilterns Society gave a talk on the impact of HS2 in the Chilterns, highlighting where viaducts, construction compounds and access roads will be built.
Key points locally
- Tunnel at Amersham vent shaft, (Whielden Street) – will be 46m deep.
- Engineering works for 2 years and 9 months from 2018, then railway construction works for 2 years starting 2023.
- Difficult challenge to dig out vent shafts under water table.
- All spoil will be placed in nearby field.
- Access to M25 via A413 or A355 – implied up to 100 HGVs and 100 smaller vehicles per day - “Headhouse” building designed to fit local environment
- Another vent shaft at Pipers Wood, where route will climb very steeply to exit tunnel beyond South Heath.
- Constuction compound of small single-storey buildings will exist for 6 years.
- Further shaft at Annie Baileys, (around which many houses are now owned by HS2).
- North portal beyond Frith Hill – temporary haul road down to Great Missenden roundabouts.
- New link road being constructed from Bekonscot junction across to M40.
- Possible funds for a cycleway
- Construction work will take place 8-6 Monday-Friday, 8-1 Saturday, with tunnelling 24-7.
- Operating hours on the railway will be 5-midnight in the week, 8-midnight weekends, with overnight maintenance. 14-18 trains in each direction per hour.
- Follow HS2watch.org.uk for more information
12. AOB
It was asserted by an audience member that HHVS is responsible for maintenance of the flagpole – replacement of seats will be discussed at next committee meeting.
Stephen referred to the local plan on building, (requirement for Chiltern and South Bucks to have plan for building of new homes). In this area it will be in Holmer Green area near A404, (900 extra houses). There will be 15,000 in Aylesbury, hence our ongoing focus on traffic calming.
The topic was raised of HHVS communication – we use email and occasional village drops. With better connection to the Village Hall we are also using the one-pager.
Dates of future meetings to be confirmed pending confirmation of availability of Chairman, and any planned refurbishment of the Plough function room.
Addendum: Next Committee meeting – 1st February, the Plough, 8pm
