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HELD ON 17th
SEPTEMBER 2007
PRESENT:
Chairman – Mr. C.
Wilkins
Councillors – Mrs
V. Marshall
Mrs G. Lines
Mr T. Stowe
Mr. F. Pearman
Mr. T. Charles
Mr. J. Austin
Mrs F. Chambers
Mr. A. Brown
District
Councillor T. Jackson
In Attendance –
Mrs. L. Chambers – Clerk
ITEM 1 Apologies
for absence – Councillor T. Charles
apologised for arriving late.
ITEM 2 Minutes of the last meeting on 19th
August 2007 were agreed and signed as correct.
ITEM 3 Matters
arising –
District
Councillor Jackson reported that he had taken legal advice and was unable to
discuss individual cases. He confirmed the process of house allocation within
the parish had been applied appropriately. Any disagreement with the principle
of this process was a national Government issue and not a local Council issue.
Maintenance issues with Anglian Housing are being progressed.
The
Chairman reported on the meeting with the Leisure Plot users and the Bowls Club.
Notes had been circulated and he said it had been a positive meeting. A long
discussion followed about how the play area could be improved to move away from
the cars and a more efficient barrier system. The Chairman suggested that a
working party of three Councillors should be formed to look into the
alternatives and to obtain quotes to assess the viability of the suggestions.
Councillors Brown, Mrs Marshall and Mrs Lines agreed to form the working Party
and report back to the Council. Action:
Councillors Brown, Mrs Marshall and Mrs Lines to investigate various
alternatives.
The
Clerk had already obtained some grant information. District Councillor Jackson
said he would enquire about further grant availability with Claire Pullen at
EHC. Action: District Councillor
Jackson to make further enquiries.
Land
in front of Tebbutts – There is still confusion over who owns the land. After
discussion it was agreed to leave the situation as it was, in respect of the
PC’s involvement. It was agreed that there were too many unknowns for the PC to
become involved
The
Electric box behind the Village Hall – Councillor Mrs Lines reported that the
The
Chairman will report the situation to Rod Leggetter at the Rugby Club. Action: The Chairman to write to Rod
Leggetter.
ITEM 4 Ongoing
matters -
4.1 Play areas and
equipment –
Counsellor Mrs Lines had reviewed the RoSPA safety report and highlighted that
some work was urgently needed. It was agreed to include this within the working
Party review. The walking plank at the Play area in Burnham Green needed
replacing with a bigger one to prevent the recurrence of this problem: Action: The Clerk to arrange for the plank to
be replaced.
Councillor
Mrs Lines will arrange for someone to clean the safety tiles at the Datchworth
Green Play area: Action:
Councillor Mrs Lines to arrange for safety tiles to be cleaned.
The
Chairman reported that there had been complaints about dog fouling along
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It
was agreed that the Chairman should do a leaflet drop along the road to see if
there was demand for a dog bin. Action:
The Chairman to arrange for a leaflet drop.
4.2 Highways – Councillor Brown gave an
update on the outstanding issues from last month’s meeting. Very little
progress had been made. He will chase again and try for another meeting with
Raj Goutam. Action: Councillor
Brown to maintain pressure on Highways.
District
Councillor Jackson said he would pursue the outstanding issues as well. The
priorities being the missing road markings and boundary disputes. Action: District Councillor Jackson to
contact Highways.
The
Chairman reported that there had been a minor accident at the Crossroads and
suggested that a list of minor accidents should be kept. This was agreed;
however District Councillor Jackson said it was unlikely to provide enough
evidence for Highways to consider changing their view of the Crossroads. It was
agreed that the Clerk should place an article in the Magazine asking for detail
of any accidents or near misses.
Action: The Clerk to write article for the Magazine.
4.3 Parish Design
Statement – Councillor
Stowe reported that the committee were on target for having the questionnaire
out by the end of September.
4.4 Tree Survey – Nothing to report.
4.5 Sports Club – The Chairman reported that
they had held a meeting which was very positive.
Councillor
Mrs Lines said she had concerns about the events held on the green. Councillor
Austin suggested these should be limited to two a year. This was agreed for
next year.
