Minutes of Meeting held on 13 March 2007
Present: Cllr G. Daniels (Chair), Cllr. H. Bryant, Cllr N Collingridge, Cllr Mrs J. Thom, Cllr. Mrs. J. Watson..
In attendance: A. Edmonds (Clerk). Members of the public
1. Apologies for Absence: Apologies were received from Cllr Mrs C. Evans
2. Minutes of Council Meeting on 9 January: The Minutes were agreed and signed as a correct record.
3. Planning: (Cllr. Thom)
a. Application 2007/364: Monread Lodge – major new single-storey building. The Architect from Cound Webber, accompanied by the Owner and Manageress, gave a full explanation of the building and the thinking underlying its structure. The Council had no objections to, and positively welcomed, the application.
b) Application 2007/213: 50 Carvers Croft – single-storey front and side extension. The Council had no objections to the application.
c) Application 2007/365: Chequers Inn – single-storey free standing Òsmoking shelterÓ at the front of the building. The Council objected to the proposal on the grounds that its appearance would be detrimental to the character of the building. Action: Clerk
d) 11 London Road – The Council noted that WHC had not replied to the ClerkÕs letter of 28th February and asked the Clerk to request a meeting with a Planning Officer. Action: Clerk
e) 11 Holly Road – The Council found it unbelievable that this application had been rejected by WHC Planning when it had already been agreed verbally by a Planning Officer, who had since left. Cllr. Watson agreed to arrange a meeting with the resident and the Clerk, prior to approaching WHC Planning. Action: Cllr Watson f) Petit Forestier Site, London Road – The Council noted that WHC had not replied to the ClerkÕs letter of 5th March, asking for an update on this site and asked the Clerk to request a meeting with a Planning Officer.
Action: Clerk
4. Meetings attended by Councillors: Cllr Watson had attended a Public Meeting arranged by WHC concerning the East of England Plan. Cllrs Collingridge and Watson had attended a Parishes Meeting at E. Herts D.C. Cllr Watson and the Clerk had attended a Borough, Town and Parish CouncilsÕ Meeting at WHC. Cllr Daniels had attended a meeting with Henry Cobbold Lytton and Peter Lowe to discuss the possibilities of relocating Chas Lowe & Sons. He had also had discussions with representatives of the Woolmer Green Sports & Social Club, who had offered to stage the Village Day this year.
5. Grounds: (Cllr Evans)
a) Cllr Watson announced that Groundwork Trust were now unable to proceed with their project.
b) Cllr Watson reported that there was no further progress concerning allotments.
c) Registration of Council Land – the Clerk reported that the Registry Office was still dealing with this matter.
d) Playground Inspections – Cllr Watson produced the new Inspection Report Forms prepared by Cllr Evans and stated that Cllr. Evans had agreed to carry out the first of the monthly inspections. The Council expressed its thanks to Cllr. Evans for a job well done. Action: Cllr Evans
6. Hall: (Cllr. Watson)
a) The Ball Court had now been renovated and Cllr Watson had taken the wood.
b) The curtains in the Hall had been very well repaired by Cllr Jane & David Thom and they were gratefully thanked by the Council.
c) The new tables had been ordered and should arrive soon.
d) The Council agreed that the necessary revisions to the Hall hiring rates should be agreed at a meeting between Cllr. Watson, the Clerk and the Booking Clerk. Action: Cllr Watson
7. Finance: (Cllr.Daniels)
The payments and Accounts for February had been circulated and were agreed.
8. Parish Plan: (Cllr. Daniels) Following the two meetings with parishioners, Cllr Daniels will now send a letter to all those, who had expressed a willingness to help, asking for them to submit ideas.
9. Publicity: (Cllr. Bryant) Nothing to report.
10. Environment & Transport: (Cllr. Collingridge)
a) Mardleybury Road Speed Limit: The new advisory speed signs were now in place and it was felt that these were having the effect of slowing the traffic.
b) Mardleybury Road Gas Mains: The Clerk reported that he had written to National Grid plc on 23rd January, but had received no reply. He would send a reminder. Action: Clerk
c) Footpath Map, Board & Leaflets: Cllr Collingridge is still working on this with the representative of Datchworth Parish Council.
d) Recycling Bins: Cllr Watson had asked Mr Durk Reyner to attend this meeting, but he had been unable to do so. It was agreed to invite him to the Annual Parish Meeting.
11. Computer: Cllr. Collingridge reported that the new computer was now installed in the Hall.
12. Pond: Cllr. Watson had circulated notes of a meeting with representatives of Hertfordshire Countryside Management Service and was now awaiting further advice from them.
13. Annual Parish Meeting: It was agreed that this meeting would take place at 8.00 p.m. on Tuesday, 24th April (see note below), and would include talks by Cllr. Daniels on ÒParish PlanÓ, Lydia Somerville on ÒClimate ChangeÓ and Durk Reyner on ÒRecyclingÓ. Further details would be agreed at the next Council meeting on 10th April.
14. Council Elections: The Council noted that Cllrs Daniels, Evans and Thom would not be standing for re-election and thanked them for their work for the village. The need for more prospective Councillors would be publicised in the Parish Newsletter.
15. Woolmer Green Sports & Social Club: The Council agreed to the conditions under which the Club would have access to the Hall shower rooms after football games on Saturdays.
16. Village of the Year Competition: It was agreed not to enter the competition this year, unless a volunteer could be found to organise the entry.
17. Next Meeting: Tuesday, 10th April, 2007.
Annual Parish Meeting: It was subsequently agreed to revert to the original planned date of 17th April.
AAE 19.03.07