Cllr. Mr D Marriott Cllr. Mrs J Thom
In attendance: Mr A Edmonds (Clerk) Mrs J Taylor (Minutes Secretary)
Members of the public
1. Apologies for Absence
There were no apologies for absence.
2. Resignation of Councillor/New Councillor
Following the resignation of Cllr. Kirk in May 2004, Mr Dave Marriott was co-opted onto the Council at an Extra Meeting on the 29th June 2004. The Clerk informed the meeting that Cllr. Marriott had signed the relevant forms.
3. Minutes of Meeting held on 11th May 2004
A number of minor amendments were made to the official copy of the minutes, which were then agreed to be an accurate record and were signed by the Chair.
4. Minutes of Extra Planning Meeting held on 29th June 2004
The minutes were agreed and signed by the Chair.
5. Matters Arising from the Minutes of 11th May 2004
Item 6 Responsibilities of Councillors Ð There was discussion regarding who would take over the responsibility for the Hall from Cllr Kirk. It was agreed that Cllr Bryant and Cllr Watson should meet with the Clerk to discuss this issue.
Action: Cllr Bryant to arrange meeting
Item 10. ii Pedestrian Crossing Ð Cllr. Watson had nothing new to report on this issue.
Item 10. iii Private Access to Council Land Ð The Clerk reported that letters had now been sent to the residents concerned.
Item 10. iv High Kerbs outside Cawdor and Lessiters Ð The Clerk had nothing new to report on this issue, but will continue to follow up.
Action: Clerk to follow up
Page 2 Neighbourhood Watch Ð The meeting had been held on the 17th May. A further meeting has been arranged for Friday 16th July at 7.30. A team leader for the volunteers is required. Cllr. Watson proposed that a letter of thanks be sent to John Roper for his hard work and effort at setting the Neighbourhood Watch scheme up.
Action: Chair to draft letter of thanks
Item 13. iv Broken Washbasin in Hall Ð Cllr Watson reported that the washbasin has now been repaired at the cost of £160. Cllr. Watson is pursuing compensation for the damage from the Hertfordshire Football Association.
Item 14. ii Garden Road Playground Ð Cllr Evans reported that the Òno foulingÓ notices had been put up.
Item 14 iii Hedgerow Ð The hedgerow to the rear of Garden Road has no owner at present and should therefore be maintained by the District Council.
Item 15. i PPP Update Ð Not yet available.
Item 15. ii Litter Picking Ð Not yet progressed.
Item 19. H.A.P.T.C. Committee Ð Cllr. Watson has been elected and has attended a meeting.
6. ChairmanÕs Report and Meetings Attended
The Chair had accepted an offer from Jack Webber to show him around the lesser known part of the Parish and its history.
The Chair was invited to attend the Welwyn Hatfield District Council AGM on the 28th June. This was an opportunity to meet with the new Chairman, Vice Chairman and the leader of the Tory group as well as some of the Welwyn Parish CouncillorÕs who expressed a desire to work together with this Council in areas of common interest.
On the 12th July, the Chair met with PWC Gerry Wright, the current community police representative. It is hoped that there could soon be some additional police resource in the area; in the meantime, she undertook to patrol Woolmer Green at least once a week if possible.
Meetings Attended:
Cllr. Evans and Cllr. Thom had attended the Welwyn District Road Safety Committee. This is a forum to highlight road safety hotspots. It was suggested that height of the kerbs outside Cawder Stone Gallery could be taken to this committee. Cllr. Evans reported that the committee had produced an article for the Welwyn Parish Magazine that they could email to Woolmer Green Parish Council.
Action: Cllr. Evans/Cllr. Thom to take forward issue of kerb height
Cllr. Watson had attended the Welwyn Hatfield Association of Local Councils on 20th May 2004.
Cllr. Watson had attended the C.D.A meeting at Cottered on the 23rd June 2004, to discuss Parish Plans and making your village work.
Cllr. Watson attended the H.A.P.T.C meeting on 26 June 2004.
Cllr. Watson and the Clerk attended the meeting on the 1st July 2004 when the Village of the Year Awards were announced.
The Chair asked if a rolling calendar could be produced to ensure Councillors are aware of forthcoming meetings.
Action: Clerk
7. Halls Report: (Cllr. Watson)
a) Tornado Agreement Ð A contract had been drawn up between Tornado and the Council for the running of the bar. This had now been signed by the Clerk and the owner of Tornado.
b) Hall Floor Ð Cllr. Watson had received complaints from the Thursday Badminton Section that the floor was too slippery. The item was discussed and it was agreed that Cllr. Watson or the Councillor that takes over responsibility for the Hall would investigate the possibility of a solution otherwise it was agreed a disclaimer should be put up in the hall.
Action: Cllr. Watson to investigate
8. Grounds Report: (Cllr. Evans)
a) Garden Road Playground Ð The ROSPA risk assessment had been received and had reported that the playground was medium risk. The swing seats (that will need replacing in the near future) and the surface below the equipment were items that were highlighted in the assessment. There has been some damage to the new roundabout, this was still under guarantee and is being looked into. The area is in need of tidying up. Trees in the area should be monitored for safety. It was agreed that a report should be produced.
Action: Cllr Evans to prepare report
b) Drain
Cllr Watson reported that the two drains near the main entrance to hall needed clearing and this would have to be done by a private contractor.
Action: Clerk to investigate
9. Environment Report: (Cllr.Bryant)
a) Reply from PPP - This item was discussed earlier in the meeting Ð see matters arising.
b) Litter Picking Session Ð the Chair had written a page for the Welwyn Parish Magazine that will not now be published until September as the magazine is not published in August.
