WOOLMER GREEN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of meeting held 14 November 2006

Present: Cllr G Daniels (Chair), Cllr H Bryant, Cllr N Collingridge, Cllr Mrs J Thom, Cllr Mrs J Watson.

 

In attendance: Mrs J Pearce (minutes). No members of the public.

 

1. Apologies for Absence: Cllr Mrs C Evans. A. Edmonds (Clerk).

2. Minutes of Council Meeting on 10 October: Minutes were circulated, agreed and will be signed at

the next meeting.

3. Meetings Attended by Councillors: Cllr Evans attended a Welwyn & District Road Safety Meeting on

      9 November. However, no matters arose concerning Woolmer Green.

      A Councillors’ Workshop was attended by Cllr Watson.

      Cllr Collingridge attended a meeting about a reduction of the speed limit in Mardleybury Road. Positive

      progress is being made.

The Armistice Day Service at St Michael’s Churchwas attended by Cllrs Daniels, Thom & Watson. It was agreed to donate £40 to the British Legion.

4.   Correspondence: WHC wrote to consult the Parish Council on an application for a casino in the    district which they oppose. The Parish Council voted to agree with WHC’s decision.

      Cllr Watson received a sample copy of a monthly publication, which Councillors will study. A decision on

      whether to subscribe to the publication will be made at the next meeting.

      The Council was notified of an HAPTC conference on “Future of Local Government”.

      Information was received concerning the “Open Spaces Society”.

      Herts Highways informed the Council that Robbery Bottom Lane will close sometime between

24 November & 1 April.

5.   Planning: (Cllr Thom)

      a. No applications or decisions to report.

      b. The owner of 11 London Road had been informed by the Planning Enforcement Officer that the Parish

         Council had complained about the sign on the side of his building. No representation had been made

         from the Council, despite concerns from some residents. It was decided that in the interests of

accountability, all calls to Planning Enforcement be first agreed by the Council and minuted.

6. Hall: (Cllr Watson)

a. The registration of Council land was deferred until the Clerk returns from vacation.

b. Registration of the Pond, being Common Land, has been referred to Countryside Management.

      Still awaiting progress.

c. The Council have been working with St. Michael’s School Transport Group and Governors to try to set up a safer access for children entering and leaving the school. Negotiations are on-going.                                                                                                                                                         Action: Cllr Evans

d. Cllrs have studied Cllr Daniels’ proposals for the Village Hall. It was agreed to explore them further

      and seek experienced advice. Cllr Daniels to report back in 3 months. Action: Cllr Daniels

e. Plans are to be drawn up to enable a planning application to be submitted for an extension to the

      Hall to provide additional storage. Action: Cllr Watson

7. Grounds: (Cllr Evans)

      a. The report from Groundwork Trust was deferred until the next meeting.

      b. Review of inspection format for Playground Equipment was deferred until next meeting.

      c. WHC have been approached regarding the use of land in Woolmer Green as allotments; the Council is still awaiting a response.

8. Environment & Transport: (Cllr Collingridge)

      a. The minutes from the Joint Highways meeting, which included discussions on a

      speed restriction for Mardleybury Road, were distributed.

      b. The Action on London Road was discussed. Councillors will discuss the findings at a Meeting on 28 November.

      c.. Datchworth Parish Council has agreed to form a partnership with Woolmer Green to jointly

      produce a footpath map, board and leaflets. An application to the Conservation Foundation for

      a grant for this had been rejected. £1000 will be allocated for this in the next year’s Budget.

                                                                                                                        Action: Cllr Collingridge

      d. WHC have been approached regarding the unsightly recycling containers. It was agreed to pursue the matter.                                                                    Action: Cllr Watson                       

      e. There has been no further action regarding the heavy vehicle passing through New Road & Hollybush Lane.

9. Publicity: (Cllr Bryant)

      a. Christmas cards will be printed on Friday 17 November.

b. The Council expect to accept delivery of the calendars shortly. 10. Parish Plan: (Cllr Daniels)

      The results of the Parish Plan are due to be printed at the end of the month and distributed to all

      households in the new year.                                                                             Action: Cllr Daniels

      11. Finance: (Cllr Daniels)

a. Due to the absence of the Clerk, payments for October will be considered next month.

      b. It was agreed to include the purchase of an item of play equipment for older children in the budget proposals.

      12. War Memorial Refurbishment: No progress to report.                                 Action: Cllr Watson

13. Community Officer Award: Cllr Watson will attend a presentation evening where the winners will be

announced.

14. House of Commons Visit: Cllr Bryant is arranging a visit for residents to the House of Commons next year. Details will be published in the next Newsletter.                                             Action: Cllr Bryant

15. Village Day: The Entertainment Committee has sadly had to cancel next year’s Village Day due to lack of support from people in the organising of the event.

16. WGSSC: Cllr Daniels will request CRB and insurance details from WGSSC.      Action: Cllr Daniels

17. Computer Grant: It was agreed to apply to HAPTC for a computer grant.                                                                                                                                                                 Action: Cllr Watson

18. Halloween: Cllrs discussed the serious disturbances that occurred on the evening of Halloween.

19. Carols around the Pond: Cllr Daniels suggested that lighting would enhance the annual Carols

Around the Pond event. This was agreed.                                    Action: Entertainment Comm.

20. Planters: Cllrs have noticed that the planters in the village are in need of attention.

                                                                                                                                    Action: Cllr Bryant

21. Next Meeting: Tuesday 12 December 2006

JP 16.11.06