Cllr. Mrs J Thom
In attendance: Mr A Edmonds (Clerk) Mrs J Taylor (Minutes Secretary)
Members of the public
1. Apologies for Absence Apologies were received from Cllr Marriott
2. Minutes of Meeting Held 13th September 2005 The minutes had been circulated and were signed by the Chair as an accurate record.
3. Meetings Attended by Councillors Cllr Bryant attended a Planning Training Meeting at Welwyn Hatfield Council. Cllr Watson and Cllr Thom attended an Entertainment Committee meeting; this would be discussed further under agenda item 14. Cllr Watson attended a Police Seminar at County Hall and reported on the proposal that Hertfordshire police force might be merged with Essex and Bedfordshire forces, with policing focused into smaller areas to enable the service to be more relative to the local area. Cllr Watson also attended a Rights of Way seminar at the Village Hall and an Open Evening at the Police Headquarters that focused on forensic evidence and call centre operations.
4. Private Access to Council Land
The residents of Twin Foxes do not wish to use the gate and path, the fence will be repaired and a hedgerow planted to deter further vandalism. Cllr Watson had drafted a letter regarding permissive rights of way to be sent to solicitors acting for a resident of Wolvesmere. Action: Clerk
5. Highways Department Work:
The Clerk reported that repairs had been completed in Coltsfoot lane. The missing junction sign for New Road was still under investigation. Cllr Watson reported that she had received from Welwyn Hatfield Joint Members Panel a list of minutes relating to highway issues and agreed to ask for copies of those documents relevant to Woolmer Green.
Action: Cllr Watson
6. Hall Fabric and Transport (Cllr Marriott)
Cllr Watson reported that it had been necessary to replace a drainpipe due to vandalism. She had also arranged for the repair of the down pipe at the front of the hall.
7. Hall Management (Cllr Watson) Cllr Watson had received a quote for £980 to convert the storage cupboard to a metal roller door. It was agreed that there should be further investigation and Cllr Watson agreed to take the issue forward. Action: Cllr Watson
8. Grounds (Cllr Evans)
Cllr Evans advised the council that some non-urgent repairs have recently been identified to the play areas. The nets on the edge of the football pitch have been pulled down and the post broken by vandals, the council discussed options and agreed to repair the existing nets and post. The council has written to a resident in Wolvesmere regarding a broken fence panel as it protrudes onto the pathway to the hall and is a safety hazard. The fence has not yet been repaired. Action: Cllr Watson
9. Environment (Cllr Bryant)
Elaine Bryant has agreed to take over the upkeep of the planters. Cllr Bryant reported that a letter had been received from Grant Shapps MP regarding litter in the Spar shop area. Cllr Bryant has responded by explaining that the District Council have re-organised the litter bins in the village which could be the cause of the problem, and suggested that Mr Shapps directs the author of the complaint directly to the Parish Council to see if they can be of further help.
10. Publicity (Cllr Daniels)
a) Parish Plan - A favourable quote for the printing of the questionnaire had been received. The council agreed to fund. The Clerk agreed to order print run.
Action: Cllr Daniels/Clerk
b) Website - Cllr Daniels reported that the web site was running well and was up to date.
c) Welcome Pack - No further developments to report.
11. Planning Applications (Cllr Thom)
Red Lion Public House Ð application for smaller conservatory Ð no objections.
31 London Road Ð application for two storey rear extension Ð no objections.
Cllr Thom reported that she had contacted the Planning Department regarding the Beechwood Homes development, as it appeared that the building was some two feet further forward than planned, and was awaiting a response. As building work is advanced it was agreed to chase up the issue. Action: Cllr Thom
12. Finance
a) Payments and Accounts for September Ð these were circulated. Cllr Thom proposed they were signed and Cllr Evans seconded. The proposition was agreed.
b) Risk Analysis Ð this had been completed and was circulated. The analysis was discussed and it was agreed that the ROSPA assessment of the playground should be included along with reference to Parish Council grounds such as the Jolly Garden. The Risk Analysis was accepted subject to these amendments.
c) Budget 2006/07 Ð Items for future expenditure were discussed. Cllr Evans suggested play equipment items for 10 Ð 14 year olds; Cllr Daniels suggested skate board/cycle ramp; Cllr Thom put forward the need to renew the marking on the tennis courts; Cllr Watson suggested extending the planting in the middle of the hall car park to stop it being used as a race track. The Clerk asked for proposals to be sent to him for discussion at the next meeting.