The
Chairman said there had been a request from the Sports Club about storing the
Parking Cones. After discussion it was agreed these should be stored in the
tennis courts, in a secure wire cage; alternatively, the cones should be stored
at the Sports Club premises or by the play area.
4.6 Parish Paths
Partnership – Councillor
Mrs Marshall reported that the maps had gone for the last draught and should be
ready to bring to the next meeting.
ITEM
5. Planning
New Applications
3/07/1739/FP/SD
– Burnham Green Village Hall,
3/07/1888/FP/HS
–
3/07/1903/FP/HS
–
Applications
Granted Permission (by EHDC)
3/07/1355/FP/NB –
Applications
Refused Permission (by EHDC)
3/07/1519/FP/JS
–
Appeal Decision
1A
3/07/0159/FP/AF –
*
In circulation
ITEM 6. 1 Benington Wind Farm
The chairman reported
that there was an increase in Parish interest, although no planning application
had been submitted yet. District Councillor Jackson outlined EHC policy on
renewable energy. There followed a long discussion on general issues but until
a planning application is submitted, no action can be taken.
6.2 Applicants for Clerk’s position.
The Clerk reported that there had been three applications, which had been circulated to all Councillors. It was agreed that all three should be invited for interview. It was agreed that the interviews should be taken by The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Marshall and the Clerk on 2nd October at the Village Hall. Action: The Clerk to book the Village Hall and arrange for interviews.
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ITEM 7. Main Items of Correspondence
Chris Smethurst – request for Leisure Plot
The Clerk had informed Mr Smethurst to contact the Clerk next March
LubbockFine – Audit
A suggestion had been included that the Fidelity Guarantee should be increased to £25,000. After discussion this was agreed to be unnecessary.
HCC – Order for Bridleway at Raffin Green
Councillor Mrs Chambers had requested that the Clerk enquire
if the Bridleway is to be re-instated along the original route. Action: the Clerk to make enquiries.
Fran Attrill, Tennis Club – Another request for money
The Pc was unable to give any money to the Tennis Club.
Joe Williams – re-quote for hard standing
Contract Surfacing – Re-quote for hard standing
Quotes noted.
Roger Harris – CV
Helen Adams – CV
Interviews to be arranged.
The Clerk reported that the Solicitor had made suggestions for the letter concerning the new water main at Rose Cottage across the Green. The Clerk will send the letter to the residents of Rose Cottage.
ITEM
8 Councillors Reports
Councillor Mrs Chambers had received an approach about
ladies football training to take place on the
Councillor Austin said the Fish and Chip van has not commenced the service yet.
Councillor Stowe reported that there had been an incident at his neighbour’s house when the front door had been vandalised in the middle of the day, with no attempt to burgle the house
ITEM 9. District
Councillor’s report
District Councillor Jackson reported that Mr Clive Hodson-Smith had been appointed an Honory Alderman in recognition of his services to the Council.
As reported previously, District Councillor Jackson had £500
Members Grant to distribute in the Ward and he was considering the Young and
Elderly groups in Datchworth and Aston. He suggested that the Clerk ask the
Tennis Club to write to him as he may be able to consider them as well. Action: The Clerk to write to Fran Attrill
advising her to write to District Councillor Jackson.
ITEM 10 Financial
Report
In accordance with the Council’s financial regulations, the following transactions were approved
Income:
Interest on deposit
account - £41.22
Outgoings:
Cheque Number: 229 – LubbockFine Audit Fees - £334.88
230 – D. Overman – repairs to notice board - £20.00
231 – J. Adams – Litter - £107.00
232 – Mrs L. Chambers – Salary & expenses - £431.75
Bank Balances – Cheque Account - £4983.45
Savings Account - £12927.70
ITEM 11 Benefits and
Concerns
The main concern was the lateness of the meeting ending: a benefit was the excellent good humour of the meeting.
ITEM 12 – Dates of
next meetings
24th September 2007 at 8.00pm – Finance Sub-Committee meeting
15th October 2007 at 8.00pm – Full PC meeting
The meeting closed at 10.10pm