Minutes of Meeting of Woolmer Green Parish Council
Held on Tuesday 11th November 2003

Present:              Cllr. Mrs. J. Watson (Chair)           Cllr. Mr. P. Kirk
Cllr. Mr. G. Daniels                        Cllr. Mrs J. Thom

In attendance:   Mr Alan Edmonds (Clerk)       Mrs. L. Vincent (Minutes Secretary)
Members of the public

1.      Apologies for absence: Received from Cllr. Mr. H. Bryant and Cllr. Mrs C. Evans.

2.      The minutes of meeting held on 9th September 2003 were signed as a correct record.

3.      Matters arising from minutes.

i.        Council had held off sending letters out to business in Woolmer Green, asking for sponsorship, as there has been a promise of sponsorship for new playground equipment from Mr Groom, a businessman in Woolmer Green.

ii.      Nothing further had been heard yet from Stuart Pittman, Director of Herts Association 4 Young People, who attended the last meeting.

iii.     The fashion show held on 30th September went extremely well.  Cllr. Watson declared that she won the raffle held at the show; the prize was £50 of John Lewis vouchers.

iv.     There is a meeting at the beginning of December, when the issue of the potholes around Haywains will be discussed.

v.      The Council minutes are now on display in the library at Knebworth.

vi.     Council did two floral displays for the church entrance on 27th September for their Festival weekend to help raise money for the new toilets.

4.      ChairmanÕs report and meetings attended.

i.        Congratulations were expressed to Howard and Elaine Bryant on the birth of their daughter, Jessica.

ii.      Chair reported the sad news of the death of Michael Loader. Michael was a Parish Councillor on Welwyn Parish Council and both he and Chair started there together which was really the beginning of Woolmer Green having its own Parish.

iii.     As a member of the Standards Board Committee on Welwyn Hatfield Council, Chair attended a meeting on 11th September. Chair also attended the Community Development Conference at Knebworth Barns on 17th September when they announced their Rural Strategy (agenda item). This is a very useful networking meeting and Chair met a number of people who can help including Terry Catlin who is putting on the Computing in the Community Courses in the hall starting at the beginning of January.

iv.     The Parish Council was invited to provide two flower displays for the Church Festival and Chair and Cllr. J Thom each did one for the porch Ð they were much admired and a photograph of Cllr. ThomÕs appears in this monthÕs Welwyn Parish Magazine. The church is now well on its way to achieving the target funds required  for the toilet block and building has already started.  Chair was unfortunately unable to attend the Church Harvest Supper held in this hall but Jane and David Thom represented the Council.

v.      Chair had a meeting with District Councillor, Julie Cragg and County Councillor, Richard Smith. Chair attended the Civic Service for the Chairman of Welwyn Hatfield Council held at St. MaryÕs Church in Welwyn.

vi.     Chair met with Chris James, Welwyn Hatfield Environmental Officer regarding the hedge/fence at the Garden Road playground and with Peter Garrett regarding Parish Paths Partnership and the possibility of a gate/stile at the Mardleybury Footpath.

vii.   Chair attended and laid a wreath at the Remembrance Day service at the War Memorial. Thanks were expressed to Cllrs. Bryant, Thom and Kirk for turning out for this event and to Cllr. Daniels and Cllr. Evans for sending apologies. It was nice to have the QueenÕs representative there, this being Kevin Fitzgerald who is Deputy Lord Lieutenant of the County.

5.      Village Hall Report (Cllr. Kirk):

i.        Floor covering for entrance hall:  It was reported that the entrance hall area was in need of recovering.  Carpet tiles were considered and Council had received a quote for £900 including fitting.  Also, Cawdor Stone Gallery, the new factory in Woolmer Green who manufactured Granite and slate tiles were approached.  They have agreed to supply tiles at half price (£400 + VAT), plus labour, on the understanding that a plaque be erected which states where the tiles were made.    Standing Orders were suspended to allow Council to view the tiles.  All were in agreement to ask Cawdor to supply and fit the tile of their choice, as long as the labour costs were reasonable.

ii.      Replacement of locks: A quotation had been obtained to replace all locks with a single key at a cost of £564.  It was proposed by Cllr. Kirk, seconded by Cllr. Watson, that this quotation be accepted, to come out of next yearÕs budget.  All were in agreement.

iii.     Cupboard for disco equipment:  It was proposed by Chair that a cupboard be installed to house the disco equipment in the hall, rather than having to carry the equipment to and from its current location near the changing rooms.   All were in agreement for this to go ahead, as long as the quotation received was reasonable. 

