1021
HELD ON 20th
NOVEMBER 2006
PRESENT:
Chairman – Mr. C.
Wilkins
Councillors – Mrs
V. Marshall
Mrs F. Chambers
Mr. T. Charles
Mrs. G. Lines
Mrs L. Carrington-Brown
Mrs M. Marr
Mr F. Pearman
District
Councillor A. Jackson
In Attendance –
Mrs. L. Chambers – Clerk
ITEM 1 Apologies
for absence – Councillors Mr J. Austin,
Mr J. Nash
ITEM 2 Minutes of
the last meeting on 16th October 2006. The Clerk said that although District
Councillor Jackson had given his apologies for the meeting, she had omitted
them from the minutes. With this correction the minutes were then agreed and
signed as correct.
ITEM 3 Matters
arising –
The
Clerk had received an email from Raj Goutam at Highways concerning all the
outstanding issues including the fences at Bulls Green. He had sent off for
boundary details which will take some time. If it is found that both properties
have enclosed Highways land, measures will be taken to have the fences removed.
There is no progress on the remaining two matters, the footpath ownership
outside 48 Datchworth Green and the name plates at the entrance to the Village.
Action: Monitor and chase again
in January.
District
Councillor Jackson had chased Welwyn and Hatfield Council concerning inclusion
in the Planning Process but with little success. He was still optimistic of
success but will keep up the pressure. Action: District Councillor Jackson to monitor situation.
The
Chairman will chase the Village Hall Chairman for the key to the cupboard for
storage. Action: The Chairman to
chase Ian Walker.
The
new notice board had now been delivered. The Clerk will arrange for it to be
installed on the grass near the tree where the old board is fixed. Action: The Clerk to arrange for
installation.
The
Clerk reminded the Council about the Traffic Survey exhibition and asked for
volunteers to attend to give information about the Council’s views on the
plans. Councillors Charles, Pearman, Mrs Lines and Mrs Chambers agreed to
attend. Action: Councillors to
attend exhibition.
ITEM 9 District
Councillor’s report
As
District Councillor Jackson had to leave the meeting this item was taken next.
He said that he had hoped to be able to inform the meeting about the Inspectors
rulings on East Herts Local Plan but this had been delayed possibly until
January.
ITEM 4 Ongoing
items:
4.1 Playareas
& Equipment – The Safety report had been received and there were no safety issues
identified. However the inspectors had identified disability access issues
especially at the Burnham Green site. After discussion it was agreed that
Councillor Mrs Marr should check with the report
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Authors
what was exactly meant by the comments. Action: Councillor Mrs Marr to contact the authors of the report to
clarify accessibility.
4.2 Highways – Nothing to report.
4.3 Parish Design
Statement – Councillor
Charles reported that he, together with Tony Stowe, would be doing an
illustrated talk with the Datchworth Society at their AGM about the future
design of the Village. The Clerk reported that she had still not received the
Electoral roll that she had requested for Tony Stowe. District Councillor
Jackson would chase it up. Action:
District Councillor Jackson to chase up edited version of the Electoral Roll.
Councillor
Charles said that progress on the Parish Design Statement was being made.
4.4 Tree Survey – The Contractors were
still waiting for permissions to be granted by EHC. Action: District Councillor Jackson to chase
permissions.
4.5 Sports Club – The Clerk had received an
email from Fran Attrill about the Parking on the 5th November.
Councillor Pearman said this had been a date that had been flagged up in
September and he had made his field available but it had not been used anywhere
near capacity. There followed a long discussion about the way forward. It was
agreed that whilst progress and been made with The Sports Club and parking
there was still a long way to go, especially with the Marshals and their
enforcing of parking arrangements. The Chairman said there was a meeting on 28th
November and he would take all the comments and suggestions to the meeting. Action: Continue to monitor the situation
The
Chairman reported that there had been complaints about parking of vehicles in
the access to Hopkyns Hoo resulting in the residents having to drive over the
Green to exit their property. This was an ongoing investigation which the
Chairman was pursuing.
