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HELD ON 21st
NOVEMBER 2005
PRESENT:
Chairman – Mr. C.
Wilkins
Councillors – Mrs.
V. Marshall
Mr. T. Charles
Mrs. M. Marr
Mr. F. Pearman
Mrs. G. Lines
Mr. J. Nash
Mr. J. Austin
Mrs. F. Chambers
In Attendance –
Mrs. L. Chambers – Clerk
Also present: Mr.
Glyn Day – East Herts Planning Enforcement Officer, Ms. Alison Young –
The Chairman welcomed Mr
Glyn Day and Ms. Alison Young. They gave a presentation to the Council of their
role in Planning Enforcement and Planning issues in general. After questions
were answered, the Chairman thanked both of them for attending this evening,
and they left the meeting.
ITEM 1 Apologies
for absence – Councillor Mrs L.
Carrington-Brown
ITEM 2 Minutes of
the last meeting on 17th October 2005 were agreed and signed as correct.
ITEM 3 Matters
arising –
The
Clerk reported that she had not written to the Leisure Plot holders yet as
after last month’s meeting more responses had arrived. The decision was now
split down the middle; after discussion, it was agreed that the Council would
stick with the decision to install a lid on the existing water butt. Action: The Clerk to arrange for a lid to be
fitted.
Councillor
Mrs Lines reported that she had investigated the damage to the climbing frame
at the Turkey Farm, and it was not a safety issue and had agreed with the Clerk
that no repair was necessary.
ITEM 4 Ongoing
items:
4.1 Playareas
& Equipment – The Clerk had obtained two quotes to replace the Swings at Nutcroft.
After discussion it was agreed that the Clerk should go back to ‘Big Foot’, the
cheaper of the two quotes, and see if they can provide a ‘like for like’ quote,
particularly in relation to the replaced safety tiles. Action: the Clerk to contact the Co.
Representative to raise the issue re: Safety Tiles
Councillor
Nash had not made any progress with the Goal Posts.
4.2 Highways. – Councillor Nash had
spoken to Ian Bishop, the Highways Engineer, about all of the Items raised in
his letter in May, specifically the missing Datchworth Signs. Mr. Bishop had
said they had been put on a list of things to do but were not considered high
priority. After discussion, it was agreed that the Clerk should write to County
Councillor Hammond, with a copy of Councillor Nash’s original letter to see if
he can apply some pressure to Highways. Action: Clerk to write to County Councillor Bryon Hammond
4.3 Parish Design
Statement – The
Chairman reported that the next step was to get all interested parties
together. This was unlikely to happen this side of Christmas.
4.4 Tree Survey. – Councillor Charles reported
that, except for two trees that would be done in the next week or so, all of
phase one of the works had been completed. The next stage was to consider
starting phase two. The Clerk asked if Councillor Charles would report back to
the Insurers and he agreed. The
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Clerk
said that before committing to stage two at the moment, the Grass Contractors
had reported that work needed to be done on trees to facilitate him cutting the
grass. He had quoted a price of £1275 and Councillor Pearman had been in
contact with him about what work needed doing. After a long discussion about
what was felt by some Councillors to be a very expensive price, it was agreed
that Councillor Pearman would provide a list of the areas that work needed
doing in for Councillor Mrs. Chambers, who would obtain a price from a contact
for the work. It was agreed that £500 would be available for this work. Action: Councillor Pearman to liaise with
Councillor Mrs Chambers. Councillor Charles to report back to Allianz-Cornhill
4.6 Sports Club – The Chairman explained
that he had sent a letter to the Sports Club, a copy of which would be
circulated, requesting that they take ownership of the issues that had been
raised. Disappointingly, no response had been received. Councillor Mrs Lines
reported that she had seen a member of the Sports Club drive the tractor and
trailer over the Green instead of using the Access Road and causing damage to
the Green. The general comment coming back after the meeting was, Rod Leggetter
had said all the right things but would the Sports Club do them. A particular
area of contention was the Village Hall Car Park. There followed a long
discussion about the way forward and the need for the appropriate legal advice
especially in relation to the Lease. It was agreed that there will be an extra
PC meeting, which will be closed to the Public, in order to decide the Parish
Council’s way forward. The initial meeting will take place on 18th
January 2006, and this will form a sub-committee for the Sports Club project and
possible Lease negotiations.
ITEM 5. Planning
New
Applications
3/05/1994/FP/AK
– 75A
3/05/1083/FP/SD –
3/05/2099/FP/JS – Cherry Tree Hall, Datchworth Green. Outbuilding enclosure of endless swimming pool, gym/fitness area, sauna/steam room, shower and WC.
3/05/2041/FP/JS –
3/05/2121/FP/LAH – Old
Shaded applications still in circulation
ITEM 6. Review of Grass Cutting Contract
The Clerk had put the Contract out to tender, but had only received one quote in addition to Kirkham’s. Councillor Pearman reported that he had looked at both quotes and they were virtually the same. In view of the fact that the Council had been satisfied with Kirkham’s he recommended that they continue to hold the contract. This was agreed to unanimously. It was agreed that this exercise would be carried out again in three years, although Kirkhams will be asked for a quote each year at budget time.
ITEM 7 Main Items of
Correspondence and Clerks Report
Hertfordshire Highways – Temporary closing of Baines Lane, 29/11/05 – 01/12 05
Triographics – Invoice for Parish Directory
Allianz-Cornhill – Settlement of claim for Turkey Farm
Brian Woodget – Requesting action over broken drain
R.J.Dawes – Grass Cutting Quote
.
ITEM 8. Councillors
Reports –
Councillor Austin reported that there was a new manager in
the
Councillor Mrs Lines reported that Leisure Plot holders were driving to the Leisure plots and making a mess of the Turkey Farm, and felt it was only a matter of time before someone gets stuck over there.
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Councillor Mrs Lines also reported that there had been some rubbish dumped in the car park, and that motor bikes were using the Turkey Farm. It was agreed that if their registration numbers could be obtained they should be reported to the Police.
The Chairman reported that the ‘drop-in’ event on 3rd December was now organised, and circulated advertising handbills for distribution.
ITEM 9. District
Councillor’s Report –
There was no report
ITEM 10. Financial
Report
In accordance with the Council’s Financial Regulations, the following transactions were approved:
Income:
DVHMC - £326.97 –
Payment for DART Electrical from DVHMC
Deposit Account
interest -£44.85
Five Hide Village -
£10.50
Outgoings:
Cheque Number 121 – Triographics for Parish Directory - £560.00
122 – Dart Electrical for DVHMC - £384.20
123 – J. Adams
–litter - £101.00
124 – Mrs L. Chambers
– Salary - £431.92
Bank Balances – Cheque Account - £4465.95 - £4000 has been transferred to savings account today
Savings Account - £20568.65
ITEM 11. Benefits and
Concerns
The unfortunate late arrival of a couple of Councillors had caused inconvenience during the Planning Talk. Councillor Charles said another concern was that it was the same old problems arising time and again.
ITEM 12 Date of the next Meeting: 19th December 2005 @ 8.00pm - This will be a short ‘business only’ meeting
The meeting closed at 10.05pm