6.      Grounds Report (Reported by chair in absence of Cllr. Evans):

i.        Garden Road playground: Following advice from District, Chair had received a catalogue of new playground equipment.  Three pieces of equipment were proposed for the Garden Road playground.  Mr Groom had promised a contribution of £5,000 towards the cost of this equipment.

7.      Environment Report (Reported by Chair in absence of Cllr. Bryant):

i.       Hedge/fence at Garden Road playground: It was agreed today with District that the existing white boarding will be removed and chain link fencing 4ft and 6ft high will be erected.  This is to be paid for by District.  All were in agreement that this should go ahead.

ii.     Parish Plan: The first step of the Parish Plan is to ask villagers for their Òwish listÓ of things they would like in the village.

iii.   Parish Paths Partnership: All were in agreement to renew the CouncilÕs membership to the Parish Paths Partnership.  A member of the public raised the concern that motorcyclists and horseback riders were using the path between 29 and 27 New Road, a path that is footpath only.  It was agreed to investigate narrowing the entrance, putting in a kissing gate and erecting a sign reminding that it is a footpath only.                                                Action: Chair

iv.     Rights of way improvement plan: To be discussed with Cllr. Bryant.

v.       Work at the pond: One of the willow trees will be cut, scheduled for 10th January 2004. 

vi.     Work at the Jolly Garden: The Council expressed its thanks to all those who turned out to help.

vii.   Lighting in Wickfield Close (reported by Cllr. Kirk): There had been a burglary recently in the Close, and the insufficient outside lighting was causing concern amongst the residents.  It was suggested that Council ask whether some of the Crime Prevention budget from the police could be used to improve the lighting.  All were in agreement that a letter be written. Action: Clerk

8.      Publicity (Cllr. Daniels):

i.        Parish Council Domain Names: Need to approach ATPC. Action: Cllr. Daniels

ii.      Village website: Cllr. Daniels had made a start on the website himself and needed about another week to complete.   Cllr. Daniels offered to keep the website updated once created.  The Council accepted with thanks. Action: Cllr. Daniels

iii.     ÒBroadband Woolmer GreenÓ grant plan: It was agreed that this option be included in the Parish plan discussions to see if this was something the villagers wanted.

iv.     Twinning Towns update: This would also be put to villagers as an option, as part of the parish plan.

v.      Village newsletter: Cllr. Daniels to discuss with Mia Cater.

vi.     Parish Boundary Map: This map can be found hung on the wall in the Council meeting room. A copy in A4 size will be given to all Councillors. Action: Clerk

vii.   Reprint of parish maps: It has been agreed that CMS will print these.

viii.  Book of Woolmer Green: (reported by Cllr. Watson):  Council has no more copies of this book.  Cllr. Watson approached the publishers, who have 530 copies still in stock.  They offered a discount of 50% for 100 copies and 35% for 50 copies, but this still made the purchase expensive.  It was agreed that the website should advertise the sale of the book and indicate that it can be purchased online from the publishers.

ix.     Entry into YELL: It was decided to change the entry in yellow pages from a display advertisement just in Bedford and Stevenage volume, to a lineage entry in two volumes: Watford & St Albans and Luton & Stevenage.  The total cost of these two entries was less than the single display advertisement.   

