Minutes of Meeting of Woolmer Green Parish Council

Held on 12 July 2005

 

Present: Cllr H Bryant (Chair), G Daniels, Cllr Mrs J Watson, Cllr Mrs C Evans,

   Cllr D Marriott, Cllr Mrs J Thom

 

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

of the Public

 

 

1.         Apologies for Absence: None.

 

2.         Minutes of Annual Parish Meeting on 14 June: These had been circulated and were signed as a correct record.

 

3.         Meetings Attended by Councillors: Cllrs Evans and Bryant attended a Police Meeting. Cllrs Watson and Daniels attended the Village of the Year award ceremony in Great Amwell.

4.         Cars Torched in Longmead: Cllr Bryant had been unable to contact PC Budd or WPC Wright as they were unavailable. The Community Support Officer is now receiving the list of events at the hall and visiting around 7pm when an event is in progress. She has asked the Council to keep a check on empty alcoholic cans/bottles which might indicate underage drinking. Cllr Watson is going to attend a police meeting on behalf of the HAPTC.

 

5.         Private Access to Council Land: No progress to report. The Clerk had sent reminders to those concerned.                                                                                                Action: Clerk

 

6.         Highways Dept Work: The Clerk had received no response and was asked to write again to Alan Clark. The grass verges near White Horse Lane were now quite overgrown and dangerous. Action: Clerk

 

7.         Hall Fabric and Transport: (Cllr Marriott)

a.     Two windows had been repaired.

b.     The rubbish door is working adequately now.

c.     A quote will be obtained for enlargement of the cupboard. Action: Cllr Watson

 

8.         Hall Management: (Cllr Watson)

a.     A quote of £1660 inc VAT for a new carpet had been obtained and, as this was exceptionally economical, the Council agreed not to obtain any further quotes.

b.     A TV licence for the hall had been obtained.

c.     The Council had received an e-mail from Lynda Macpherson who hired the hall on 25 June and had trouble with local youths after the party. The Clerk will write to the HAPTC for legal advice regarding what action can be taken. Private security was considered too expensive. However, ways were considered to utilize areas of the Village Hall grounds more. Cllr Evans reported that Hatfield had a very strong youth council and she would contact John Roper for more details. Local Democracy Week, planned for October may be a suitable opportunity to launch a youth council.

 

9.         Grounds: (Cllr Evans) Cllr Watson will remind the roundabout installation company to repair the broken strut. She had also identified someone who could maintain the equipment. Action: Cllr Watson

 

10.      Environment: (Cllr Bryant) Cllr Bryant reported that the footpath pillars near Lisles will be done, but not immediately. Chris James, the Environment Officer for Welwyn Hatfield Council will be contacted regarding pond maintenance. The litter bin situation remains as before

 

11.      Publicity (Cllr Daniels)

a.     Parish Plan: The questionnaire was in the last stages of refinement and would be sent out to households in the village shortly.

b.     Village of the Year: Woolmer Green had won the Business Category Award of the Hertfordshire Village of the Year 2005 competition. Cllr Marriott proposed a vote of thanks to Cllrs Daniels and Watson for all their hard work, which was seconded by Cllr Bryant and unanimously agreed. Letters would be sent to all local business to thank then. Cllr Daniels will receive the cheque on behalf of the village at a follow–up meeting.

c.     Website and Newsletter: The website has recently been overhauled with an automated log-on process and a journal-type front page. Councillors were requested to log-on and add their comments. A few copies of the newsletter would be delivered to the school each month for their information; Cllr Watson will add the school to the distribution list. Action: Cllr Watson

     

12.      Planning (Cllr Thom)

a.     Decision – N6/2005/483/FP, 65 Garden Road – approved on second application.

b.     Application - N6/2005/733/FP Redfield Interiors - change of use from shop into two 3-bedroom houses. The Council objected to the proposal because it would destroy the facility of a retail outlet which had existed for some 200 years, because it would represent an over-development of the site and because the car parking space was too limited. The Clerk will write to Welwyn Hatfield Council. Action: Clerk

c.     Application – N6/2005/787/AD Erection of 2 flagpoles at 22 London Road. No objection.

 

13.      Finance: Payments for June had been circulated; Cllr Marriott proposed they be agreed and Cllr Thom seconded this. The Accounts for April/June had been circulated; Cllr Daniels proposed they be agreed and Cllr Marriott seconded this. The Expenses Policy was adopted.

 

14.      Village Day: This was a superb day with many activities being enjoyed by all. Many congratulations were given to Cllr Watson for all her hard work, with additional thanks to Brian Bailey of Entech for the excellent advertising boards and to all others who helped. Digital pictures would be provided for the local paper and web site.

15.      New Licensing Laws: The Clerk and Cllr Watson will be attending a workshop to clarify these. The Parish Council need to be informed of the new licensing arrangements for the Red Lion. Action: Clerk

 

16.      Red Lion Public House – Police Incident Number: 1259, 11 June 2005. This will be added to Parish Incident Log.

 

17.      Tree Preservation Orders: (Cllr Watson) carried forward to the next meeting.

18.      Items for the Welwyn Hatfield Meeting with Parish and Town Councils: Cllrs Bryant, Marriott and Watson will attend on 5 September and submit the following items for discussion:

a.     Implementation of the Litter Act

b.     Clarification of discretionary grants

c.     Practical information for copying Hatfield’s successful youth council.

19.      Welwyn Hatfield Assn of Parish and Town councils: no further action.

 

20.      New Government Regulations re litter, parking and noisy neighbours: in abeyance until April 06.

21.    Nominations for Police “Community Safety Awards”: no nomination.

 

22.    Nominations for the CDA Board: no nomination.

23.    Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies advertising: Cllr Watson will advertise their booklet in the newsletter. Action: Cllr Watson

24.    Any Other Business:

a.     Cllr Watson’s letter regarding the review of electoral arrangements had been circulated, agreed and will be sent off.

b.     Entertainment Committee Insurance: The Entertainment Committee will be formalized as a Committee of the Parish Council so that it is covered under the Parish Council’s Insurance. Action: Clerk

c.     Following CPRE praise for Woolmer Green Welcome Pack, Cllr Daniels will update this and enquire about reprints. Action: Cllr Daniels

d.     Cllr Watson will attend a Planning Application feedback meeting: Councillors would like many points clarified regarding past planning decisions including: their unresponsiveness to local opinion, changes of policy and enforcement of a greater emphasis on style and character.

e.     Farmers’ Market: A further leaflet drop to a wider area was now needed to keep up interest. A permanent site for an advertising board would be sought, perhaps near the Red Lion. Action: Cllr Marriott

 

27.      Date of Next Meeting: Following the summer recess: Tuesday 13 September 2005.

 

Mrs Fiona Young, Minutes Secretary

Woolmer Green Parish Council