Minutes of Meeting of Woolmer Green Parish Council
Held on Tuesday 9th September 2003

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

In attendance:   Mr Alan Edmonds (Clerk)       Mrs. L. Vincent (Minutes Secretary)
Mr Stuart Pittman, Director of Herts Association 4 Young People

                            Members of the public

1.      Apologies for absence: Received from Cllr. Mr. P. Kirk and Cllr. Mrs J Thom.

2.      The minutes of meeting held on 8th July 2003 were signed as a correct record.

3.      Matters arising from minutes.

i.        Pg 1: No. 7: The Emergency planning is still in progress.  A note will be put into the next Newsletter asking if there is anyone in village who has access to emergency equipment or are trained in nursing etc. and could help out in the event of an emergency.                                                                     Action: Clerk

ii.      Page 3: Letter will go out to all those people in village who have a business, asking for Sponsorship.                                                                          Action: Clerk

iii.     Page 4: New Accounts format: It was agreed that a separate sub committee, comprising the Chair, Cllr. Bryant and the Clerk, be formed to discuss the proposed formats and to report back to the Council.

4.      Presentation by Stuart Pittman, Director of Hertfordshire Association 4 Young People

Standing Orders were then suspended so that Stuart Pittman could provide details of his Association.  This is a County Association, a charity working in the Youth Sector amongst informal Group settings (i.e. not schools).  Stuart works amongst rural Youth Clubs, helping with new ideas, sports events and offering training.  It was suggested and agreed by Council that the best first approach would be to talk to the Youth of Woolmer Green, undertaking a consultation exercise, to discover what they need. 

Stuart was thanked for taking the time to come and discuss his project with the Council.

5.      ChairmanÕs report and meetings attended.

i.        Our MP, Melanie Johnson, came for a coffee morning, which went exceptionally well.

ii.      The Village Day did not go very well.  The main problem was that the person, who had offered to run it earlier in the year, decided that he couldnÕt and other people took exception and it rather escalated.  It is hoped that something better could be achieved next year.  It is vital that a committee be set up early to prepare for this event.

iii.     The Village Newsletter has taken off very well, with nearly a hundred subscribers. 

iv.     All the hard work that Enid and her colleagues have put in to producing the Village Welcome Pack has been very worthwhile and the Pack has been well received.

v.      There is to be a Fashion Show, run by John Lewis, in aid of Cancer Research, on 30th September in the Hall. 

vi.     Chair reported having attended the Committee meeting of Woolmer Green Pre-school at which it was decided that St MichaelÕs school would take over the running of the Group.

vii.   Chair had attended numerous meetings with District Council to try to put some order into the Garden Road Playground area, but these things take time.

viii.  Chair had met with a number of people regarding the Canadian Pondweed in the Village pond, culminating in a work party over the August Bank holiday to clear it out and District Council have only just cleared it away.  Thanks to all those who helped in clearing the pond.

ix.     A Hygiene and Safety Inspection was carried out in the Hall.  The only place that caused concern was the bar.  Dave Chell of Tornado was informed and asked to ensure it was not left dirty again.

x.       The Welwyn Lacrosse team had approached the Council to use the football pitch, but nothing has come of it yet.

xi.     Chair reported that she was unable to attend the AGM of the CPRE.

xii.    Chair had that afternoon attended a peer review meeting at Welwyn Hatfield Council.

6.      Village Hall Report (reported by Chair in absence of Cllr. Kirk):

i.        The upgrade to the Hall floor has been undertaken.  It had been suggested that Council invest in a proper cleaner.

ii.      The front door security has been improved.

iii.     The Hall has been used for an increasing number of weddings.  A couple of these have resulted in the Hall being left in a poor condition.  All were in agreement to increase the deposit amount required to £250 for wedding bookings.

7.      Grounds Report (Cllr. Evans):

i.        RoSPA inspection report: This risk assessment for play areas looks at the safety of the site, identifying any issues as a low, medium or high risk.  It was encouraging to see that nothing was reported as a high risk, needing immediate attention.  The fencing around the Garden Road playground was identified as a medium risk (which means the issue needs to be looked at when budget permits).  Copies of relevant bits need to be sent to District. Action: Chair

ii.      See-Saw replacement.  There is nothing in budget at this stage to sort out the problem with the See-Saw.

8.      Environment Report (Cllr. Bryant):

i.        Parish Paths Map: Congratulations were expressed to Enid on publishing the maps, which were now available. 

ii.      The Herts Local Access Forum meeting is to be held on 22nd September. 

iii.     Congratulations to Cllr. Watson on organising another successful pond clearance.

iv.     Haywains: Concern had been expressed regarding the state of the road around the new development in New Road, with the creation of potholes and an area of tar where stones used to be.  It had been agreed that the developers would return the road to its original state.

v.       Parish Plan: No progress to report.

vi.     Two seats at end of Hall Lane:  These seats used to be in the Jolly Garden area and were removed following complaints that Youths would congregate around these seats.  The seats have now been erected in Hall Lane near Strawplatters Close.