9.      Planning (Cllr. Thom):

i.        Planning application for houses on Nigel Jones site:  Standing orders were suspended to allow time for Councillors and members of the public to view plans and have questions from the floor.  The Council agreed that a letter should be sent indicating that there were no objections to the proposal, but would like modifications to the design. Due to increased demand for smaller houses, council would prefer not to see three-bedroom houses.  The ridge line of the roof, which is high, could then be lowered; making the dwellings less dominant and light would not be restricted to the bungalow.  The letter would also point out that there is an error in the plans (ref: the distance between the parameter of the proposed dwellings and the bungalow is not 15 metres).  The Council would also object to the rubbish dump location, it being too far from the houses.  Also, the tandem parking for visitors is unacceptable, as two spaces would be redundant for fear of being blocked in.                                                                                   Action: Chair/Clerk

ii.     New application: Change to use of Mardleybury Farm: Application had been received to change the last part of Mardleybury Farm to commercial storage.  There were no objections.

iii.   Decision notices: Permission had been given for Mr Groom to construct a below ground swimming pool.  Also, permission had been granted for a conservatory at 9 Haywains.  The two-storey side extension at 3 Broadfield Road had also been approved.

iv.     Changes in WHDC planning: Proposed changes to WHDC planning involve a new process, in which members of the public can address the planning committee, one speaker for and one against, on a first come first served basis.  All were in agreement that a letter be written objecting to these proposals.                                                                                               Action: Clerk

10.   Finance (Cllr. Watson):

i.        Cllr. Kirk proposed, seconded by Cllr. Thom that the payments made in September and October be accepted.  All were in agreement.

ii.      The accounts to date were unanimously approved, proposed by Cllr. Daniels and seconded by Cllr. Thom.

iii.     Approval of amended Financial Procedures: Following the last meeting a sub committee was formed and a meeting held to discuss the procedures.

iv.     Budget for 2004/2005:

(a)   All were in agreement that the rate for hire of all rooms, all day on Saturday be increased from £375 to £400.  It was also agreed that the rate for childrenÕs parties be increased from £11 per hour to £12 per hour. 

(b)  Salaries are to be increased in line with inflation. 

(c)   Chair informed Council that she had approached a different Insurer.

(d)  £2,500 had been allocated in the budget for a tenth share of a Community Police Support Officer, with Welwyn/Hatfield Council, who was now not going ahead with their share.  It was agreed that the money remain in the budget, in the hope that it can be used.

(e)   All were in agreement that the Precept be increased by 3%, the first time there has been an increase since the Parish Council was formed.

(f)   Cllr. Daniels proposed, seconded by Cllr Kirk that the budget be approved.  All were in agreement   

11.   Computing in the Community: There will be free courses for residents of Woolmer Green on Monday afternoons, running from 12th January 2004.  There are places for up to 10 people and 7 of these places have already been filled.

12.   School Governing Body:  Chair reported that there would now be no Council representative on the Board of Governors.

13.   Sport in Rural communities:  Chair reported that she and Cllr. Evans would be attending the Sport in Rural Communities conference on 26th November 2003.

14.   Action against Rural Crime: Already mentioned.

15.   Community Safety Meeting: Public Safety Meeting on Tuesday 18th November 2003, at 7:30pm at St MaryÕs School, Welwyn.

16.   PCSOs: Already mentioned

17.   CDA Rural Strategy: Deferred to next meeting.

18.   Energy White Paper:  Deferred to next meeting.

19.   Emergency Booklet: This was now with the Clerk for completion.

20.   Remembrance Day: A wreath was laid at the Remembrance Service.  It was proposed by Chair, and all were in agreement that a donation of £30 be given to the British Legion for the wreath, in line with last year.

21.   Correspondence received:  Chair reported having received leaflets on training and would be passing these on to all Councillors.

22.   Date of next meeting: Tuesday 13th January 2004.

23.   Any other business:

i.        Jitu Dave, the Community Policeman, was unable to attend the meeting.  He reported two recent burglaries, at the Chequers pub and a house in Wickfield Close.

ii.      Concerns were expressed over fences that lean over the pathways.  It was agreed that a letter be written to residents.                                   Action: Chair/clerk

iii.     A member of the public raised a concern that there were no white lines at the junction of Haywains and New Road.  It was agreed that this issue should be raised with the relevant parties.                                                         Action: Chair

Mrs Linda Vincent
Minutes Secretary
Woolmer Green Parish Council                                                                          20th November 2003