Minutes of Meeting of Woolmer Green Parish Council

Held on 14 March 2006

 

Present: Cllr G Daniels (Acting Chair), Cllr Mrs J Watson, Cllr Mrs C Evans,
Cllr Mrs J Thom, Cllr D Marriott (first part only)

                                                                                                                                   

In attendance: Mr A Edmonds (Clerk), Mrs F Young (Minutes Secretary), Mr Chris Knight (Fisheries Officer, Carpline), Members of the Public

 

1.         Apologies for Absence: Cllr H Bryant

 

2.         Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on 14 February: The minutes had been circulated and were signed as a correct record.

 

3.         Meetings Attended by Councillors:

Cllr Evans attended a Road Safety meeting on 15 February. Cllrs. Evans and Watson attended the presentation on 13 March of the Road Safety Challenge Shield to St. Michael’s School by Cllr. John Roper, Chairman of the Welwyn District Road Safety Committee. The council extended congratulations to the school.

 

4.     Chris Knight, Fisheries Officer

Chris Knight had analysed samples of village pond water, and found high levels of phosphates, probably from run-off from the local fields. He was willing to advise on stocking the pond with grass carp, which would solve the pondweed problem, and supervise an ongoing program of environmental care.                                                   

 

5.         The Pond Committee.

Cllr Bryant sent his apologies that his report on pond issues had now been postponed until expert advice had been sought. A two-page synopsis of pond issues had been circulated after the last Council meeting to Council members, along with a letter from Chris James, the District Council’s Landscape & Ecology Officer. The Council felt unable to answer any comments or queries from the public at this stage until Chris James’ response had been received. The question of ownership of the pond was raised by a member of the public. Cllr. Watson will query this at a meeting she and the Clerk are having with Durk Rayner, of District Council, on other issues on 16^th March. It was suggested that a high level meeting be arranged to discuss the pond with District Council, Countryside Management Service, the Environment Agency and the police once ownership had been established. Recommendations from the public on fishing and other pond matters would be welcome at the Annual Parish meeting on 11 April.

Action: Cllr Watson

6.         Hall Fabric & Transport

         a) Missing sign, New Road/London Road : no further action.

         b) Speed limit on Mardleybury Road (Cllr Watson): Mr N Collingridge of Mardleybury Farmhouse is sending a letter to the Highways Dept and police lobbying for a reduction in the speed limit from derestricted to 40mph between Datchworth and Woolmer Green, and asked the Council for a letter of support. The Council agreed and the Clerk will respond saying we are forwarding his letter to the Welwyn Road Safety Committee (via Cllr Evans). Action: Clerk, Cllr Evans

 

7.         Cllr Marriott

Cllr Marriott offered his resignation due to unforeseen circumstances and the council accepted this, with regret. The Chairman proposed he be given a vote of thanks his all his hard work on the Farmers’ Market, which was seconded by Cllr Watson. The council will declare a casual vacancy for a councillor and a notice will be put on the notice board and in the next newsletter. Any enquiries should be addressed to the Clerk. Cllr. Marriott left the meeting. Action: Clerk

 

8.         Hall Management: (Cllr Watson)

a.     A new hob for the cooker had been bought for £170.20 and was ready to install.

b.     The light box belonging to the old Woolmer Green Community Group would be disposed of as no reply had been received from a letter asking if anyone wanted it.

c.     CCTV: there was public support for this since five cars had been broken into in the hall car park and the Parish Plan questionnaire showed a positive response to CCTV.

d.     The cupboard, which stored the light box, would now be fitted with shelves.

e.     A grant for older children’s play equipment could be applied for from BIFFA. It was proposed the application should wait until the Parish Plan was resolved.