Action: Agenda item next meeting
c) Light Pollution Leaflets - Cllr Watson reported that these leaflets had been produced by Hertfordshire County Council. The leaflets were discussed and it was agreed to put a link on the parish web site and to add this item to the newsletter.
Action: Cllr. Watson & Cllr. Daniels
d) Junction of New Road Ð Cllr. Watson has received the specifications for new road junctions from Hertfordshire Highways. The junction does not meet the specification and this could be used in any future complaints, although Hertfordshire Highways pointed out that these specifications could not be used retrospectively.
e) Grass between Knebworth and Monread Lodge: Cllr Watson highlighted an article in the recent Herts Direct Magazine, in which Derek Ashley had commented on the excellent state of the grounds in Hertfordshire. Cllr Watson has emailed Derek Ashley regarding the overgrown grounds between Monread Lodge and Knebworth and he has replied stating that he will investigate.
10. Publicity (Cllr. Daniels)
a) Parish Plan: Cllr. Daniels undertook to produce a draft plan to all Councillors by Mid August. Knebworth have had their application for a Parish Plan Grant turned down.
Action: Cllr. Daniels
b) Web Site: The Web Site had been updated today. Contact details for booking the village hall need to be added to the site, along with Parish Walks and the Newsletter.
Action: Cllr. Daniels
c) Village of the Year: Woolmer Green won the Business Category of Village of the Year and received a £50 prize. The judges felt that the village should have entered the Young PeopleÕs Category. The results will be posted on the Web Site.
Action: Cllr. Daniels
11. Planning: (Cllr. Thom)
a) Application 18 London Road Ð This was a resubmission of plans. No Comment.
b) Application 24 London Road Ð Beechwood Homes applied for planning permission to build 1 bungalow and 6 flats. Copies of the plans were available.
The Chair suspended the meeting at this point to take specific comments regarding the plans from the members of the public present. Members of the public thought that the planned site was congested and over developed. A resident from 22 London Road raised the issue that there had been an agreement to allow side access into the rear garden which was not shown on the plans. The Chair reconvened the meeting.
A member of the public who resides at 22 London Road reported that, due to the derelict nature of the site fences, panels to their property had been damaged, the perpetrators had entered her rear garden and caused damage in the garden including damage to a greenhouse. This had been reported to the police. The Council agreed to ask WHC to request Beechwood Homes to secure the site as soon as possible.
Action: Clerk
Cllr. Thom reported that the applications for 3 Haywains, Mardleybury Farm House, and 13 Bridge Road had all been passed.
Welwyn Hatfield District Plan: (Cllr. Watson)
The plan has not been amended to allow building on Mayshades or London Road (between Monread House and Knebworth).
12. Finance
a) Payments made in May and June: Agreed.
b) April/June Accounts: The accounts were approved. Proposed by Cllr. Watson and seconded by Cllr. Bryant. The Chair asked if a cashflow budget could be included in the accounts and the Clerk stated that this could be done. The Chair commended the Clerk for the work on the total accounts.
Action: Cllr. Watson and Clerk to meet to set up cashflow budgetting
c) Resolution to transfer the role of Principal Finance Officer from Cllr. Watson to the Clerk Ð This was proposed by Cllr. Watson, seconded by Cllr. Thom and agreed by the Council..
d) Standing Orders and Financial Regulations: Due to the above resolution the financial regulations needed changing. The Council approved the changes Ð proposed by Cllr. Bryant seconded by Cllr. Evans.
e) Certificate of Insurance (Cllr Watson)
Cllr. Watson confirmed that the certificate of insurance had been received.
d) Internal Audit: (Cllr. Watson) Ð The Internal Auditor had commented that the pay rise to the cleaner and caretaker needed to be specific rather than in line with inflation. A pay rise of 3% will be substituted.
13. Computing in the Community (Clerk)
The Clerk reported that although the last course was very successful, the C.D.A is unable to fund any more training and, therefore, no more courses are scheduled.
14. Village Day (Cllr. Thom and Cllr. Watson)
The Village Day will be held on Sunday 12th September and is due to start at approximately 2.30 p.m. Events taking place during the afternoon will include:
o Demonstration from existing hall users
o Fun races Ð children
o Various stalls
o Refreshments including a bar and tea/biscuits
o Outside catering
It was hoped to run an auction of promises but donations/promises have not been forthcoming. The Chair suggested a 50/50 auction. Cllr. Thom and Cllr. Watson will advise whether this will run in the next newsletter.
15. Meeting with Young Villagers (Chair):
The Chair, the Clerk and Cllr. Watson met with 5 young people from the village. The meeting was very successful. Seating for young people was discussed and is now sited under the canopy of the Village Hall where the seat will remain permanently providing young people do not become a nuisance to users of the Hall. The group will meet once per quarter. The young people requested lights under the canopy and a rail to chain the scooters to for security. The Council agreed to provide these items.
Action: Cllr. Watson
16. Correspondence Received :
Cllr. Watson reported that a Councillor from East Herts District Council had passed a statistical census report to her that is produced in that district. The report included various statistics regarding the upkeep of the parishes within the District. Cllr. Watson will approach the Ward Councillor to ask for similar information.
Action: Cllr. Watson
Cllr. Watson had received a letter from Cawdor asking to borrow tables and chairs for a schools geology session. The items had now been loaned and returned.
17. Any Other Business
St MichaelÕs Church:
Cllr. Thom reported that the Benefice of Welwyn and Woolmer Green with Ayot St Peter would be joining up with the parishes of Datchworth and Tewin to become a team ministry.
The Rev.Coralie McCluskie, the present Curate, has been asked to take up the post of Team Vicar designate and will relocate to the vicarage in Datchworth. A new Curate will be appointed in September. The Rev. Alan Winton will be the new Team Rector.
The meeting was closed.
Woolmer Green Parish Council 29th July, 2004.