Minutes of Meeting of Woolmer Green Parish Council

Held on 10 May 2005

 

Present:   Cllr. H. Bryant (for Mins. 2 & 3), Cllr G Daniels (Acting Chair), Cllr Mrs J Watson, Cllr Mrs C Evans, Cllr Mrs J Thom, Cllr D Marriott

 

In attendance: Mr A Edmonds (Clerk), Mrs F Young (Minutes Secretary), Members

of the Public

 

1.         Apologies for Absence: Received from Cllr Bryant for part of the meeting.

 

2.         Election of Chairman and Declaration of Acceptance of Office as Chairman: The Clerk asked for nominations for the Chairman for next year. Cllr Daniels proposed Cllr Bryant and this was seconded by Cllr Marriott. There were no further nominations and the vote was unanimous.

 

3.         Election of Vice-Chairman: The Clerk asked for nominations for Vice-Chairman. Cllr Watson proposed Cllr Daniels and this was seconded by Cllr Thom. There were no further nominations and the vote was unanimous

 

4.         Acceptance of Office by Councillors and Declarations of Interest: Cllr Bryant and Cllr Daniels were pleased to accept their office. Declarations of Interest had not changed from last year and the forms will be re-signed and dated.

 

5.         Appointment of Councillors to outside bodies: Cllr Evans will continue to represent the council on Welwyn District Road Safety Committee. Cllr Watson will continue to represent the council on the HAPTC Committee.

 

6.         Responsibilities of Councillors: This would be deferred to next month and remain as at present until then. Cllr Watson stated the legal documents for the Village Hall were available for public view and were stored at Howe Roche and Waller Solicitors, High St, Stevenage.

 

7.         Minutes of Council Meeting on 8 March 2005: Signed as a correct record.

 

8.         Matters Arising from Minutes: Mr Wilde had been unable to donate planters for the hall.

 

9.         Minutes of Annual Parish Meeting on 12 April 2005: These would be circulated soon.

10.      Meetings Attended by Councillors: Cllr Thom attended the Joint Highways Meeting and reported the central bollard to facilitate crossing near Lisles Garage was going ahead after negotiations with Lisles over tankers’ turning space. Cllr Watson attended the launch of the Police Plan and was able to gain a greater response from the police for village issues. The Community Development Agency held a successful Village Hall training event attended by Cllr Watson. Cllr Watson also represented the council at the funeral of Lib Dem District Cllr Dan Crooks. Cllr Evans reported the Welwyn Road Safety Committee had asked her to identify a major danger-spot in the village and it was agreed the junction of New Road with London Road should be put forward.

 

 

11.      Private Access to Council Land: The Clerk reported all but one had signed the proposed agreement. The last one had asked the Clerk to contact his solicitor, which the Clerk had done. It was agreed that the Clerk also ask the Twin Foxes estate to sign a similar agreement.                                                                                                 Action: Clerk

 

12.      Highways Dept of HCC: The curbs have now been lowered outside Lessiters and Cawdors. Cllr Watson asked the Clerk to find out when the verges near the railway bridge would be reinstated after the drainage work. Action: Clerk

A member of the public pointed out the grass verges near Broadfield Road had not been cut. These would be inspected and the District Council informed.

Action: Clerk, Cllr Watson

13.      PPP: Deferred to next month.

 

14.      Hall Fabric:(Cllr Marriott)

a.     Repair of table was in progress.

b.     A handyman to enlarge a cupboard would be contacted by Cllr Watson and the budget
of £500 was deemed sufficient for this work. Action: Cllr Watson

 

15.      Hall Management: (Cllr Watson) A quote for new carpeting for the lounge and committee room would be obtained. Action: Cllr Watson

16.      Grounds: (Cllr Evans) There was continuing youth activity in the grounds. An inspection of play area equipment would be due soon.

17.      Publicity: (Cllr Daniels)                      

a.     The Parish Plan: The Parish Plan was ready for analytical processing and a meeting was arranged for 25 May for those involved. Cllr Watson agreed to contact members of the public who had expressed an interest. Action: Cllrs Watson, Evans, Daniels.

b.     Village Day: Cllr Watson was pleased to report the receipt of the Lottery fund grant of £3,500 to spend on entertainment and decoration. She had also managed to obtain an aerial dog-fight and stationery for the day cost free. Further arrangements would be made at the Entertainment Committee meeting on 13 May.

 

c.     Website: Cllr Daniels reported he had updated the website to include the Farmers Market details, local services, courses run at the village hall and adverts from the forthcoming newsletter.

 

18.    Planning: (Cllr Thom)

a.     Decisions: N6/2005/188/FP, Single Storey to enlarge St Michael’s School Staff Room had been approved.

b.     Decisions: N6/2004/1663/FP, 24 & 22 London Road, had also been approved as it was not deemed to be detrimental to the neighbourhood.

c.     Applications N6/2005/483/FP, 65 Garden Road, a narrower extension had now been proposed which was deemed acceptable.

 

19.      Finance: The Clerk had circulated the accounts for the last year. These were agreed and the Clerk was thanked. The accounts for April had also been circulated and these were also agreed..

 

20.      Young Villagers: (Cllr Watson) Cllr Watson proposed a meeting be arranged with youngsters without interested police presence to encourage mutual dialogue. An agenda would be arranged to include input from the youths. Action: Clerk, Cllrs Watson, Marriott

 

21.    Report on St Georges Day: (Cllr Watson) The day was a great success with much publicity and many letters of appreciation having been received. Cllr Watson was thanked for her hard work and congratulated for the enjoyable day.

           

22.      Book of Woolmer Green: (Cllr Watson) Beechwood Homes had bought 19 books to place in the newly built properties. Sales of books were also made at the Farmers Market.

 

23.      Farmers Market: (Cllr Marriott) The first Farmers Market had proved a great success and provided a valuable service to the local community as well as bringing in a healthy profit. Cllr Marriott was thanked and congratulated.

24.    Village of the Year Competition: (Cllr Daniels) The entry forms had been submitted and the judging will take place 2^nd week in June. A litter-pick would be organised for the weekend before and the church grass cutter notified. Action: Cllr Daniels

25.    Theatre in the Villages: (Cllr Watson) A touring company is willing to put on plays in local village halls. However, available dates at the Woolmer Green Village Hall may prove a problem.

26.    Any other Business:

a.     There will be an Open Day at the Herts Archives this Saturday.

b.     The HAPTC had asked for comments on rural policing.

c.     Cllr Watson will attend a County Council meeting on schools transport.

d.     Two litter bins have disappeared and Cllr Watson agreed to contact the appropriate
department. Action: Cllr Watson

e.     The Clerk was asked to write to congratulate Grant Shapps on his parliamentary
election and thank him for his support on St. George’s Day. Action: Clerk

 

27.    Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday 14 June 2005

 

Mrs Fiona Young, Minutes Secretary

Woolmer Green Parish Council