Minutes of Meeting held on 9 January 2007

 

Present: Cllr G Daniels (Chair), Cllr H Bryant (part-time), Cllr N Collingridge, Cllr Mrs C Evans, Cllr Mrs J Thom, Cllr J Watson.

 

In attendance: A Edmonds (Clerk). (There were no members of the public)

 

Prior to the official meeting, the Council welcomed Mr Herbert Dzapata of the Community Development Agency, who came to advise on the implementation of the Parish Plan. He stated that the results of the Plan should carry weight as evidence in proposals submitted to District Council, County Council and other bodies. He strongly advised the setting up of Focus Groups to study and develop recommendations arising from the Plan and that these Groups should comprise parishioners who were interested in and enthusiastic about the specific subjects. The Chairman thanked Mr Dzapata for his advice and stated that the results of the Parish Plan Survey would be circulated to all households in the next few days with discussion meetings open everyone to be held at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 6 February, and at 11.00 a.m. on Saturday, 17 February.

 

1.          Apologies for Absence: There were no absentees.

2.          Publicity: (Cllr Bryant) Councillors reported that the sale of Calendars was proceeding reasonably well and Cllr Watson asked that any unsold ones should be returned to her for sale at Lisles.

3.          Budget 2007-08: The Council discussed and approved the Budget, which incorporated a modest increase in Hall letting charges and a small increase in the Precept required. There would be a forecast reduction of £3,600 in total funds over the year. Subject to minor amendments, Cllr Watson’s draft letter to parishioners was agreed.

4.          Visit to House of Commons: (Cllr Bryant) Cllr Bryant reported that he had arranged with Grant Shapps MP for the visit to take place on the evening of 29 January and that discussion with a coach company had indicated that costs would be about £6 / £7 per person depending on numbers attending and size of coach. The Clerk was requested to arrange any necessary insurance cover. Action: Clerk

5.          Planters: (Cllr Bryant) The state of the planters was briefly discussed.                                                                   Cllr Bryant left the meeting at this time.

6.          Minutes of Council Meeting on 12 December: The minutes were agreed and signed as a correct record.

7.          Meetings Attended by Councillors: No meetings had been attended.

8.          Correspondence: The Clerk had distributed copies of the latest HAPTC Newsletter. Cllr Daniels had received a letter from Henry Cobbold Lytton inviting him to a meeting to discuss the situation of Chas Lowe & Sons. Cllr Watson had received a letter from Head of Performance & Strategy at WHC enclosing a copy of the Corporate Plan 2006 – 10 and requesting dates of the Parish Council meeting dates in 2007 so that a date could be arranged for him to attend and discuss the Plan. The Clerk would reply. The Clerk advised that he had been notified by WHC that Holocaust Memorial Day would be marked by a ceremony at the Reiss Memorial, Parkway, at 2.00 p.m. on 29 January.

9.          Planning: (Cllr Thom)                                                                                                                a) Decisions: None to report..                                                                                                            b) Applications: 2006/1714/FP re 52 Carvers Croft was reviewed. No objection.

c) Lessiters – It was agreed that the Clerk should write to Lessiters advising that their new road sign probably needed planning permission. Action: Clerk

d) 11 London Road – It was agreed that the Clerk should write to Planning Dept, WHC, stating that it was thought that there had been a change of use, which had not received planning approval. Action: Clerk e) New sign at 11 London Road – It was agreed that the legitimacy should also be raised with WHC. Action: Clerk

f) Petit Forestier site on London Road – It was agreed that the Clerk should arrange a meeting with WHC Planning to discuss developments at this site. Action: Clerk

10.       Hall (Cllr Watson)

a) Registration of Council land – The Clerk reported that he had sent the fee of £525 to the Land Registry for the registering of the Council land at Hall Lane and Mardleybury Road and was now awaiting advice regarding the form of statutory declaration required due to a deed being missing.

b) Management of the Pond - Cllr Watson had received advice from Rob Rees, HCC, that a Statement of Stewardship was being prepared, which would set out the principles under which the Parish Council would look after the pond while preserving the rights of the owner/commoners..

c) New Storage at Hall – Cllr Watson stated that no further action would be taken on this, although the planning application would be progressed.

11.       Grounds: (Cllr Evans)

a) Access to and from St Michael’s School from the Hall grounds – Cllr Evans would prepare a draft letter for the Clerk to send to local residents. Action: Cllr Evans

b) Youth Scheme and Groundwork Trust – Cllr Evans reported that this matter was also ongoing. It was agreed that the Council would provide £2,000 for the Scheme in this financial year and up to £1,500 p.a. subsequently.

c) Inspection of Playground Equipment – Cllr Evans produced a draft new format, which was reviewed and agreed

d) RoSPA Inspections of play areas – Cllr Watson reported that it had now been agreed that our inspections be merged with those carried out for WHC. This would result in a small reduction in fees.

e) Allotments – Cllr Watson was still progressing this matter. Action: Cllr Watson

12.       Environment & Transport: (Cllr Collingridge)

a) Mardleybury Road Speed Limit – Cllr Collingridge reported that new warning signs would be erected shortly and that he was awaiting advice from Herts Highways about their view on the recently published policy on “Setting Local Speed Limits”

b) Mardleybury Road Gas Main Repairs – The Council expressed concern at the frequent need to carry out repairs to this gas main and requested the Clerk to make these concerns known to the Area Manager of Transco.

          Action: Clerk

c) Footpath Map, Board & Leaflets - Cllr Collingridge will be meeting a member of Datchworth Parish Council next Monday to discuss this matter further.

d) Recycling Bins – Cllr Watson reported that this matter was still ongoing. Action: Cllr Watson

13 Finance: (Cllr Daniels)

a) The Payments and Accounts for December had been circulated and were agreed

14.     War Memorial Refurbishment: No further action.

15.     WGSSC: Cllr Daniels reported that he would be meeting representatives next week. . Action: Cllr Daniels

16.     Computer Grant: Cllr Collingridge reported that he would be installing the new equipment in the near future.

         Action: Cllr Collingridge.

17.     No Caller Zone: The Council discussed the suggestion by Gary Fenton, Neighbourhood Watch Area Co-ordinator for Woolmer Green, that the village should become a “no cold caller” zone. It was agreed not to pursue this idea, because it was considered that individual property signs would be much more effective. The Clerk would reply to Mr. Fenton. Action: Clerk

18.     Next Meeting: Tuesday, 13 February, 2007.

 

 

AAE 11.01.07