Cllr.
Mrs C Evans Cllr.
Mr P Kirk
Cllr.
Mrs J Thom
In attendance: Mr A Edmonds (Clerk) Mrs
J Taylor (minutes)
Members
of the public
1. Introduction of Clerk, Alan Edmonds, to Councillors
2. Apologies for Absence Apologies were received from Cllr. Bryant.
3. Minutes of Meeting held on 13th May 2003 The minutes were agreed to be an accurate record and were signed off by the chair.
4. Matters Arising from the Minutes of 13th May 2003
Item
11: Cllr. Watson reported that she had not
contacted the Youth Service yet.
The decision was made to invite a representative from Hertfordshire
Association 4 Young People to the next committee meeting. Action:
Clerk
5. Minutes of Annual Parish Meeting Ð 28th March 2003
The minutes were agreed for accuracy and signed off by the Chair.
6. Matters Arising from the Minutes Ð 28th March 2003
Cllr. Watson had contacted the Welwyn Times regarding Council Tax Resolution.
.
7. ChairÕs
Report & Meetings Attended, incl Ratification of Representation on Welwyn
Hatfield Standards Committee
Meetings attended: The chair reported that she had attended the annual meeting of Welwyn Hatfield District Council and the Hertfordshire Association of Parish and Town Councils (formerly Herts Association of Local Councils), where two presentations were given one on HESMIC (emergency planning) and one on Secondary School Transfers. All parish councils are required to submit an emergency plan. It was agreed that Cllr. Watson and Alan Edmonds would complete and present to the next parish council meeting.
Action:
Chair and Clerk
Welwyn Hatfield Standards Committee: The Council agreed to nominate Cllr. Watson as representative on Welwyn Hatfield Standards Committee.
Village
of the Year: The Chair along with Steve Davis,
Shirley Staniford, Joy Nicolson and Enid Fairhead welcomed the judges at the
Village of the Year Competition and the Chairman, together with Pam Norris and
John Elsom, attended a presentation ceremony at County Hall. Woolmer Green was
presented with a commendation in the Business Category. John Elsom received the JudgeÕs special
award for service to the community and was presented with a rose bowl and a
certificate. Cllr. Daniels agreed
to prepare a thorough presentation for next yearÕs competition. It was agreed that a letter be sent
to all businesses in Woolmer Green to communicate this achievement and thank
them for their help. Action:
Chair and Clerk
8. Halls Report: Cllr. Kirk
a) Upgrade to the hall floor Ð Roger Hyde will be renovating the floor between the 15th Ð 17th August 2003. The hall would be out of use for four days following the completion of the work.
b) Front door security Ð following permission received by the Fire Service, the security of the front door will now be improved by Jobs to Do.
c) Morning Caretaker Ð Madeleine Gregory has taken up this post.
9. Grounds Report: Cllr. Evans
a) RoSPA Inspection Report: This report has not yet been received.
b) See-saw Upgrade (Garden Road Park): The see-saw has come to the end of its useful life; replacement play equipment has been investigated to attract younger children to this play area. A roundabout or similar equipment seemed popular with young children. A roundabout will cost approximately £3,000, smaller spinning mushrooms and disks were priced around £300 - £500. There would not be sufficient funds available to cover the cost of upgrading from that allocated in the budget. Other options for funding include a possible grant, fund raising or a charge per household (this option would only be possible with agreement of the residents). A request for sponsorship from local companies will be included in the letter to businesses regarding the commendation in the Village of the Year competition. It was agreed to defer this item until the RoSPA report has been received.
Action:
Cllr. Evans, Chair and Clerk
c) Proposed Speed humps for the Car Park Jitu Dave had passed information relating to speed humps onto Cllr. Watson. After discussion it was agreed that these were expensive and were unlikely to stop the nuisance.
10 Environment Report Cllr. Watson
Hertfordshire Highways propose the following work during the coming year:
Pedestrian Crossing Upgrade Ð Representatives were coming to look at the crossing
Mardleybury Road Ð Carriageway resurfacing
Mardleybury Road Ð Footway maintenance
Mardley Hill Ð Drainage repair
The issue of another pedestrian crossing has been delayed until next year.
The ditch in the road by the Jolly Garden is scheduled to be filled in, in two weeks time
The issue of the lay
by and bus stop was queried. Cllr.
Watson reported that a letter had been received from the Highways Agency saying
that the bus stop will not be moved.
11. Publicity Cllr.
Daniels
a) Information Booklet: Cllr. Daniels reported that he will be meeting with Enid Fairhead shortly to discuss the distribution and will report back at the next meeting. It was agreed that an official launch of the booklet would be scheduled for 7.00 p.m. before the next meeting. Action: Cllr. Daniels
b) Village Newsletter: This had been distributed to all houses in the village. The first walk will take place on the 19th July.
c) Village Website: Steve Davis reported that the website is interactive and needs
people involvement. The number of
visitors to the site had risen after the distribution of the village newsletter
but previously was very low. Cllr.
