Minutes of Meeting of Woolmer Green Parish Council

Held on 8 November 2005

 

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

  

 

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

of the Public

 

 

1.         Apologies for Absence: Cllr H Bryant.

 

2.         Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on 11 October: These had been circulated and were signed as a correct record.

 

3.         Meetings Attended by Councillors: Cllr Evans attended a Road Safety Committee where consultation regarding the junction between New Road and London Road continued.

 

4.         Private Access to Council Land: The outstanding resident affected by this has agreed and will sign documentation shortly.

 

5.         Highways Dept Work: The Clerk reported the lighting in Lisles’ passage will be repaired shortly, the missing junction sign from New Road was being chased-up and patching of tarmac on the junction of New Road/Garden Road would done shortly. Potholes on Wych Elm Lane and White Horse Lane will be reported. Action: The Clerk

 

6.         Hall Fabric and Transport:

a.     Work on the down pipe was ongoing.

b.     The raised floorboards in the hall had gone down with adequate ventilation and heating.

c.     The quote for £900 will be accepted for the new cupboard with roller shuttering.

 

7.         Grounds:

a.     Simon Cooper had repaired the ground’s nets for £240.

b.     Older Children’s play equipment: Cllr Evans had investigated a range of cycle tracks, skateboard ramps, play and seating equipment for ages 10-15 years. These were very expensive at c£25,000 for a selection.

 

8.         Environment: The potential damage to roofs from overhanging trees near the Garden Road playground were felt to be the responsibility of the District Council. They will be contacted and the issue of responsibility clearly decided. Action: The Clerk

 

9.         Publicity: (Cllr Daniels)

a.     Parish Plan: Cllr Daniels reported that the drop points for return of the questionnaire would be as for the newsletter. He will pass the material to the Clerk for printing.

b.     Website: Cllr Watson reported she had heard appreciative comments about the excellence of the web-site.

 

 

 

10.      Planning: (Cllr Thom)

a. Decision – N6/2005/1069, 31 London Road, 2 storey extension - approved.

b.     Decision – N6/2005/1119, Mardlebury Manor walls - approved.

c. Application – 05/2005/1283, School play ground extended and completed.

 

 

 

11.    Sports Club: A number of villagers (Jeff and Wayne Hazel, David Clements and Gary Hanaker) were prepared to organize a sports club to provide equipment and coaching for football, cricket and karate etc for local people. Cllr Watson suggested that the cricket club could have use of council land for the charge of a peppercorn rent. The Club would need to be officially formed with insurance (including against damage to council property) and comply with current child protection policy. A representative from the club, Jeff Hazel, will be invited to become a member of the Entertainment Committee to facilitate co-ordination with the Parish Council on such matters as finance, storage, equipment etc. The Parish Council will contact Jeff Hazel. Action: Cllr Watson

 

11.      Finance:

a.     Accounts for October had been circulated; Cllr Daniels proposed they be approved, Cllr Evans seconded and the proposition was carried. Money owed to the Lottery Fund was due to be paid back. The Auditors had agreed with the accounts and suggested an annual risk assessment be performed and an increase in fidelity guarantee insurance cover to £33,000.

b.     Risk Assessment: Risks associated with the storage of commodities in the loft and access to them by ladder would be reduced by access to the new cupboard. Two carbon monoxide detectors were to be installed.

c.     Budget 2006/7: A quote of £12,000 for replacement of the window at the south end of the Hall had been obtained. A quote of £550 for marking the tennis court had also been obtained. A finance meeting with Cllr Bryant would be held shortly to discuss these matters.                                         Action: Cllr. Bryant, Cllr. Watson, the Clerk

 

12.      Entertainments Committee: A meeting will be held next week. The Committee would be asked if they could purchase a Christmas tree and decorate it.

 

13.      Pond Committee: This will be renamed to reflect its environmental quality and it will meet shortly.

 

14.      Calendar: The Calendar was ready to be printed. An order of 100 at a cost of £323 had been made. Some of them would be offered, at cost, to the school’s and Monread Lodge’s Christmas Bazaars.

 

15.      Community Service Volunteer Day: The council expressed its thanks to the volunteers who helped. A lot of work was undertaken and completed.

 

16.      Donation to British Legion for Remembrance Day wreath: Cllr Watson proposed the same donation as last year, £40, be given. Cllr Daniels seconded this and the proposition was carried. Action: The Clerk

 

17.      War Memorial Repairs: J. J. Burgess would be asked to quote for the repair the memorial. Cllr Watson will e-mail the church warden to offer the Parish Council’s contribution for the repairs.

 

18.      Deposit Plan for WHC: The ‘Statement of Community Involvement Preferred options paper would be kept at Cllr Watson’s house for consultation by the public. An information sheet regarding its location would be added to the notice board.      Action: The Clerk

 

19.      Police Community Support Officers funding: The Chief Constable wants to provide more support officers funded by parish councils. It was proposed this would be a good idea provided the cost could be shared proportionately with Welwyn. The Clerk was asked to make an approach to the Clerk of Welwyn Parish Council.              Action: The Clerk

 

20.      Any Other Business:

Land Registry: The Clerk was asked to check that all land owned by the council was registered at the Land Registry. Action: The Clerk

Cold Callers: It was decided individuals should be encouraged to put up their own signs to prevent cold callers rather than the council put up signs. Cllr Evans will e-mail

the Neighbourhood Watch to ask if problems were occurring with cold callers.

Action: Cllr Evans

 

21. Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday 6 December 2005.

 

Mrs Fiona Young, Minutes Secretary

Woolmer Green Parish Council