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HELD ON 16th
JULY 2007
PRESENT:
Chairman – Mr. C.
Wilkins
Councillors – Mrs
V. Marshall
Mr. A. Brown
Mrs G. Lines
Mrs F. Chambers
Mr T. Stowe
District
Councillor T. Jackson
In Attendance –
Mrs. L. Chambers – Clerk
Also Present – Mrs
J. Jackson - Parishioner
ITEM 1 Apologies
for absence – Councillors J. Austin, T.
Charles and F. Pearman
ITEM 2 Minutes of the last meeting on 18th June
2007 – The Chairman said the Liaison
Councillors for the Sports Club should be shown as the Chairman, Councillors
Charles and Austin.
District Councillor
Jackson said the last sentence of the second paragraph of his report should be
amended to ‘...not normally be acceptable but will now be considered’ as this
makes more sense. With these amendments, the Minutes were agreed and signed as
correct.
Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting on 25th
June 2007 were agreed and signed as correct.
ITEM 3 Matters
arising –
Mr
Wright of
Van
Hague Development – the Chairman reported that the outline Planning permission
had been granted. District Councillor Jackson gave an update on the situation
regarding the ongoing fight against this application, by the residents of
ITEM 4 Ongoing
matters -
4.1 Play areas and
equipment – The
Clerk reported that some minor repairs had been done to the play area at
Burnham Green. Councillor Brown reported that he had inspected all of the play
areas; he had noticed that the a frame of the swing at Burnham Green was
rotting. It would be ok for the short term but will need attention soon.
The
seat at Nutcroft play area had lost one of the back struts. Councillor Mrs
Chambers will arrange for it to be looked at with a view to removing the
remaining back strut and make it a bench. Action: Councillor Mrs Chambers to arrange for the seat to repaired/made
safer.
4.2 Highways – Mr Wright of
Proposed
Zig-Zag lines at the School – the Clerk reported the first she knew about this
plan was when the plans arrived Friday in a general letter about all schools
being included. Councillor Charles was opposed to the plan and felt it would
make the area more dangerous with parking. It was agreed that the Clerk should
write to Highways. Action: The
Clerk to write to Danny Kyan at Highways
District
Councillor Jackson reported that he had asked Councillor Nigel Poulton, in his
position as Chair of the Joint Members Panel, to raise Highways lack of
consultation in three key areas.
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4.3 Parish Design
Statement – Councillor
Stowe reported that an article will be in the August Parish Magazine, trying to
generate interest. The questionnaire was nearly completed and will be ready for
circulation, probably in September. Councillor Stowe stressed a good response
of 70% or more was essential for the questionnaire.
4.4 Tree Survey – Nothing to report.
Councillor
Mrs Lines reported that a tree in the Turkey Farm had metal pins and plates
driven into it, probably in an attempt to kill it. It was the tree that was
believed to have caused drainage damage last year, and was due to be removed as
part of the tree work. Action:
the Clerk to check with Councillor Charles when the tree is to be removed.
4.5 Sports Club – There is a meeting
scheduled but nothing further to report. The Clerk reported that she still had
not received any advice from Martin Shrosbee re: valuation of playing areas. Action: District Councillor Jackson to chase.
4.6 Parish Paths
Partnership – Councillor
Mrs Marshall reported that the Grant had now been received and she understood
that another application had been successful but was not sure how much it was
worth. The Map was with the Artist and the final draft should be available next
month.
ITEM
5. Planning
18th June
to 14th July 2007
New Applications
3/07/1254/FP/CP
– Land adjacent to 56 Datchworth Green. New detached house. Objection on the
grounds that the design is not in
keeping with surrounding properties
3/07/1143/FP/SD
– 54 Nutcroft. First floor rear extension
3/07/1355/FP/NB –
Applications Refused Permission (by EHDC)
3/07/0742/FP/HS
–
3/07/0776/FP/CD –
Appeals
3/07/0238/FP/Js –
Stevenage Borough
Council have given approval to an outline application for 64 dwellings on the
Van Hage Garden Centre site at Bragbury End
The Clerk
reported that she had a long conversation with the applicant for the land
adjacent to 56 Datchworth Green. She had been told that objections by the PC
had been the reason for the refusal. She had been given the phone number of the
Chairman but there had been no further contact.
