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DATCHWORTH PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD ON 15th JANUARY 2007

AT 8.00pm IN DATCHWORTH VILLAGE HALL

 

PRESENT:

Chairman – Mr. C. Wilkins

Councillors – Mrs V. Marshall

                        Mr. T. Charles                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

                        Mrs L. Carrington-Brown

                        Mrs F. Chambers

                        Mr F. Pearman

                        Mr J. Austin

                        Mr. J. Nash

                        Mrs G. Lines

District Councillor T. Jackson

 

In Attendance – Mrs. L. Chambers – Clerk

 

ITEM 1 Apologies for absence – There were none

 

ITEM 2 Minutes of the last meeting on 18th December 2006 were agreed and signed as correct. Councillor Mrs Lines gave her belated apologies for last month’s meeting.

 

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.

 

There had been no response from Highways to the Analysis of the traffic survey, discussed and circulated last month. The Analysis is now available on the web site.

 

ITEM 4.1 Ongoing items:

4.1 Play areas and equipment – Nothing to report.

4.2 Highways – A hedge in Hollybush lane was reported as needing cutting back. It was agreed that this was the House owner’s responsibility and Councillor Charles will have a word with the resident. Action: Councillor Charles to speak to the resident to request the hedge be trimmed.

The Clerk reported that she had chased Highways for a response concerning the fences at Bulls Green, but had received no response. District Councillor Jackson will chase Raj Goutam on the Parish Council’s behalf. Action: District Councillor Jackson to chase Highways.

4.3 Parish Design Statement – The Chairman said he will contact Tony Stowe for a progress report. Action: The Chairman to contact Tony Stowe for a progress report.

4.4 Tree Survey – The next phase has now been started, and the work for the residents on the Green had now been completed and they were very happy with the work. A fallen tree located on Thursday had also been dealt with.

4.5 Sports Club – There is to be a meeting with the Sports Club representatives on 23 January 2007

 

ITEM 5. Planning

16th December 2006 to 14th January 2007

New Applications

 

3/06/2449/FP/CD – 1 Hawkins Hall Lane. Alterations and side/rear extensions to existing property. Request for conditions under permitted development rights

3/06/2509/FP/SD – Swan Hill Barn r/o 75 Burnham Green Road. Retrospective application for the erection of a garden shed and pergola

 

 

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Applications Granted Permission (by EHDC)

3/06/FP/GH – Field off 5 Burnham Close. Stables and change of use to grazing land

3/06/2108/FP/SE – Lynfield House Datchworth Green. To site two solar collectors on the front roof elevation

3/06/2146/FP/SD – Rose Cottage, 67 Datchworth Green. First floor side extension, new porch and replacement conservatory

3/06/2212/FP – 80 Nutcroft. Bay Window and Canopy

 

Applications Refused Permission (by EHDC)

3/06/2237/FP – Pound Farm, Hollybush Lane. Change of use of existing buildings for storage and sale of cars by appointment only (retrospective). The proposal would represent an inappropriate use in the rural area.

Appeals

1 Hawkins Hall Lane –appeal against the refusal of planning permission by EHDC for a replacement dwelling – informal hearing 13th Feb 2007

 

District Councillor Jackson expanded on his report last month about the change of category for Datchworth. The Inspector had reviewed East Herts. Local Plan and had changed Datchworth to a category 1 Village (from category 2). District Councillor Jackson, together with Councillor Charles explained the implications of this for the Village. A great deal seems to hinge on the boundary being defined by East Herts., which they will not be rushing into. After a long discussion, it was agreed it would be in the Village’s best interest to have the boundary defined as soon as possible. District Councillor Jackson agreed he would report this view to East Herts. Council and will let the PC have a response. The Chairman said that this made the Parish Design Statement essential, and the urgency for this should be increased. It was agreed that the PC should have an extra meeting on 29th January, to define where they feel the boundary should be drawn and passed to District Councillor Jackson. He will arrange a meeting with East Herts. Planners for further discussion. Action: The Clerk to book the Village Hall for 29th January at 8.15pm

District Councillor Jackson reported that the East of England plan for 20,000 houses to be built in the region has been re-instated by the concerned Government Minister Ruth Kelly. He urged the PC to make representations against the Harlow North expansion, and to let him know if this is done. He expressed grave concern about Stevenage’s aspirations for expansion, possibly into this area.