Watson reported that at the Village of the Year Competition interaction with
surrounding villages was an important issue. Funding for the website was discussed and Steve Davis was
requested to send an invoice for his work in to the Council. Cllr. Watson reported that a grant
might be available from CDA. Cllr.
Daniels agreed to complete and send in an application. Action:
Cllr. Daniels
On behalf of the council the Chair expressed thanks to Mia Cater and Steve Davis for their enthusiasm in setting up these communication channels for the village.
12. Planning Cllr. Thom
a) Minutes of meeting held on 27th May 2003: These minutes were agreed and signed by the Chair, the Clerk and Cllr. Thom after an addendum was added.
b) Decision notes on applications 404, 405: Welwyn Hatfield Council had passed both these.
c) Planning Application 776 for extension to side of 3 Broadfield Road: Cllr. Thom circulated the plans for the double storey extension for comments. It was agreed that there were features that could be improved to ensure the extension is in keeping with the existing roadscape. Cllr. Thom and Cllr. Watson agreed to make further investigation regarding planning policy. Action: Chair and Cllr. Thom
d) Result of enquiry into flats on the Nigel Jones site: There was no further news to report.
Mardleybury Farm: Cllr. Thom reported that Mr Wallace had submitted revised plans which showed a reduction in parking area width and details of tree screening. It was agreed that the revised plans be approved and the previous objection withdrawn.
Action: Cllr. Thom
Mardleybury Manor: An application had just been received for change of use of an disused paddock to a golf course for personal use only. Cllr. Thom circulated plans. It was decided to defer any decision until the next meeting.
There was further discussion
regarding planning notices not being promptly displayed by Welwyn Hatfield
Council. The Clerk agreed to email
District Council to enquire when notices should be displayed. Action: Clerk
13. Finance Cllr. Watson
i) Agreement to payments made in May and June: Agreed and accepted.
ii) Approval of accounts to date: The accounts were approved. Proposed by Cllr. Thom and seconded by Cllr. Kirk.
iii) Proposal for new accounts format: This item was deferred due to Cllr. BryantÕs absence.
iv) Parish Audit : update: The accounts for 2001- 2 have been approved by the auditors. The 2002-3 accounts must be ready for audit on 12 September 2003.
There was some discussion regarding changing bank accounts due to poor interest rates with current bank. The Clerk reported that he had made some investigations and a Treasury Stock Investment had preferential interest rates and was available to organisations such as the Parish Council. The Clerk made a recommendation for the Parish Council to invest in Treasury Stock. This was agreed subject to obtaining the views of Bob Jewel at WHDC.
Action: Clerk
14. Report from Community Policeman Cllr. Watson reported that although Jitu Dave was unable to attend tonightÕs meeting he had conveyed that he had at present little to report. The main complaints he has received are from Garden Road residents relating to scooters being driven around and causing a nuisance. Cllr. Watson circulated an excerpt from the Knebworth Parish News, a report written by the new Village Policeman for Knebworth, Pc Jon Vine. The report highlighted a difference in the approach between village policing, Pc Vine indicates that he will arrest any youth who is seen committing an offence. It was agreed that the excerpt should be shown to Jitu Dave for comment Cllr. Watson also agreed to contact our Community Team. Action: Chair
15. Job Descriptions for staff Cllr. Watson reported that these were almost complete.
16. Village Day Cllr. Watson reported that this was an opportunity for residents to socialise and was not intended to be a fund raising event. Events will include ferret racing, tug of war, some stalls and possibly some childrenÕs races. The bar will be run by Tornado, there will be a hog roast and the W.I. will provide tea and biscuits.
17. Senior School Transfers
Cllr. Evans reported that the secondary school
transfers for year 6 children at St Michaels have now been resolved
satisfactorily. However, Cllr.
Evans reported from a copy of the letter received after appeal from
Hertfordshire Children, Schools and Families that the present system of
allocation was not working for Woolmer Green and the matter would be addressed
for Year 6 children in 2005. There
was still no further news regarding a ÔpriorityÕ girlsÕ school for the village.
17. Merger of Nursery with School Cllr. Watson reported that this would be going ahead. Cllr. Watson suggested that one of the Councillors stand to join the steering committee.
18. Date of Next Meeting 7.45 p.m. - 9th September 2003 at the Village Hall. (The launch of the Information Booklet will be held at 7.00 p.m.)
19. A.O.B Cllr. Watson reported two meetings that a representative had been invited to attend:
- State of the District Debate Ð 16 July 2003: Cllr. Watson to attend
- District & Town Planning Council Meeting Ð 17 July 2003. Cllr. Watson to attend.
Cllr. Watson reported that a document called Ethical Framework Rates needed to be read. Cllr. Daniels agreed to download the document. Action: Cllr. Daniels
Temporary Minutes Secretary
Woolmer Green Parish Council