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DATCHWORTH PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD ON 18th JUNE 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

                        Mrs G. Lines

                        Mr J. Austin

                        Mrs F. Chambers

                        Mr T. Stowe

 

In Attendance – Mrs. L. Chambers – Clerk

 

ITEM 1 Apologies for absence – District Councillor Jackson

 

ITEM 2 Minutes of the last meeting on 14th May and the closed meeting on 4th June 2007 were agreed and signed as accurate.

 

ITEM 3 Co-opting of new Councillors. The Chairman welcomed Mrs Lines and Mr Stowe as the Co-opted members of the Council.

 

ITEM 4 Matters arising –

The Clerk reported that there had been an incident of someone driving to the Leisure plots when a Childminder was there with her charges. After discussion it was agreed that the incidents of this were getting worse. After a long discussion about the various options open to the PC, it was agreed to go ahead with the original plan for a three month trial. If this plan does not work, the PC may have to consider stopping access to the Turkey Farm by car permanently. Action: The Clerk to arrange for the barrier to be erected at the entrance to the track in the Turkey Farm.

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ITEM 5 Councillors’ appointments for the coming year:

Finance Committee – Councillors Mrs Marshall, Wilkins and Charles

Planning – Councillors Mrs Marshall, Charles, Pearman, Wilkins, Stowe and Austin

Highways – Councillor Brown

Playareas and Equipment – Councillors Mrs Lines and Brown

Herts. County Council and Health Matters – Councillor Mrs Marshall

Leisure Plots and Grass Cutting – Councillor Pearman

Trees, Shrubs and open spaces – Councillors Mrs Chambers and Mrs Lines

Village Hall Liaison – Councillor Mrs Chambers

Burnham Green Liaison – Councillor Wilkins

Parish Design Statement, Conservation, Rural Transport and Road Safety – Councillor Stowe

Surrounding Parishes Liaison – Councillor Wilkins

Parish Paths Partnership – Councillor Mrs Marshall

 

ITEM 6 Ongoing matters -

6.1 Play areas and equipment – The toddler swing at the play area on the Green had been reported as broken. This has now been repaired.

EHC had written to offer the Annual Inspection. It was agreed that this should be accepted. Action: The Clerk to confirm that the Parish Play Areas should be included in the Annual Inspection.

6.2 Highways – The Clerk reported that she had chased Raj Goutam at Highways for the outstanding issues, especially the boundary queries at Bulls Green and Bury Lane. These items were still under investigation with the legal department.

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Raj Goutam had also suggested he has a  walk around the Parish, with a Councillor, approx every three months. Councillor Brown agreed to this. Action: Councillor Brown to email available dates to the Clerk for passing to Raj Goutam at Highways.

There was a long discussion about the new surface at Bramfield road, but it was agreed that no action was appropriate at the moment.

6.3 Parish Design Statement – Councillor Stowe gave an update on the progress. The questionnaire is almost ready for distribution. He gave an outline of some of the problems being faced with distribution. An article will appear in the magazine to encourage volunteers for this.

6.4 Tree Survey – Councillor Charles reported that plans were underway for stage three to be completed in the autumn.

6.5 Sports Club – A meeting had been held with the Liaison Committee which had been productive. The Sports Club had received permission from EHC to carry out some preliminary work this summer. The Sports Club were studying the letter about the Lease and were taking legal advice. The Letter had achieved its aim.

The Clerk reported she had received no reply from the East Herts Officer recommended by District Councillor Jackson concerning the valuing of the Sports areas, despite chasing. The Chairman suggested contacting Simon Drinkwater. Action: the Clerk to write to Simon Drinkwater

6.6 Parish Paths Partnership – Councillor Mrs Marshall reported that a grant had been applied for. She gave an update of the progress with the printing of the maps.

 

ITEM 7. Planning

Applications Granted Permission by EHC

3/07/0771/FP – 31 Burnham Green – Detached double garage & Car Port with games room over.

3/05/0265/FP – 27 Burnham Green Road – Alteration to property incorporating existing approved design ref: 3/05/0265/FP

Appeals

3/07/0238/FP/JS – 45 Burnham Green Road – 2 storey rear extension

 

Councillor Charles reported he had been contacted by EH Planning concerning 31 Burnham Green Road with a possible view to listing the building. After discussion it was agreed the PC should take no action.

Van Hage Planning application – The Chairman reported that he will be attending the Stevenage BC Planning meeting on Tuesday night and pressing for the decision to be deferred due to Highways flawed report.

 

ITEM 8.1 Tennis Club

Fran Attrill had written on behalf of the Tennis Club to request assistance with their improvements to the Tennis Courts. It was agreed after discussion that the PC would support any grant applications that they make, but are unable to make a financial contribution. Action: the Clerk to write to Fran Attrill

8.2 Audit Approval

The Internal Audit had now been completed and was presented for approval. The Audit forms were signed by the Chairman.