ITEM
5. Planning
24th Oct 2006 to 20th
November 2006
New Applications
3/06/2108/FP/SE
– Lynfield House Datchworth Green. To site two solar collectors on the front
roof elevation
3/06/2130/FP/SD
–
3/06/2146/FP/SD
– Rose Cottage, 67 Datchworth Green. First floor side extension, new porch and
replacement conservatory
3/06/FP/GH –
Field off 5 Burnham Close. Stables and change of use to grazing land
Applications Granted Permission (by EHDC)
3/06/1723/FP/GH - 1 Raffin Park – Open
porch with pitched roof. Single storey rear and side extension, first floor
front extension, alterations to pitch of roof and covered walkway to side
3/06/1793/FP/CD – Hollybush House,
Applications Refused Permission (by EHDC)
3/06/1649/FP/GH –
3/06/1667/FP/CD – 1a
After discussion it was agreed there
would be no objection to the application for the Field off 5 Burnham Close.
The Clerk had received two ‘Certificates
of lawful use’ letters to which there were no plans attached. It was agreed
that she should ask the Planning Dept. for copies of the plans. Action: Clerk to ask for the Plans.
Planning Policy Documents – Councillor
Charles outlined what was contained within the documents and the relevance to
the Village. The Chairman had looked through them and commended sections to the
Council to read. It was agreed there should be a planning sub-committee meeting
to formulate the Council’s reply.
Action: Planning sub-committee meeting on 11th December at 8.00pm.
Clerk to book the Village Hall.
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ITEM
6. 1 Grass Cutting Quote and Risk Assessment.
The quote from Kirkhams was presented and
after discussion agreed as acceptable.
Kirkhams had now obtained a Risk
Assessment Policy which identified a problem with low branches. After
discussion it was agreed to obtain a quote from Kirkhams for the work to be
done, if possible, before next spring.
Action: Clerk to write to Kirkhams to obtain quote for work.
ITEM
6.2 Leases and Documents obtained from Brignalls.
These were presented at the meeting for
anyone to look at, if required. After discussion it was agreed that the Clerk
should obtain a proforma for a Register of Deeds to complete before arranging
for Nockolds to collect the Documents and do ‘walk round’ of the Village. Action: Clerk to complete a Register of
Deeds.
ITEM 7 –
Highways (email) – Response to chaser
Monitor situation
EHC – Housing Capacity Assessment
After discussion it was agreed that there was no action on this at the moment
Kirkhams – Quote for Grass Cutting and Risk Assessment
Clerk to write accepting quote and asking for quote for safety work on low tree branches
NALC – White Paper special newsletter
No action
EHC – Annual Playground Inspection Report
Passed to Councillor Mrs Marr for further inquiries concerning accessibility
ITEM 8 – Councillor’s
Reports
Councillor Mrs Carrington-Brown reported that she had been going to attend the Rural Housing Conference but unfortunately it had been cancelled.
Councillor Mrs Marr reported the Andrew Marr was happy to walk the Footpaths once or twice a year to report any problems but was not willing to drive the Parish Paths Partnership in conjunction with Woolmer Green. After discussion, Councillor Mrs Marshall said she was willing to do this and the Clerk passed all the copies of letters, including the possibility of Grant Funding from EHC, over to her.
ITEM 10. Financial
Report
Income:
05/10/06 21/2%
Consols - £3.11
16/10/06 – Interest
- £40.47
Outgoings:
Cheque Number 182 – Mrs F. Chambers - £77.55 – New Notice Board for Burnham Green
183 – Mr J. Adams – Litter -£107.00
184 – Mrs L. Chambers – Salary and Expenses - £450.14
Bank Balances – Cheque Account - £4478.58
Savings Account - £20525.19
ITEM 11 Benefits and
Concerns
The benefits were noted as District Councillor Jackson’s presence at the meeting is always helpful and progress was being made with the Solicitor situation.
No concerns were expressed.
ITEM 12 Date of Next Meeting: 18th December 2006 – This will be a short business meeting
The meeting closed 9.30 pm