 

9.         Grounds: (Cllr Evans)

a.     Play Equipment: Cllr Daniels offered to take a digital photo of the boards needing replacement on the chain bridge which Cllr Evans could then send off to Playdell for replacements. Action: Cllrs Daniels, Evans

b.     Pruning of tree in Garden Road: Completed.

c.     Dog Fouling: A notice for the Garden Road play area had been obtained and was awaiting positioning

 

10.      Environment: (Cllr Bryant)

a.     PPP: carried over.

b.     Map: A new map with up-to-date footpaths had been received. A copy of this could be used to mark-off land for land-registry purposes.

c.     Flower Tubs: Mrs Bryant was thanked for her work on the tubs, which looked good.

d.     Land Registry Check: The Clerk had received notes and costs from NALCC. The council agreed it was worth registering land ask asked Cllr Watson and the Clerk to do so. Maximum cost would be £525. Action: Cllr Watson and Clerk

e.     Draft Hertfordshire Policing Plan 2006-07: Cllr Watson would attend.

f.      Speed limit reduction in the village: No response yet from Grant Shapps MP.

g.     PSCOs: The Clerk was asked to write a letter to Welwyn Parish Council to find out what their plans were for funding a community policy officer. Action: Clerk

h.    New local policewoman: Clare Parfitt, had been invited to the Annual Parish Meeting.

11.      Publicity: (Cllr Daniels)

a.     Parish Plan: Cllr Daniels had received a 20-25% response rate to the questionnaires. Thanks were expressed to all villagers who returned their questionnaire and a vote of thanks was given to Cllr Daniels for organising it with Cllrs Watson and Evans. A full report would be ready for the Annual Parish Meeting.

b.     Calendar: The CDA had received a complimentary copy, but not the CPRE as yet. Lisles garage had sold another box of the Woolmer Green Book.

c.     Christmas Card design competition. Cllr Evans would check with the school if they were in agreement with the possibility of selling them at Lisles garage.

Action: Cllr Evans

 

12.      Planning: (Cllr Thom)

a. London Road retail property: The planning office will be contacted to ascertain if failure to sell property as a shop for 6 months allows it then to be turned into housing.

Action: Clerk

b. Beechwood Homes will straighten the milestone disturbed through their building work. The Clerk will request the fences around the new houses be better aligned.

 

13.      Finance:

a.     The Payments and Accounts for February had been circulated and were proposed by Cllr Daniels and seconded by Cllr Watson.

b.     Burgess Memorials had not completed the work on the war memorial satisfactorily and, although they had submitted the bill, it would not be paid until the work was done. A meeting with Burgess had been arranged for 16 March.

 

14.      Entertainments Committee: A meeting would be held Friday, 17 March, at 8pm at the village hall. Any one interested in volunteering to be on the Committee would be most welcome.

 

15. Cricket Nets: (Cllr Daniels)

         A detailed plan had been received from Jeff Hazel on all aspects of the proposed cricket nets. The quote for removal of the old foundations and installing new foundations for the nets was £16,000. The Cricket Club is looking to join the English Cricket Board and is applying for part-funding from them. Cllr Daniels will ask what funding they are getting and that the council is happy to help out and support but is unable to pay for the total. If the organisers obtain charitable status they will not have to pay vat. The Council will need a solicitor to draw up a legal agreement for WGSSC to use Council land.

 

13.    Village of the Year Competition: (Cllr Watson)

Cllr Daniels will check the entry date. Action: Cllr Daniels

 

14.    Forthcoming events/meetings:

a. Grant Shapps local question time: This will be held in the village hall on Thursday, 11 May.

b. The Annual Parish Meeting, 7.30 pm, 11 April, will have a talk by David Bond on Forensics, the local police have been invited and the Clerk was requested to ask for reports from the school and the church. Coffee and light refreshments will be served. Cllr Bryant will give an overview of the year. Action: The Clerk, Cllr Bryant

 

15.    Any other Business

a. The Busy Bees toddler group which meets in the hall every Wednesday was felt to be a great asset to the village and, to offer more support during times of reduced attendance, the Council proposed the hall hire cost be reduced by £5 per session.

b. The football nets have developed holes and it will be suggested the football clubs which regularly use the facilities help to pay for the cost of 2 more nets by the way of a small levy.

 

16. Date of Next Meeting: Closed Session Monday 10 April 2006.

Annual Parish Meeting Tuesday 11 April 2006.

 

Mrs Fiona Young, Minutes Secretary