Sarratt Parish Council Online
Serving the People of Sarratt
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About Us
Sarratt is in a rural area and the Parish Council own and are responsible for a number of open spaces and woodlands. These include the Green in Sarratt Village, Dawes Common in the Chilterns AONB, Commonwood and Penmans Green.
There are some 30 miles of footpaths within the Parish and these are well used by local people and many visitors.
About Sarratt
Sarratt is an historic village which sits in an area of outstanding natural beauty surrounded by fields which roll down to the enchanting Chess Valley riverbed.
Loved by residents and visitors alike for its stunning landscape and fantastic walking, Sarratt possesses some 30 miles of footpaths, cycling and horse riding. To many people, the name represents just the village area around the Green, however the modern Civil Parish is much larger and can be seen on the map, it includes not only the hamlets of Belsize, Bucks Hill, Commonwood and Chandlers Cross but also The Grove away to the east.
Sarratt benefits from a Community Shop, Post Office, Primary School, Church, Doctors and various welcoming Public houses.
Extract from the village website. You can find out more here
Meet The Council
Sarah Dobson, Chair
Sarah moved to Sarratt in 2001 having grown up in Ruislip. She has been a member of the Parish Council since 2016, taking on the role of Vice Chair in 2018, and became Chair in May 2019.
Sarah is married to John Gill, who is Treasurer of the Sarratt Horticultural Society. They have two sons, Oliver and Samuel, who both attend St Clement Danes School, plus two labradors. Sarah has worked at BP since 1987, and in 2010 moved from working full time to part time. When not working, Sarah runs the Sarratt Cub Pack and is an assistant leader with Sarratt Explorer Scouts. Sarah is also a member of the Sarratt Youth Group steering team. She has previously been involved in other initiatives in the Village including development of the 2012 Parish Plan, the Sarratt Village Day and served on the KGV Committee for 3 years.
As SPC Chair, Sarah’s goal is for the Parish Council to continue preserving the things so many members of the community love about Sarratt, as well as supporting the future development of the Parish in a way which protects what residents and visitors to the area treasure, whilst enabling it to continue to grow and thrive.
John Rugg, Vice Chair
We have lived in the parish of Sarratt for over 20 years and I have held various roles as a Parish Councillor both in Sarratt and previously in Cheshire.
Having recently relinquished my role as a Trustee of an International Conservation Charity I continue to maintain a keen interest in the protection of the environment on land and sea.
Prior to retirement I had a long career in British industry, most of it spent with ICI Plc, gaining business experience in sales, marketing, export logistics, trading, and process management. After retiring from I sat on the Board of two Not For Profit organisations and was a committee member of the British Horse Society and a local Sailing Association. My main interest remains sailing and I skipper my boat in both the UK and northern European waters. I retain an interest in and enjoy being further educated on the history, architecture and art of the UK and Europe.
Lee Forman, Planning Lead
Lee has lived in S.W. Herts all his life and moved to Sarratt with his family in 2010 when he had the rare opportunity to build an eco house. He recently retired from a career as an IT director and now spends time as a youth drama leader and arts venue management. He is the Chair of the Pump House Theatre and Arts Trust in Watford and founder of the Watford Fringe.
Lee is a passionate environmentalist focusing on practical solutions to reduce our impact and to live sustainably. He enjoys living in Sarratt as a place that takes good care of its environment and has a strong, proud community. As a councillor he hopes to be able to provide some useful support to help Sarratt continue to be a great place for all its community.
Peter Thorp, Lead for Policy and Resources
I have lived in Sarratt since 2015 having spent more than 30 years in Croxley Green.
I married Yvonne in March 2017 and between us we have five children in their twenties and thirties.
My professional background includes Physical Education teaching (three secondary schools in Watford), twenty years in financial services and director of a management development company specialising in coaching, mentoring and leadership training.
I am now semi retired and enjoy a small amount of consultancy work together with a number of voluntary roles.
I particularly enjoy working with young people and hope I can make a difference in this area.
Sarratt is a wonderful place to live with so much potential for people of all ages.
Nick Mortimer, Lead for Environment
Nick joined the Metropolitan Police in 1975 finally leaving in 2016, during that time he was engaged in uniform duties as well as surveillance and protection roles. He moved to Sarratt in 2010 and joined the council as Lead for Environment from 2014 to 2019. He rejoined the council in 2020 and is Lead for Environment again, he also runs the Litter Picking group and coordinates Rural Watch in the area. As well as SPC he also helps out with Sunrise and Sunset Club when they require an extra pair of hands.
