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DATCHWORTH PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD ON 18th DECEMBER 2006

AT 8.00pm IN DATCHWORTH VILLAGE HALL

 

PRESENT:

Chairman – Mr. C. Wilkins

Councillors – Mrs V. Marshall

                        Mr. T. Charles                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

                        Mrs L. Carrington-Brown

                        Mrs M. Marr

                        Mr F. Pearman

                        Mr J. Austin

                        Mr. J. Nash

 

In Attendance – Mrs. L. Chambers – Clerk

 

ITEM 1 Apologies for absence – Councillor Mrs F. Chambers and District Councillor Jackson

 

ITEM 2 Minutes of the last meeting on 20th November were agreed and signed as correct

 

ITEM 3 Matters arising –

There is a Village Hall meeting in January when the Chairman will chase up progress on the storage cupboard. Action: The Chairman to pursue the availability of the storage cupboard.

 

Councillor Mrs Marr reported that she had been in contact with East Herts. about the Disability access of Burnham Green Play area as highlighted in the RoSPA report. The only action needed was if someone complained about the accessibility, and even then action was only required if it was feasible, for example financially.

 

The permissions for the tree work had now been obtained and a meeting was due to take place with the residents affected by the work, on 19/12/06.

 

ITEM 4.1 Sports Club

The Chairman reported that there had been a meeting with the Sports Club, at which they had said they want to open negotiations for the new lease, so that it can be in place for obtaining financial assistance with the building work. There was a long discussion about the way forward and ensuring the lease will be an adequate long standing arrangement. The new Solicitor will be ‘walking around’ the Village on 11th January and this will be discussed with him then. Councillor Austin was cataloguing the leases and documents, and the Sports Club file will be high priority. He anticipated having all the cataloguing done by the end of this month. Action: Councillor Austin to complete the cataloguing of the documents.

 

The parking problem at Hopkyns Hoo had now been resolved.

 

4.2 Highways Exhibition.

Councillor Charles circulated the document he had compiled with the extracted views from the returned questionnaires. After a long discussion about the various areas of concern, it was agreed that Councillor Charles will prepare the PC’s submission, which is to be in by 22nd December 2006, and will include a proposal to review the Crossroads. Action Councillor Charles to prepare PC’s response to Highways.

 

An issue had arisen at the Highways Exhibition concerning Rectory Lane and the use of heavy vehicles, and a letter had also been received from Mr Wright in Rectory Lane concerning this. Councillor Nash declared an interest. After a long discussion it was agreed that the Chairman should

 

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respond to Mr Wright’s letter on a factual basis, whilst Councillor Nash will deal with the personal issues raised at the Exhibition, as he deems appropriate.

 

ITEM 5. Planning

21st November 2006 to 15th December 2006

 

New Applications

3/06/2237/FP/JS – Pound Farm Hollybush Lane. Change of use of existing buildings for storage and sale of cars by appointment (retrospective)

3/06/2254/FO/CD – 13 Raffin Green Lane. Removal of onerous planning condition

3/06/2360/FP/CD – 1A Raffin Green Lane. Single storey rear extension and conversion 

                          

                                      Applications Granted Permission (by EHDC)

3/06/1937/FP/SE – 2A Raffin Close. Two single storey side extensions, with conditions

3/06/1472/FP/GH – Opposite 65-67 Burnham Green Road Stable and ménage for equestrian purposes. No objections to plans, request for conditions on use of the land (with conditions)

3/06/2130/FP/SD – 23 Brookbridge Lane. Two storey rear and single storey extension

 

                                     Applications Refused Permission (by EHDC)

3/06/11896/FP/CD – 37 Burnham Green Road. One single storey and One 2 storey rear extensions and French windows to attic rooms. Green belt policy, excessive size, adverse effect on trees and hedges

3/06/1925/FP/JS – Bulls Green Farm, 84, Bramfield Road. Single storey glazed link. Poor standard of design and unsympathetic to the existing

 

The Planning sub-committee had held a meeting to discuss EHC’s Planning Policy Documents, and agreed with EHC’s view. The Clerk reported that she had received an email from District Councillor Jackson which will have a bearing on this. The Planning Inspector has ruled on the proposed Local Plan for East Herts.; East Herts. Council had determined that Datchworth should be a category two Village, which meant further development would be for locally identified in-fill. The Inspectorate has determined that Datchworth should be categorised as Category 1, with the potential for more expansive development. District Councillor Jackson will update the PC when more details are known.

A long discussion took place to express extreme concern about this change of Policy. Action: Await further developments.

 

ITEM 6 Main Items of Correspondence

EHC – Revised Electoral Roll

The Clerk will write to request an edited version of the Electoral Roll for the use of the Parish Plan committee

 

HCC – Stevenage Secondary School Review

HCC – Stevenage Secondary School Review – Meeting 8th Jan

Councillor Mrs Marshall was aware of this review but was unable to attend the meeting. As this review would affect the school age children of Datchworth, she will monitor the progress of the review. Action: Monitor the progress of the review.

 

EHC – Precept request forms

The form was signed. Action: Clerk to return the forms to EHC

 

Nockolds – Meeting arranged for 11th January

The date was noted

 

John Wright – Damage in Rectory Lane

See action under ‘planning’.

 

Kirkham Contracting – Invoice and quote for additional work

It was agreed unanimously that the Clerk should write and request Kirkham Contracting to complete the additional work. This was to conform with Kirkham’s Risk Assessment Policy.

 

LubbockFine – External Audit Return

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No concerns identified.

 

Clerk’s Report

The recently planted tree outside 13 Brookbridge Lane had been vandalised, and consequently Councillor Pearman had removed it. The Residents had asked if it would be replaced, however it was agreed to leave it for a while before a new tree was planted.

 

ITEM 7– District Councillor’s Reports

This was covered in Planning

 

ITEM 8. Financial Report

In accordance with the Council’s financial regulations, the following transactions were approved

Income:

Interest on Deposit account - £47.20

DVHMC – Maintenance Equipment - £86.76

Outgoings:

Cheque Number: 185 – D.Overman – Maintenance - £92.36

                            186 – Ian Walker (DVHMC) - £101.94

                            188 – SLCC Fees - £85.00

                            189 – J.Adams – Litter - £107.00

                            190 – Mrs L. Chambers – Salary and Expenses - £456.59

                            191 – EHC for Edited Electoral Roll - £21.50

                            192 – Kirkham Contracting - £7212.41

                            193 – LubbockFine – Audit Fees - £364.25

Bank Balances – Cheque Account - £3930.65

Savings Account - £ 20578.21 - £7000 transferred today, 18/12/06                                                     

                      

                                          

ITEM 11 Benefits and Concerns

Grave concern was expressed about the re-classification of the Village for Planning and development, by all Councillors.

 

The Chairman said that as an election was due in May, he will be placing an article in the Magazine encouraging Parishioners to consider standing for election.

 

ITEM 12 Date of Next Meeting: 15th January 2007

                                                                                  

 

The meeting closed 9.15 pm