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DATCHWORTH PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD ON 14th MAY 2007

AT 8.00pm IN DATCHWORTH VILLAGE HALL

 

PRESENT:

Chairman – Mr. C. Wilkins

Councillors – Mrs V. Marshall

                        Mr. T. Charles                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

                        Mr. F. Pearman

                        Mr. A. Brown

In Attendance – Mrs. L. Chambers – Clerk

 

Also present: Mrs L. Carrington-Brown, Mrs G. Lines and Mrs. J. Dodson - Parishioners

 

ITEM 1 Apologies for absence – Councillors Mrs F. Chambers, Mr J. Austin and District Councillor Jackson

 

ITEM 2 Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman for the coming year. Councillor Wilkins was proposed as Chair and Councillor Mrs Marshall as Vice- Chair, both by Councillor Charles and seconded by Councillor Pearman. There being no other nominations, they were duly elected.

 

ITEM 3 Co-opting of New Councillors. After discussion it was agreed all existing members of the Council should vote on this. A meeting is to be held on 4th June 2007 at 8.00pm for this purpose. Action: The Clerk to book the Committee Room of the Village Hall.

The Chairman suggested that he should contact all six volunteers to request that they give an outline of what they can bring to the Council and their areas of interest. This can be either in writing or by approaching an existing Councillor to propose them. This was agreed. Action: The Chairmen to contact all six Volunteers for information.

 

ITEM 4 Councillors’ Appointments for the coming year. It was agreed that this should be delayed until the June meeting when the full Council should be in place. Existing responsibilities should continue for another month. Councillor Brown said he was willing to take on Highways and the Chairman will take responsibility for Playareas.

The Chairman suggested that there should be two new areas of responsibility: Liaising with surrounding Parish Councils/Villages and the Parish Paths Partnership. This was agreed. Action: The Clerk to include two new categories on the next Agenda.

 

ITEM 5 Minutes of the last meeting on 16th April 2007. Councillor Charles said he had declared an interest in the Van Hage garden Company Proposal but it was as a friend of one of the Developers’ Consultants. With this amendment the minutes were agreed and signed as correct.

 

ITEM 6 Matters arising –

Councillor Brown had discussed the holding of a key to the barrier with other Leisure Plot holders. He suggested that all Plot Holders be issued with a key, as he was not available at all times. After discussion it was agreed that an addendum to their contract should be drawn up, outlining the responsibilities of the key holders and the sanctions for not complying with the contract.  The Clerk to draw up the addendum to the Contract.

The Clerk reported that Mr Nash was unable to install the barrier at the Turkey Farm due to time constraints. He had said he was happy to provide the materials. Action: The Clerk to arrange for the installing of the barrier.

The Clerk had written to EDF concerning the Generator at Bulls Green, but there had been no response. It was suggested that the householders affected by the Generator may have information. Action: the Clerk to chase EDF and contact the Residents of the Horns.

.

ITEM 7 Ongoing items:

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7.1 Play areas and equipment – Nothing to report.

7.2 Highways – Councillor Charles apologised that he had not circulated the amended map concerning the safety improvements. After discussion the amended map was agreed. Councillors Charles and Pearman will meet with Highways tomorrow (15th May).

The Clerk reported that she had circulated the minutes of the meeting between Councillor Nigel Poulton and Raj Goutam of Highways, concerning outstanding issues. Although there had been a response on all areas nothing had actually been progressed.

Councillor Brown said the verges were getting very dangerous, especially at the Baines Lane Junction. This was Highways responsibility and will be questioned at Tomorrow’s meeting.

7.3 Parish Design Statement – Progress was being made with a view to distributing a questionnaire in September.

7.4 Tree Survey – Councillor Charles suggested it was time to consider the next phase of the tree work. It was agreed that when the full Council was in place consideration should be given to priorities for repairs and improvements.

Councillor Charles reported that the two trees between the Village Hall and 50 Datchworth Green were subject to an Insurance claim. The Insurers wanted to remove them and replace them with more suitable trees. After discussion this was agreed.

7.5 Sports Club – The Clerk reported that she had received a reply concerning the parking arrangements for the functions on the Green. After discussion it was agreed that these were satisfactory. Action: The Clerk to write to the Sports Club to confirm acceptance of parking arrangements.

The Chairman reported that there had been no response to the letter concerning the Lease negotiations. He suggested that a meeting for the Liaison Committee should be arranged. This was agreed. Action: The Chairman to arrange a Liaison Committee meeting.

7.6 Parish Paths Partnership – Councillor Mrs Marshall circulated copies of the draft footpath maps. Prices had been obtained and they would be going to print soon. The cost of the map was discussed. Woolmer Green will be charging £2.00 per map, with a view to funding another print run in the future. This was felt to be too expensive. After discussion it was agreed at a suggested price of £1.00.