Michael Lowry, Policy and Resources
Michael has now lived in Sarratt for two years recently moving from nearby Croxley Green where he lived with his wife and teenage son for over twenty years.
A qualified accountant, he has spent most of his career in the large accountancy practices providing client advisory services to both private and public sector organisations. Most notably, his public sector experience includes projects within the former Department of Social Services, Ministry of Defence and the Department of Education. More recently, he has been providing consultancy and project management advice to a newly formed organisation formed from two large local government authorities providing pension administration services to other local authorities.
Michael is currently working remotely from home for a Glasgow based charity and consequently his commute has changed to the daily school run between Sarratt and Rickmansworth. This Scottish charity is supporting and enabling the Government’s ‘Kickstart’ scheme in providing work opportunities for young people both in Scotland and the Northeast of England within the current climate.
John Gell, Highways
John has been on the Parish Council since 1987 and a past Chairman on 4 occasions. He is a retired farmer and is currently lead member for Highways.
How your money was spent last year
All data taken from the 2020 Parish Report
This section giovers a breakdown of the Council's expenditure. There are six figures, corresponding to the expenditure on: Staffing/Office Admin; on Environment; on Grants; on Rights of Way Maintenance; on the Youth Group; and Other expenditure. As percentages of the total expenditure, these figures are:
Item
Staffing/Office Admin
Environment
Grants
Rights of Way Maintenance
Youth Group
Other
% of total
35
27
12
3
2
27
Item
Staffing/Office Admin
Environment
Grants
Rights of Way Maintenance
Youth Group
Other
% of total
35
27
12
3
2
27
Minutes of the Last Meeting
Parish Office, Village Hall,
The Green, Sarratt, Rickmansworth
Hertfordshire. WD3 6AS
Telephone: 01923 262025
Email: sarratt_parish@btconnect.com
Web: www.sarrattparishcouncil.co.uk
Minutes of the Sarratt Parish Council meeting held in
Sarratt Village Hall on Wednesday 9 June 2021
Present: Councillor Sarah Dobson
Councillor Peter Thorp
Councillor John Gell
Councillor Nick Mortimer
Councillor Simon Diggins (left the meeting at 8.25pm)
Councillor Lee Farman
Councillor Flo Garvey
Councillor Michael Lowry
In attendance: District Councillors Ciaran Reed and Alex Hayward
2 members of the public
Start time 7.31pm
131.APOLOGIES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
Apologies from Councillor Rugg and the Clerk.
Welcome to three new Councillors, Flo Garvey, Lee Farman and Michael Lowry.
Welcome also to Ciaran Reed, our new District Councillor.
132.DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None.
133. MINUTES
To confirm and sign the Minutes of the Annual Statutory Meeting held on 19th May 2021.
Proposed: Cllr Mortimer
Seconded: Cllr Gell
134. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES WHO HAVE ATTENDED MEETINGS ON BEHALF OF THE COUNCIL
None.
135. APPOINTMENT OF LEAD AND DEPUTY MEMBERS TO WORKING GROUPS
Proposal for working group leads and deputies:
Policy & Resources – Cllr Thorp, deputy Cllr Lowry
Highways – Cllr Diggins, deputy Cllr Gell
Environment – Cllr Rugg, Cllr Mortimer
Sustainability – Cllr Garvey
Planning – Cllr Farman, Cllr Rugg (temporary basis)
All appointments were approved.
Proposed: Cllr Garvey
Seconded: Cllr Diggins
136. APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES TO OTHER BODIES
Proposal for represenatives to other bodies:
King George V Trustees – 2 reps: Cllr Rugg and Cllr Mortimer
TRDC Environmental Forum – 1 rep: Cllr Garvey
Sarratt Village Hall – 1 rep: Cllr Gell
Days Charity – 1 rep: former Cllr David Rees, has agreed to keep Council updated on matters arising
London Green Belt Council - 1 rep: Cllr Gell
Joint Committee of Parish Councils – 3 reps: Chair, Vice Chair and Clerk
HAPTC – 2 reps: Chair and Clerk
Chandlers Cross Residents Association – 1 rep: Cllr Gell
All appointments were approved.
Proposed: Cllr Farman
Seconded: Cllr Mortimer
137. REVIEW OF STANDING ORDERS AND FINANCIAL REGULATIONS
Approved.
