Minutes of Meeting of Woolmer Green Parish Council

Held on 10 January 2006

 

Present: Cllr H Bryant (Chair), Cllr Mrs J Watson, Cllr Mrs C Evans, Cllr Mrs J Thom

  

 

In attendance: Mrs F Young (Minutes Secretary)

 

 

1.         Apologies for Absence: Cllr D Marriott, Cllr G Daniels, Mr A Edmonds (Clerk)

 

2.         Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on 6 December: These had been circulated and item 4 amended to read “potholes ‘had not’ been done”, and were signed as a correct record.

 

3.         Meetings Attended by Councillors:

a.     Cllr Watson had walked a circuit of the village with Phil Dell of Hertfordshire Highways and reviewed all potholes and waste-water gullies in need of maintenance. Mr Dell has promised to formulate a list but, as this had not yet been received, Cllr Watson would e-mail him a reminder. Action: Cllr Watson

b.     The Pond Committee and volunteers had met with Chris James, the District Council’s Environment Officer. A closed season for fishing had been proposed from the end of June to the end of August each year. Fishing would be allowed from 8 am to 8 pm and excluded from the back half of the pond. The large willow was to be pollarded with willow saplings planted and cared for by the District Council to increase shade. A one-day hire of Mardleybury Fishing Club’s pond would be investigated as a venue for holding a fishing competition for villagers.

c. The Entertainments Committee had drawn up a draft constitution that would be finalized at its next meeting and submitted to the Council.

 

4.         Private Access To Council Land: no further action

 

5.         Hall Fabric and Transport:

a.     The hall Hire Conditions would be up-dated. Action: Cllr Watson

b.     CCTV: It was pointed out Welwyn’s CCTV scheme had not met with great success and the installation of CCTV might spoil the good relations with village youths. The item will be carried forward for Cllr Daniels’ input.

 

6.         Grounds:

a.     Cllr Evans and Cllr Watson will walk around the playgrounds with Simon Cooper to plan repairs and maintenance allowed for in the new budget.
Action: Cllr Evan, Cllr Watson

b.     Cricket Nets: The Council is waiting for a response from Woolmer Green Sports and Social Club.

 

7.         Environment:

a.     The fence and swing gate on the footpath at Mardleybury Farm presented no obstruction to the footpath.

b.     No offers had been received to clean and repair the War Memorial so Cllr Watson had contacted Burgesses; it was agreed to accept a quote between £380-500.

c.     PPP: The waymarkers have been checked and are in good order. It was proposed a vandal-proof public notice board detailing local footpaths would be of benefit to the village, possibly located near the village hall. Cllr Bryant would obtain a quote. Footpath maintenance could include the grading of the footpath from New Road to Mardeleybury Farm, the addition of dog fouling signs and repairs to the footpath where Bridgers Path and Robbery Bottom Lane meet(?). Action: Cllr Bryant

d.     Flower Tubs: plants had been purchased and were ready for planting.

e.     Land Registry check – carried forward

f.      Draft Hertfordshire Policing Plan 2006-07: Cllr Bryant would reply voicing the Council’s views that it was difficult to envisage what the lists of statistics meant in practise, but a local policing update would be welcomed at the Annual Parish Meeting.
Action: Cllr Bryant

g.   As the Road Safety Bill was due before parliament this month, Cllr Bryant would write to Grant Shapps MP about reducing the speed limit to 30 miles/hr through the village.
Action: Cllr Bryant

8.         Publicity: (Cllr Daniels)

a.     Parish Plan: Cllr Daniels reported (via e-mail) 600 questionnaires had been distributed and a vote of thanks was given to Cllr Watson, Mrs Gitte Daniels and Cllr Evans for their hard work. Questionnaires were due back by 31 January but this would be extended to include February as well.

b.     2006 Calendar: Cllr Watson would send complimentary copies to CPRE, the CDA and Cllr Bryant would send one to G Shapps MP.
Action: Cllr Bryant and Cllr Watson

c.     Lisles Garage had sold 38 copies of the Book of Woolmer Green in one week. Another box of books would be delivered for sale.

9.         Planning: (Cllr Thom)

a. Application – N6/2005/1492/FP the extension to the school car park – agreed.

b.     Application P/19613G-2/GEN/050 O₂ mast – objection. This was considered too near the school and, as there were already 4 masts at that location, undesirable. The council would offer an alternative site for an annual rent.
Action: The Clerk to reply to District Council by 5 Feb 06

10.      Finance:

a.     Gas Price Increase: Cllr Watson had received advice that the gas bill (business gas) was projected to increase by 50% from £2600 to c£4000. To cover this increase it was unaminously agreed hall hire fees would be put up in April by 5%. This would be a minimal increase for hirers but would cover the extra expense of gas.

b.     Budget 2006/7: The budget was amended to include these extra costs, was adopted and would be signed off at the next meeting.

c.     Staff Xmas Bonus: The amount of £25 bonus was agreed for all staff.

 

11.      Forthcoming events/meetings:

a.   Grant Shapps would be invited to speak at an evening question session after Easter. Cllr Bryant would arrange a convenient date. Action: Cllr Bryant

b.   The Interparish Conference at Bramfield falls on the same date as the next Parish Council Meeting. Cllr Watson would send the Council’s apologies.
Action: Cllr Watson

 

 

 

12.      Any other Business

a.     Christmas Cards: Cards were received from Hatfield Town Council, Arise‘n’shine Cleaning Services, the Chairman, and the Leader, of Welwyn Hatfield Council. It was agreed the Parish had a role as a lobbying organisation and the sending of Christmas cards would remind people of this. It was agreed a Christmas card design competition would be held in the school in early November and this could be used as an official card from the Parish Council next Christmas.

b.     The Welwyn Road Safety Committee is holding an annual competition in the school run by Tony Keach. Cllr Evans will be assisting.

c.     Cllr Watson, Cllr Bryant and Cllr Thom attended the War Memorial Service in November.

21. Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday 14 February 2006.

 

Mrs Fiona Young, Minutes Secretary

Woolmer Green Parish Council