Minutes of Meeting of Woolmer Green Parish Council

Held on 13 September 2005

 

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

                       

 

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

                         of the Public

 

 

1.         Apologies for Absence: Cllr D Marriott, Cllr Mrs J Thom.

 

2.         Minutes of Annual Parish Meeting on 12 July: These had been circulated and were signed as a correct record. 

 

3.         Meetings Attended by Councillors:  Cllr Watson attended a District Council Seminar on Licensing, met with Chris James, the Environment Officer, about pond clearance, and met with Tom Goldsmith regarding Parish Paths.  Cllr Bryant will contact him again about footpath access.  Cllr Watson also attended a District Council meeting concerning enforcement of the litter act.  Cllr Daniels attended the Village of the Year award ceremony in Brickenden.                                                                                           Action: Cllr Bryant

 

4.         Private Access to Council Land:  The Twin Foxes Board of Directors will meet by 15 September to make a decision regarding this.  Cllr Watson reported Rights of Way on council land can be designated and filed with the Council and it was decided this would be done.  Thereby, residents of Wolvesmere would only be allowed access to council ground by concession.                                                                                              Action Cllr Watson

 

5.         Highways Dept Work:  The Clerk reported that he had now heard from the Highways Dept of HCC, who had stated that the missing junction sign for New Road on London Road was still being investigated; the ÒGive WayÓ markings for Longmead/Bridge Road and for Garden Road/New Road (2) would be refreshed in the next one or two months; the requested markings for Haywains/New Road were not considered necessary; the drainage ditch and corresponding grips on the bend of New Road will be cleared out in the next one or two months; the pedestrian crossing near Lisles is with the design team and has a commissioning date of April 2006. The bollards outside the Red Lion had now been replaced. The Clerk was asked to report that two streetlights were not working in New Road and that the road surface required attention at the junctions of Mardleybury Road/ White Horse Lane and White Horse Lane/Coltsfoot Lane.                        Action: The Clerk                                                                                         

 

6.         Hall Fabric and Transport: 

a.     New carpets had been laid and were completed under budget.

b.     The broken windows had been replaced and the lock repaired in the lounge.

c.     The fan had been fixed in the changing room.                                                                                                     

 

7.         Hall Management: (Cllr Watson) The Clerk had applied for the new licence with help from Bruno Hooker who supplied dyeline plans.  Both were thanked.

 

8.         Mr Michael Freeman, Research & Information Officer: Mr Freeman spoke to the council about his work  and explained how the Youth Council was set up and how members could be elected.  Promotional material for these election would be sent to the Parish Council to encourage local participation via school, website and text line. Mr Freeman was thanked for his interesting talk and assistance.

 

9.         Hall Grounds: (Cllr Evans) Cllr Evans reported that the roundabout was mended and Ken Wakenshaw was involved in monthly maintenance.                                                                              

 

10.      Environment:  (Cllr Bryant)

a.     Litterbins: Cllr Watson reported that the litterbins from Holly Road and opposite the Church, were removed by District Council as they were urgently needed elsewhere.  They would be replaced, however, by swapping bins from another part of the village where they are less used. 

b.     Litter pickers: A payment of £25 would be given to the 2 litter pickers to start a charitable fund of their choice. 

c.     Planters: Ken Hipgrave, who has looked after the two planters in the village for some 10 years, was no longer able to do so and the Council asked the Clerk to write and thank him for all his past hard work.  A replacement would be sought.                                                                                                                                           Action: The Clerk                                                                          

 

11.      Publicity (Cllr Daniels)

a.     Parish Plan:  The questionnaire was ready for printing and a quote had been received.  The Clerk will check for a better price.  Advertisement space was available on the back page to off-set costs.                                                                          Action: The Clerk

b.     Welcome Pack: Work was continuing on material to go inside the pack.

c.     Website: The website has been improved and messages can now be left on it.                                                                                                     

     

12.      Planning (Cllr Watson for Cllr Thom)

a.     Decision - N6/2005/540 The Red Lion had been refused the large conservatory, but was reapplying for a smaller conservatory, the Council had no objections.

b.     Decision - N6/2005/787 Flagpoles for Beachwood homes granted.

c.     Decision  - N6/2005/733/FP Redfield Interiors Ð refused on grounds of problems with cars exiting premises and loss of a retail unit.

d.     Application Ð N6/2005/1069 Boundary wall at Mardleybury Manor Ð no objections.

e.     Fox Public House Ð Cllr Watson had asked the District Enforcement Officer about the car park becoming a garden and he confirmed that no application had been made.

 

13.      Finance: Accounts for July had been circulated; Cllr Daniels proposed they be signed and Cllr Evans seconded this.  Accounts for August had been circulated and proposed by Cllr Daniels and seconded by Cllr Evans.  The replacement of the window at the south end of the hall was identified as a possible budget item for next year.

 

14.      New Licensing Laws:  In compliance with the new licensing, no music should now be audible outside the Fox Public House.                                                                                                    

 

15.      Tree Preservation Orders:  Cllr Evans will attend a Tree Wardens Meeting.  Cllr Bryant will enquire about a possible candidate to be the local tree warden.      Action: Cllr Bryant

 

16.      Entertainments Committee: This is now established as a sub-committee of the Council.  Its minutes and accounts will be presented to the Council.  The members are: Gordon Barker, Margaret Barker, Cllr Howard Bryant, Gitte Daniels, Sheila Rogers, Shirley Staniforth, Cllr Jane Thom, David Thom, Cllr Judith Watson and Jean Webber.

 

17.      FarmersÕ Market: Advertising leaflets would be handed to Councillors for local distribution.

18.      Boundary Commission: no further action.

19.      Welwyn Team Ministry Evening:  Cllr Bryant will write regarding setting up a Friends of St MichaelÕs Church Group and to raise again the question of a Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.                                    .                                                              Action: Cllr Bryant                                                                   

 

20.      Holocaust Memorial Day, 27 January:  Cllr Bryant might attend.

 

21.    Campaign for a New Bill to Empower Local Councils:  Cllr Watson thought this would involve a lot of complexity for the Council and it would be better to await the outcome and then join later if appropriate.

 

22.    Any Other Business:

a.     Grant Shapps has offered to attend a Parish Council Meeting and would be most welcome.  Cllr Bryant will contact him.                                           Action: Cllr Bryant                                                                   

b.     The East of England Plan is holding a series of open debates.  The Herts Association of Parish and Town Councils is speaking on our behalf; Cllr Watson is on the panel to decide what is said.

c.     Village Calendar:  A mock up of next yearÕs Calendar has been prepared and a list of pre-sale orders noted.  The calendars could be sold on Sunday mornings outside the Lisles Garage, at the WI, St Michaels School and Mothers and Toddlers group etc.

 

23.      Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday 11 October 2005.

 

Mrs Fiona Young, Minutes Secretary

Woolmer Green Parish Council

 

PART II

 

24.    Review of Salaries of the Morning Caretaker and Parish Clerk

 

CONFIDENTIAL