District Councillor Jackson had been to a meeting in Watton at Stone for South Anglia Housing. It had been agreed to hold a meeting in Datchworth for residents.

Whilst at the meeting, District Councillor Jackson had met PC Andy Woodward who had discussed speed control in the Village. He was looking for volunteers to help with the paperwork for issuing speeding tickets. The Clerk reported that she had placed this request in the magazine at one time, with no response.

District Councillor Jackson left the meeting.

 

ITEM 6. Solicitor’s visit to the Village

Already covered in correspondence

 

ITEM 7 Main Items of Correspondence

HCC – Hertford and Ware Secondary School Review

HCC – Stevenage Schools Consultation

Councillor Mrs Marshall reported that she had read all the documents concerning both reviews. Major changes were being suggested which would have significant impact on the Children in the Village

 

Nockolds – Confirmation of Meeting

The meeting was attended by the Chairman, Councillor Charles and the Clerk, when the Leases and documents from the previous Solicitor were handed over

 

Three Valleys Water – Bill

A request had been sent to the Bowls Club for their share of the bill

 

HCC – Temporary closure – Watton Road between 1/2/07 and 31/7/08

The dates were noted.

 

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John W.M. Wallace – Car park Rent

A request had been sent to the Sports Club for the rent

 

Stopharlownorth – Public Consultation

The email has been forwarded to all Councillors

 

Go-East – Proposed Changes to East of England Plan  

A copy has been passed to Councillor Charles

 

EHC – Unauthorised Adverts and Flyposting – nominations for sites

After discussion it was agreed that no sites will be nominated

 

Clerk’s Report

The Clerk reported that she will be unavailable from the end of January until the middle of February.

 

ITEM 8 Councillor’s Reports

Councillor Mrs Marshall reported that she had met with Woolmer Green Parish Council representatives regarding the Parish Paths Partnership and progress was being made. Funding had been applied for., which should cover the artwork for the notice boards, this year. She asked for suggestions for the highlighted areas of interest to appear on the notice boards.

Councillor Mrs Chambers reported that she had been told of a couple of trees that had fallen in Nutcroft, but she did not believe these were PC trees. Councillor Pearman said he would go and have a look and move them, if possible. Action: Councillor Pearman to investigate.

Councillor Mrs Chambers reported that the 30mph sign in Raffin Green Lane was down and there was a large pothole at the junction of Raffin Green Lane and Raffin Park. Action: The Clerk to report both items on the Potholes hotline.

Councillor Charles reported that the seat outside the School, on the Church Path, needs repair. The Clerk said she believed this was PTA property.

The Chairman reported that Ian Walker of the Village Hall Management Committee had said he felt the Village Hall was in crisis; the Management Committee needed a new treasurer and he was considering stepping down as Chairman

 

ITEM 9– District Councillor’s Reports

This was covered in Planning

 

ITEM 10. Financial Report

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

Income:

 Interest on Deposit Account - £53.02

Outgoings:

Cheque Number 194 – John W.M. Wallace – Car Park Rent - £65.81

                            195 – Three Valleys Water - £42.22

                            196 – Mr J. Adams – Litter - £107.00

                            197 – Mrs L. Chambers – Salary and Expenses - £420.69

 

Bank Balances – Cheque Account - £2492.71

Savings Account - £13578.21                                                          

                                                               

ITEM 11 Benefits and Concerns

The main concern was the noise from the main Hall. The Clerk explained that the meeting had been held in the Small Hall for ease of access for Councillor Austin.

 

The main benefit was District Councillor Jackson’s attendance to help explain the Planning changes that may occur with the re-classification of the Village.

 

ITEM 12 Dates of Next Meetings: 29th January 2007 at 8.15pm  and 19th February 2007

                                                                                 

 

The meeting closed 9.25 pm