ITEM 6.1 Risk
Assessment Approval
The risk Assessment had now been completed.
It was circulated and approved.
6.2
Problems with Housing Association.
Mrs Colman had asked for the PC help with
problems with a hedge at the Annual Parish Meeting. Councillor Charles had been
involved originally. It was agreed to Liaise with Councillor Charles to see
what happened at the meeting. Action:
the Clerk to liaise with Councillor Charles.
ITEM 7. Main Items of Correspondence
John Wallace – Car Park rent invoice
Requested from Sports Club
Barbara Follett – response re SBC and Van Hage Planning application
Noted
Herts. Constabulary – Dangers of Sub-station vandalisation
Noted and leaflets placed at Village Hall
Go-East – Acknowledgement of representations made on proposed changes to consultation Document
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Datchworth Bowls Club – Concerns re: barrier at Turkey Farm
The barrier has been erected across the track on the Turkey
Farm, although not locked yet. The issue over who should be allocated keys and
the issues raised in the letter from the Bowls Club was discussed at length. It
was agreed that keys should be issued to the Leisure Plot Holders and the Bowls
Club. A letter should be written to the Bowls Club explaining why this action
has been taken and that it was a trial period of 3 months at the moment. Action: The Clerk to write to the Bowls
Club.
Leisure Plot Holders should be written to explaining why
this action has been taken and invited to collect a key from the Clerk. Action: the Clerk to write to the Leisure
Plot Holders.
The barrier will be locked in two weeks time.
HCC – Road markings at school
Dealt with under Highways
Three Valleys – Water
Rates
Bowls Club element requested
The Clerks Report
The Clerk reported that a request had been received for the
Hedges in
ITEM
8 Councillors Reports
Councillor Brown reported that glass had been broken on the hard play area. He had cleaned it up and would monitor the situation.
Councillor Mrs Chambers asked if the PC wanted the hedges
cut at the pond in
Councillor Mrs Chambers reported that there had been
motorbikes ridden on the fields behind the houses in
The Chairman said he was still pursuing the ownership of the access area in front of Tebbutts in Burnham Green.
Councillor Mrs Lines queried the number of advertising boards attached to fences and trees around the Village. The Chairman declared an interest as one of the advertisers is working at his house. The Chairman reassured Councillor Mrs Lines, that the firm were working where the signs were.
ITEM 9. District
Councillor’s report
District Councillor Jackson gave a report on the ongoing issue of providing leisure facilities in the region.
ITEM 10 Financial
Report
In accordance with the Council’s financial regulations, the following transactions were approved
Income:
HCC for P3 Grant -
£1000.00
Interest on deposit
account – £57.72
Outgoings:
Cheque Number
218 – D.J.Overman - £30.00 – Repairs to play equipment at Burnham Green
221 – Three Valleys –£99.34 - Water Rates
222 – John W.M.Wallace - £65.81 – Car Park Rent
223 - J.Adams – Litter - £107.00
224 – Mrs L. Chambers - £454.74 – Salary and Expenses
Bank Balances – Cheque Account - £5639.64
Savings Account - £12835.17
The Chairman reported that the Finance Committee had met to discuss two issues:
1. The Clerk wishes to resign the position of Clerk. She will stay until a replacement has been found and there will be a cross over period. Hopefully this will be achieved by Christmas but definitely within a year.
The Chairman said it was a shame as she was a great asset to the PC.
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Councillor Mrs Chambers suggested that when a new Clerk is appointed, a phone line should be installed for the purpose of PC work thus ensuring that the Clerk is not on duty all day, every day. This was agreed as a good idea.
2. The Finance Committee had assessed the financial
situation and suggested that the hard standing on the Turkey Farm should be
repaired. The Clerk had requested one quote. Councillor Mrs Lines said she knew
of someone else and will request a quote. The Chairman said that the
Councillors should give some thought to other projects that may be considered.
Action: The Clerk and Councillor Mrs
Lines to obtain quotes.
ITEM 11 Benefits and
Concerns
The main benefit was District Councillor Jackson’s presence which was helpful.
The main concern was the Clerk’s resignation. Councillor Mrs Lines said it was a shame; this was agreed by all.
ITEM 13 – Dates of
next meetings
20th August 2007 at 8.00pm
The meeting closed at 9.40pm