Proposed: Cllr Garvey
Seconded: Cllr Gell
The updated Standing Orders and Financial Regulations effective 9 June 2021 will be uploaded onto the SPC website.
ENVIRONMENT
138.LEAD COUNCILLORS REPORT
Several fallen branches/trees in Dawes Common and across the nearby footpaths have been dealt with – trees cut up and footpaths made good.
TRDC have advised they will no longer be emptying 19 litter bins on SPC land (for free) and we need to find a service provider. The Clerk has written to TRDC requesting an extension of the current service to the end of July to allow SPC time to make alternative arrangements, which has been agreed. SPC will need to secure quotes from three potential suppliers, which could include TRDC as a paid for service. Cllr Garvey suggested we ask each supplier to quote for the following levels of service:
1. Standard bin pick up to go to land fill
2. Bin pick up to be separated for recycling by the supplier
3. Additional bins - 1 x standard and 1 x mixed recycling at each location
Action – Clerk to progress
139.WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PLAN
A meeting was due to take place early this month with Robert Young from the HCC Countryside Management Team to look at the next iteration of the 10-year Woodland Plan following comments from Councillors, Sustainable Sarratt and the Wildlife Volunteers during site visits to Commonwood Common that took place in April on his original ideas. Unfortunately, Richard has had to take early paternity leave. The next meeting is therefore anticipated in early July.
POLICY & RESOURCES
140.LEAD COUNCILLORS REPORT
No written report.
141. APPROVAL OF PAYMENTS
To approve internet banking transactions to the sum of £6,156.82.
Approved: Cllr Mortimer
Seconded: Cllr Garvey
142.AGAR – Chair to sign off
Not all information was available in time for the meeting so there will be an extraordinary meeting before 30 June to sign off the 20/21 AGAR.
PLANNING
143. LEAD COUNCILLORS REPORT
The Chair advised that effective next month Cllr Farman, as the new Lead for Planning, would be presenting future agenda items on planning, but for this meeting this would be led by her. However, both Cllr Farman and Cllr Rugg had been involved in prepping for the review of this month’s planning applications (see below).
The Chair expressed thanks to Cllr Gell who attended the TRDC Planning Committee on 27 May to raise SPC’s objections to the planning application for Petherick Pastures in Buck’s Hill which was subsequently refused by the Planning Committee.
The Chair advised TRDC’s new Local Plan (Reg 18 site consultation) was due to be published on Friday 11 June, with a six-week consultation period. It was agreed to schedule an extraordinary SPC meeting on Wednesday 23 June to review the implications for Sarratt, and formulate our response to TRDC, as well as agree what communication/engagement should be made to Sarratt parishioners. It was noted that the Chandlers Cross Residents’ Association (CCRA) is keen to ‘leaflet drop’ residents to speak up about the plan. A request has been made to the CCRA to desist from leaflet dropping Sarratt residents until SPC has had chance to review the sites being considered under the new TRDC Local Plan at the meeting, now proposed for 23 June.
144.TO COMMENT ON PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Great Wheelers, The Green, Sarratt, WD3 6BJ: 21/0541/FUL
Discharge of Condition 3 (Method Statement) and Condition 4 (Materials) pursuant to application.
Decision: No objection
Morar, Dimmocks Lane, Sarratt, WD3 6AP: 21/1090/FUL
Single storey rear extension and garage conversion including alterations to fenestration.
Decision: No objection
Inglewood, Poles Hill, Sarratt, WD3 4NR: 21/1242/FUL
Conversion of existing garage to self-contained annexe including excavation of surrounding land and construction of retaining walls.
Decision: No objection providing that a condition is applied to any approval such that the annex must remain ancillary to the main property and cannot be sold as a separate dwelling.
4 New Cottages, Solesbridge Lane, Chorleywood, WD3 6AD: 21/1326/FUL
Part single, part two storey, front, side and rear extensions, extension of the existing driveway.
Decision: Objection on the grounds of over-development, and request the application is called into Committee if the Planning Officer is minded to approve.
145.TO NOTE PLANNING DECISIONS
Old House Farm, Old House Lane. Application No: 21/0595/FUL
Extension to existing garage and conversion into habitable accommodation – amended to a garage extension only
SPC: No objection
TRDC: Refused on the basis of size, scale and siting, and therefore over development of the Green Belt and a reduction in the openness of the Green Belt.
Petherick Pastures, Bucks Hill, WD4 9AE. Application No: 21/0542/FUL
Demolition of existing buildings and menage and construction of detached bungalow with associated parking, hardstanding and soft landscaping.