The Internal Audit had highlighted some areas that needed discussion. It was agreed that these should be discussed by the Finance Committee, so the 2nd July was agreed for a meeting. Action: The Clerk to send the completed forms to the External Auditor and to book the Committee Room of the Village Hall for 2nd July meeting

 

ITEM 9.  Main Items of Correspondence

HCC –Review of Secondary School Places in Stevenage

No action required

EHC – Chairman’s Garden Party – 1st July

Noted

EHC – Re-tender for Grounds Maintenance Contract

Councillor Pearman gave an update of his meeting with Ian Sharrat concerning the areas of grass cut on behalf of EHC. This letter indicated that no action was now necessary if the PC are content with the

current arrangement. However there may be financial implications. It was agreed to leave this as it is for the present time

Knebworth PC – Parish Plan

Passed to the Chairman

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Barbara Follett

Await further comment concerning Highways

Tennis club – Request for help with financing repairs

Dealt with under item 8.1

Andy White – Mobile Catering service

After discussion, it was agreed there was no objection to this. The only concern was the possibility of impeding traffic in Nutcroft. Highways had been contacted for their comments. Action: the Clerk to write to Mr White

EHC – Playground inspection request

Dealt with under item 6.1

 

The Clerks Report

EHC keep receiving complaints from a resident in Nutcroft about Dog Fouling. This is the Parish Council’s responsibility however no-one has complained to the Clerk. The Clerk outlined the measures that are available, by law, for dealing with this problem however the most effective involves the complainant being prepared to attend Court, where up to £1000 fine can be imposed. The Complainant appears to be very unwilling to take this action. After a long discussion about the imposition of fixed penalty notices and the impracticality of this, it was agreed that an article should be written for the magazine. Action: The Clerk to write an article for the magazine

 

ITEM 10 Councillors Reports

Councillor Brown reported that the hedge beside the Village Hall car park is becoming overgrown. The Village Hall Management Committee usually arrange for this to be cut. Action: Councillor Mrs Chambers to raise with DVHMC

Councillor Charles had met with Mr Wright, who lives in Hollybush Lane. He had raised concerns in several areas in the past, and felt the PC had not been impartial as Mr Nash was on the Council at the time. Councillor Charles had said to Mr Wright that he personally was very supportive of the diversification of Agricultural Buildings and businesses in the Village, and this view was backed up by the PC. This was discussed at length.

The Chairman reported that he was chasing Ian Bishop concerning the surface outside Tebbutts

 

ITEM 11. District Councillor’s report – A written report had been sent to the Clerk:

Community Grants

At the budget this year I announced that I intended to set aside part of the Community Revenue Grants for each District Councillor to make recommendations relating to their wards – this means each councillor has £500 that they can recommend be applied as a grant to those in their wards who submit small grant requests.

If the Parish Council is aware of any groups within the village that would benefit for a small grant (i.e. £50 - £100) and which adds value in some way to the community or assists with some personal endeavour. Applications for sponsorship or granting to a charity would not normally be acceptable are acceptable.

Guidance notes are currently being developed and once available I will endeavour to send a copy to the Parish Council. Action: Await guidance and then identify appropriate Groups

 

Van Hage Development

I am greatly disappointed that Stevenage Borough Council did not consider it necessary to consult East Herts. Council regarding this application. Nevertheless, I have asked our planners to look at the application and if possible I will consider submitting a representation, even at this late stage. Action: Await further communication on representation at the Planning meeting

 

After discussion it was agreed the Tennis Club and the Cubs & Scouts were possible suggestions for the Community Grants

 

ITEM 12 Financial Report

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

Income:

Interest on deposit account - £38.34

EHC for Litter Picking - £1404.69

Precept – received 25/4/07 - £9573.00

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Outgoings:

Cheque Number: 216 – Gristwood and Toms – Tree Maintenance - £6868.46

                            217 - D. Overman – Repair to swings - £20.00

                            219 – J. Adams – Litter - £107.00

                            220 – Mrs L. Chambers – Salary and Expenses - £429.35

 

Bank Balances – Cheque Account - £3656.65

Savings Account - £20835.17 - £8000 transferred today                                                          

                      

ITEM 11 Benefits and Concerns

The Chairman said he was delighted to welcome Councillors Mrs Lines and Stowe as new members of the Parish Council

No concerns were expressed.

 

ITEM 13 – Dates of next meetings

Annual Parish Meeting – 25th June 2007 at 8.15pm Small Village Hall

                                         16th July 2007 at 8.00pm.

 

The meeting closed at 9.50pm