Action: All Councillors
13. Tree Preservation Orders Ð Appointment of Tree Warden (Cllr Bryant)
Enid Fairhead had been approached regarding the role of Tree Warden. Enid had requested more information regarding duties. Action: Cllr Bryant
14. Entertainments Committee (Cllr Thom)
Cllr Thom had circulated minutes of the last meeting. Cllr Daniels queried the payment to the Royal British Legion. The payment will go ahead as apologies had been received for the LegionÕs absence at the Village Day. The next Village Day will be held on Sunday, 16th July.
15. Pond Committee (Cllr Watson)
Cllr Watson reported that several volunteers had come forward to sit on the Committee. The Committee needs to become a sub-committee of the Parish Council. It was agreed that this should happen and a meeting be arranged as soon as possible. Action: Cllr Watson
16. Farmers Market Leaflet Drop
It was agreed to carry this item forward to next meeting.
17. Welwyn Team Ministry Evening Ð Bishop of St Albans (Cllr Bryant)
Cllr Bryant reported that he had written to Reverend Alan Winton regarding lack of support for setting up a Friends of St MichaelÕs Church Group and had raised the question of a Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, and is now awaiting a response.
18. Holocaust Memorial Day Ð Jan 27 (Cllr Bryant)
No one able to attend.
19. Grant ShappsÕ Attendance at Parish Council Meeting (Cllr Bryant)
Cllr Bryant has written to Grant Shapps in response to a litter complaint (see item 9) and invited him to attend a meeting. Cllr Bryant also took the opportunity to enquire about secondary school transport for children in the village. Cllr Bryant is awaiting a response.
20. Village Calendar
Cllr Daniels reported that the calendar was ready for printing and had received a quote for printing. The meeting agreed that the printing should go ahead via the Clerk.
Action: Cllr Daniels/Clerk
21. Cricket Nets Proposal (Cllr Daniels/Cllr Watson)
Cllr Daniels reported that Mr Hazel has put forward a proposal to erect two practice cricket nets to the rear of the village hall. The project would be funded by Sport for England; however, permission to site the nets on Parish Council property was necessary. The Chair asked the proposer to provide a clear plan of the site, to include costs, insurance and a clear description of works for the Parish Council to consider at the next meeting.
22. Herts Minerals and Waste Development Framework (Cllr Watson)
To be progressed by Chairman.
23. Mardley Heath Management Plan (Cllr Watson)
The updated plan had been received from Welwyn Hatfield Council.
24. Any Other Business
a) Cllr Bryant raised the issue of the Parish Council becoming more aware of the workings of ASBOs. Cllr Watson reported that ASBOs had only been used so far in Town Centre areas of the Welwyn Hatfield District. It was agreed to close this issue in the interim.
b) Cllr Watson reported that she had been contacted regarding Community Service Volunteer Day Ð 29 October 2005. Cllr Evans suggested tidying the area around the hall.
c) Cllr Watson informed the meeting that Remembrance Sunday Service would be held on 13th November.
d) Cllr Watson reported that David Bond from the Police Headquarters had offered to talk regarding forensic policing methods. The council agreed that Mr Bond should be invited to the Annual Parish Meeting. Action: Cllr Watson
25. Next Meeting: The next meeting will be on 8th November, 2005.
Temporary Minutes Secretary
Woolmer Green Parish Council
Confidential