Minutes of Meeting of Woolmer Green Parish Council
Held on 11th January 2005

Present:              Cllr. H. Bryant (Chair)      Cllr. Mrs. J. Watson        Cllr. Mrs J. Thom   Cllr. D. Marriott
Cllr. Mrs C. Evans

In attendance:   Mr Alan Edmonds (Clerk)              Mrs. L. Vincent (Minutes Secretary)  Members of public

1.      Apologies for absence: Received from Cllr. G Daniels.

2.      Minutes of Council Meeting on 14th December 2004. Signed as a correct record.

3.      Meetings attended by Councillors: A meeting has been arranged for 12th January 2005 between Cllrs. Bryant and Daniels and Mr. Paul Jarczewski.

4.      Bus Passes: A reply had been received from Melanie Johnson, M.P., which was not very encouraging. Cllrs. Watson and Evans to raise matter at the next HPTC meeting. Action: Cllr. Watson & Evans

5.      Private Access to Council Land. No further action had yet been taken. Carried forward to next meeting.

6.      Matters raised with Highways Dept of HCC. Still no reply received, so a reminder email had been sent.

7.      PPP: Paul Jarczewski had accepted the invitation to attend a Parish meeting in either February or March.

8.      Light Pollution: Deferred to next meeting.

9.      Hall Structure Report (Cllr. Marriott):

(a)       Repairs to front Canopy and drainage works were carried out over the Christmas holidays.

(b)       One of the tables was in need of repair. Action: Cllr. Marriott

10.   Hall Management Report. (Cllr. Watson):

(a)       Yellow Pages had offered a colour advertisement for the Hall for £1,754. It was agreed that this was too expensive; especially considering that the Hall bookings were excellent with existing advertisements.

11.   Grounds Report (Cllr. Evans):

(a)       Works to both playgrounds had been completed, however the wooden edging around the new safety surface was a potential hazard as it could be tripped over and needed pushing further into the ground.                                                               Action: Cllr. Watson & Evans

(b)       The chestnut tree in the Hall grounds had been cut back and made safer.

(c)       The seats on the swings had been replaced.

12.   Environment (Reported by Cllr. Watson)

(a)       East of England Plan: Cllrs. Watson and Thom had attended this Conference, which was very informative. The public consultations need to be submitted by 18th March 2005. All were in agreement that this be deferred to next meeting to allow Councillors to look at the documentation. It was also agreed that the details be placed on the website with a link to the official website.

(b)       On 20th January 2005 there is a meeting on Regional Spatial Strategy, 7 for 7:30pm, at Knebworth.

13.   Publicity (Reported by Cllr. Watson):

(a)       The Parish Plan: Two meetings had been held for community groups and businesses in the village. Although not many attended the community group meeting, the response was very enthusiastic. There were 8 businesses represented at the other meeting. A report had also been received from St MichaelÕs school. Invitations to all villagers to attend the meeting on 15th February will be distributed to all households.

(b)       Website update: Carried forward to next meeting.

14.   Planning (Cllr. Thom):

(a)       Decisions: The application for a Vodafone telephone mast at Mardley Hill had been approved.

(b)       Application 1886: 7 Birch Road. 2 storey side and single storey rear extension. No comment.

(c)       Application 1892: Mardleybury Manor. Erection of an Orangery. No comment.

(d)       Application 1857: 65 Garden Road. 2 storey side and single storey rear extension. Cllr. Marriott declared an interest. Concern was expressed that this was over development of the site and that the building would be too close to the bank.                             Action: Clerk

(e)       Application 1663: 22 London Road. Cllr. Marriott declared an interest. Council acknowledged that the previous objections raised by the Parish Council had all been taken into consideration with this new submission. However, concern was expressed that the proposed materials were not in keeping with the adjacent properties and that this was over development of the site. Action: Clerk

15.   Finance (Cllr. Watson):

(a)       Payments in December 2004 were unanimously accepted, proposed by Cllr. Bryant, seconded by Cllr. Marriott.

(b)       The accounts for April- December were approved, proposed by Cllr. Bryant, seconded by Cllr. Marriott.

(c)       Budget 2005-6: It was proposed by Cllr. Watson and seconded by Cllr. Bryant that the revised budget be approved. All were in agreement. The budget will be distributed to all villagers with the Council Tax letters.

(d)       All were in agreement to accept the quotation received for a new heating system.

16.   Young Villagers: A meeting with Young Villagers had been arranged for 13th January at 7:30pm, but failure to make contact with the Young Villagers meant this meeting had to be postponed. All were in agreement that a note be included in the invitation to attend the parish plan meeting on 15th February, inviting the young villagers to have their say 30 minutes before the main meeting.

17.   Tree trunks dumped in Woods: Feedback from enquiries said that ancient woodland was not a protected area. Cllr. Bryant agreed to chase this further to find out why.                                                              Action: Chair

18.   Chair cleaning: This will be on Sunday 23rd January from 11am, with brunch provided for all those cleaning. A spring clean of the hall will be carried out at the same time.

19.   Clerks Conditions of employment: A meeting needs to be arranged. Action: Chair, Clerk, Cllr. Watson.

20.   Freedom of Information Act: The Clerk had prepared a notice to be displayed on notice boards.

21.   Celebration of ParishÕs 5th Birthday in 2005: A meeting of the Entertainments Committee had been held. It was agreed that this celebration should be a cultural day with surrounding parish Councils invited to attend. Suggestions ranged from a photograph exhibition, ballroom dancing exhibition, fancy dress and a colouring competition for the children.

22.   Appointment of a Hall Booking Clerk: An application for this posthad already been received. It now needs to be advertised in the magazine and on notice boards.                                                                                                                                Action: Clerk

23.   Inter Parish Conference: 21st February 2005. At 6:45pm in Tewin. Carried forward to next meeting.

24.   CPRE meeting in Knebworth: 1st March 2005 Š meeting cancelled.

25.   Book of Woolmer Green: A letter had been received from the publishers offering books for£5 a book if over 50 books were purchased. All were in agreement that it would be a good idea to have some. Cllr. Bryant agreed to telephone to negotiate a good price.                                            Action: Chair

26.   Any other business:

(a)   A letter had been received from the Performing Rights Society to say that they would be visiting to conduct market research on the sort of music played in halls.

(b)  For the Summer Village Day, it was reported that grants were being given to support street parties celebrating end of the war anniversary. It was agreed that this be investigated by Cllr. Watson..

(c)   A letter had been received from Sue Keach, asking for a donation to assist with the £1000 shortcoming of upkeep of the church grounds. All were in agreement that a letter be written saying that the Council would see how much available funds it had at the end of the financial year and then would consider. Action: Clerk

27.   Date of next meeting: Tuesday 8th February 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs Linda Vincent
Minutes Secretary
Woolmer Green Parish Council                                                                              13th January 2005