 

ITEM 8. Planning

New Applications

 3/07/0771/FP/SD – 31 Burnham Green Road. Detached double garage and car port with games room over

3/07/0774/FP/SD – 27 Burnham Green Road. Alteration to property incorporating existing approved design

3/07/0776/FP/CD – 1 Hawkins Hall Lane. Replacement dwelling

3/07/0742/FP/HS – 35 Burnham Green Road. Replacement dwelling

                                                          Applications Granted Permission (by EHDC)

3/07/0165/FP/GH - 108 Burnham Green Road (The Duck). Rear conservatory condition on use for purposes of a restaurant/pub

3/07/0631/FP – 11 Brookbridge Lane. Single storey side and rear extensions and front bay window

                                                          Applications Refused Permission (by EHDC)

3/07/0498/FP/JS – 6 Raffin Close. Rear conservatory to replace existing. Would result in a building of excessive size and out of keeping with the original dwelling

3/07/0380/FP/HS – Hawkins Hall, Watton Road. Demolition of existing garage and the erection of a replacement building to provide accommodation for carer. Objection on the grounds that planning guidance requires separate ancillary accommodation to be part of the main building. Contrary to local planning policy

3/07/0363/FP/GH – 29 Burnham Green Road. New front porch, two storey rear extension with environmental glazed solar hub. New hip to existing roof. Scale, siting and design would be of excessive size and out of keeping with the character of the house and the area

Appeals

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

3/07/0159/FP/AF – 86 Bramfield Road. Demolition of existing dwelling and garage and erection of new dwelling and garage.

                                                                  Enforcement Notice (EHDC)

E/06/0469/B – Pound Farm, Hollybush Lane

 

 

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The Van Hage Garden Company Planning Proposal. The Chairman and Councillor Charles reported on the meeting with John Glanville concerning the safety aspect of the proposed development. After a long discussion it was agreed that the PC should develop a two pronged attack to strengthen the chances of success for the objection:

1.       The Chairman should write to the Chairman of Stevenage Borough Council and copy County Councillor Bryan Hammond, the MP Barbara Follett and local Council members.

2.       Councillor Charles to write to Planning. Action: The Chairman and Councillor Charles to draft letters and copy Parish Councillors.

Councillor Mrs Marshall circulated the draft Planning Documents.

Councillor Mrs Marshall highlighted the Enforcement Notice that had been agreed by East Hers Council for a business operating at Pound Farm. Councillor Charles questioned the necessity for it; Councillor Mrs Marshall indicated it was out of the PC’s hands.

 

ITEM 9.  Main Items of Correspondence

EHC – BTs plans to change coin phone boxes to Card boxes

Noted – this was not open to discussion but a notification of a decision taken

Mary Coleman & Will O’Neil (email) – Copies of correspondence

Noted

Various – Correspondence re: co-opting of Councillors

See item 3

LubbockFine – Audit

The Clerk has a meeting with the newly appointed Internal Auditor on Wednesday, 16th May

Steve Carpenter – Copy of SBC Info

Taken into consideration in Item 8

EHC – Post election administration

The Clerk explained that more forms will need to be submitted when the new Code of Conduct is implemented

Sports Club – Parking for functions on the Green

Dealt with under Item 7.5

 

ITEM 10 Review and Approval of:

10.1 – Financial Regulations. The Clerk had circulated these and they were unchanged from last year. These were approved unanimously.

10.2 – Risk Assessment Policy. Again, this was unchanged from last year and was approved unanimously. Councillors agreed to carry out the Risk Assessment and report back at the next meeting, or sooner, to the Clerk, if urgent work was identified. Action: All Councillors to carry out Risk Assessment.

 

ITEM 11. Financial Report

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

Income:

HCC – Grass Cutting - £865

Revenue and Customs – VAT refund - £1541.56

Brian and June Packman – Turkey Farm Leased rent - £50.00

DVHMC – Maintenance - £2881.76

Outgoings:

Cheque Number: 212 – DART Electrical - £3386.09

                            213 – DVHMC - £500

                            214 – J. Adams – Litter - £107.00

                            215 – Mrs L. Chambers – Salary & Expenses - £430.01

 

Bank Balances – Cheque Account - £4254.99

Savings Account - £21739.11 - £1000 transferred into Cheque account

 

ITEM 11 Benefits and Concerns

Councillor Charles said that he felt a major concern was the prolonged and protracted arrangements for the co-option of new Councillors. This was agreed by all Councillors present.

 

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Councillor Brown reported that the Litter Picking day had been very successful with 10 people collecting 25-26 bags of litter plus several unusual items. The Chairman agreed this was a big benefit to the Parish.

 

ITEM 12 Dates of Next Meetings:

4th June  2007 @ 8.00 pm. This meeting was solely for the co-option of new Councillors and will be a ‘closed’ meeting

18th June 2007 @ 8.00pm – Monthly Parish Council Meeting

25th June 2007 @ 8.15 pm, in the Small Hall - The Annual Parish Meeting

 

                                                                                 

 

The meeting closed 9.15 pm