SPC: Objection
TRDC: Refused by TRDC Planning Committee
Little Paddock, Little Windmill Hill, Chipperfield, WD4 9DG. Application No: 21/0797/FUL
Single storey side garage extension to main house, raised patio to rear and single storey pool outbuilding with associated patio.
SPC: No objection.
Withdrawn by applicant
Brackenhurst, The Common, Chipperfield, WD4 9BZ. Application No: 21/0656/CLPD
Construction of outdoor swimming pool.
SPC: No objection.
TRDC: Approved
Christmas Tree Farm Deadmans Ash Lane Sarratt Hertfordshire: 21/0850/PIP
Permission in Principle: Change of use to residential and construction of two single storey houses with associated residential curtilages.
SPC: Objection.
Withdrawn by applicant
It was noted that an appeal has been lodged for Application No: 20/2802/FUL (The Old Cattle Shed, Red Lion Lane, Sarratt, WD3 6BN) for the erection of a multi-purpose agricultural barn at the bottom of Red Lion Lane. SPC objected to the application which was refused by TRDC.
HIGHWAYS
146.LEAD COUNCILLORS REPORT
No significant changes since the last report. Roadworks continue throughout the Parish as HCC Highways and other contractors clear the Covid-19 backlog.
Focus over the last month has concentrated on:
• Police liaison over safety concerns for Sarratt Road, to ascertain their views.
• Progressing safety and road improvements, especially Church Lane, Red Lion Lane and outside York House School.
• No response as yet on the grant submitted by SPC to HCC for monies to improve cycle safety.
Looking ahead:
• Seek to improve liaison over road closures between HCC and contractors.
• Requirement for definitive improvements on Bucks Hill - the road surface is a complete disgrace, there are more pot-holes and patch repairs than actual road surface.
147.FINGERPOSTS
Unfortunately, the supplier of our ordered, new fingerposts has ceased trading so we need to look for a new supplier.
Chair to pursue
148.KGV ALIVE UPDATE
Responses to the feedback questionnaire closed on 31 May after a month, a public consultation meeting has been arranged for Friday 9th July at KGV. Tickets for this meeting can be requested by emailing: amc.sarratt@gmail.com
149.REMEMBRANCE GARDEN UPDATE
Cllr Diggins is in contact with Sarratt School but left the meeting prior to this agenda item and was therefore not available to provide any further information.
Chair to speak with Cllr Diggins regarding the project
150.OAK TREE 666
A new plaque is currently being produced and should be delivered before the end of June.
Cllr Garvey has offered to provide two saplings, which can be nurtured before being planted out to replace Oak Tree 666 as requested by TRDC. This offer was gratefully accepted. It was also noted planting the new oak trees on the War Memorial side of the Green would inhibit the use of that section of the Green for events such as the May Fair. It was agreed to discuss with the Wildlife Volunteers alternative locations on the section of the Green where oak tree 666 was located.
151.BIGGERSTAFFS PLAQUE
A 1.5 ft x 1 ft plaque has been agreed for the wall of the garage to commemorate the centenary anniversary of Biggerstaffs.
Chair and David Turner meeting with Andy Biggerstaff on 10 June to confirm final details.
152.CORRESPONDENCE
A letter has been received from Edgar Anderson, our local representative for the Chiltern Society Rights of Way Group, proposing a bench in recognition and memory of the late John Goodman. It was agreed that subject to the family being supportive this was a good idea but it should be located somewhere other than Dawes Common which already has a large number of benches. Somewhere close to the Wildlife Sanctuary near Valley Farm might be a good alternative.
Clerk to contact the family and Edgar Anderson
153.PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
None.
154.COUNCILLORS QUESTIONS & COMMENTS
Council universally welcomed Cllrs Farman, Garvey and Lowry and thanked them for such a positive contribution at their first meeting, they are all a great addition to SPC. Thanks were also given to District Cllrs Hayward and Reed for attending.
155.DATE OF NEXT MEETING AND ITEMS REQUESTED TO BE PUT ON NEXT AGENDA
The date of the next meeting will be Tuesday 13th July 2021.
Meeting closed at 9.23 pm
Caroline Owen
Proper Officer/RFO, Sarratt Parish Council
Agenda of the Next Meeting
Agenda of the Next Meeting
Contact the Clerk:
by email
or telephone (01923) 262025
Visit the Parish Office:
(Located behind the Village Hall)