9.      Publicity (Cllr. Daniels):

i.        Information booklet: The information booklet is going well, Enid is replacing them and they are being well distributed.  It was agreed to look into the feasibility of Estate Agents advertising in the information pack Action: Cllr: Daniels

ii.      Village Newsletter: As reported in ChairmanÕs report, this is going well.

iii.     Village Website: A brochure was distributed amongst the Council of ÒThe Local ChannelÓ, which offers local parishes a free site, with the understanding that they could use the site for advertising.  All were in agreement that this be investigated further.  It is possible that there may be a grant available to help with this, and with broadband connections in the Hall, for example.  It was agreed by Council that this be pursued.    Action: Cllr: Daniels

iv.     Display of minutes: It was brought to the CouncilÕs attention that the Council Minutes were no longer on display in Knebworth Library.  All were in agreement that the Council Minutes should go on display in the Library, where there is a space allocated for this purpose.                                  Action: Clerk

10.   Planning (reported by Chair in absence of Cllr. Thom):

i.        Minutes of Planning meeting on 29th July 2003 were signed as a correct record.

ii.      Decision notices:  Council had received notice of a refusal from Welwyn Hatfield Council for the Golf Course at Mardleybury.  The change of category for the Barn has been accepted.

iii.     Conservatory at No 9 Haywains: Cllr. Bryant declared an interest, but Council had no objection to him making comments.  Council agreed to write letter pointing out that access across the field would need to be agreed.  They would also declare their concern regarding another conservatory that has been erected without planning permission.                                      Action: Chair

iv.     No 3, Broadfield Road:  No comment, but the Council was pleased with the amendment.

v.      Application 1156 for underground Swimming Pool at Mardleybury Manor:  Letter to be written indicating that as long as the existing listed building and historical setting is not compromised, Council had no objection to the proposed plans.                                                                            Action: Chair

11.   Finance (Cllr. Watson):

i.        Cllr. Bryant proposed, seconded by Cllr. Daniels that the payments made in July and August be accepted.  All were in agreement.

ii.      The accounts to date were unanimously approved, proposed by Cllr. Bryant and seconded by Cllr. Evans.

iii.     Approval of amended Financial Procedures: All Councillors were given a copy of the new procedures to take away and review. It was considered that they be reviewed by the finance sub-committee referred to in Min. 3iii.

iv.     Approval of Report to Auditors: For the purpose of completing the annual return to Auditors, the Chairmanship was temporarily passed to Cllr. Bryant, so that he could sign as Chair and Cllr. Watson could sign as the Responsible Financial Officer.  The form was completed and signed by them, and by the Clerk. 

Thanks were expressed to Ken Barker for all his help with this report.  It was agreed that he should be given a payment of £50 for the work.      Action: Chair

v.      Investment of Council Funds: At the last Council Meeting, it was agreed that Council Funds should be invested in Gilt Edge Stock, providing that District Council had no objections, which they did not.  Therefore £15,000 was used to purchase stocks.  9% interest will be received in two 6-monthly lump sums.

vi.     Budget for next year: The next Council Meeting will be a budget meeting, so Cllr. Watson will be preparing the proposed budgets in time for this meeting.

12.   Approval of Job Descriptions for staff: Cllr. Watson and the Clerk have been through these and all are complete.

13.   Correspondence received: None.

14.   Date of next meeting: Tuesday 11th November 2003.

15.   Any other business:

i.        Cllr. Daniels reported several complaints regarding the lighting in New Road.  County Council to be asked if anything can be done.                 Action: Cllr. Bryant

ii.      The Councillors training day had been cancelled and nothing has been heard regarding a replacement date.

iii.     The Village Policeman, Jitu Dave, had given Cllr. Watson a verbal report of the crime in the Village.  Only 45 incidents had been recorded in the area since the last report, 30 of these were of people driving off without paying at Lisles Garage.  This is a very encouraging report.

iv.     The Church has asked if the Council could donate a floral display to be displayed 27th September for their Festival weekend to raise money for new toilets.  There were no objections.

v.      A letter is to be sent to Melanie Hall, thanking her for all her hard work with the running of the Woolmer Green Nursery School.                   Action: Chair/Clerk

Mrs Linda Vincent
Minutes Secretary
Woolmer Green Parish Council                                                                         18th September 2003