1066

 

 

DATCHWORTH PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD ON 19th November 2007

AT 8.00pm IN DATCHWORTH VILLAGE HALL

 

PRESENT:

Chairman –      Mr C Wilkins

Councillors –   Mrs V Marshall             Mr T Charles

                                    Mrs G Lines                 Mr J Austin

                                    Mr T Stowe                   Mrs F Chambers

                                    Mr F Pearman              Mr A Brown

 

 

In Attendance –            Mrs L Chambers & Mrs W Prowle – Clerks

           

 

 

ITEM 1 Apologies for absence – District Councillor T Jackson.

 

ITEM 2 Minutes of the last meeting on 15th October 2007 were agreed and signed as correct.

 

ITEM 3 Matters arising – Nothing to discuss

 

ITEM 4 Ongoing Matters

 

4.1 Play Areas & Equipment

 

Turkey Farm - Cllr. V Marshall has arranged for Cllr. G Lines to meet up at the Turkey Farm play area with Mrs Carol Moore and her class from Datchworth School at 9am on 29th November to discuss ideas for new play equipment. Cllr. A Brown has been looking into prices for barriers/bollards. Total cost could reach around £2000. Other options were suggested such as wooden railing, logs, telegraph poles & railway sleepers. Rounded shapes were preferred to square as cutting the grass around them was neater. The telegraph poles could be an option. It was decided to put action on hold re: barrier. Action – Cllr G Lines to meet at Turkey Farm 29/11/07. Cllr V Marshall to maintain contact with Datchworth School. Cllr A Brown to obtain prices for logs/telegraph poles.

 

Orchard – We are in the process of claiming a grant from ‘Breathing Spaces’ lottery initiative for funding towards the new orchard. Action – When grant application received, Cllr V Marshall to process.

 

Burnham Green – Chairman C Wilkins attended a meeting with Burnham Green on 8th November where they discussed enclosure of the play area to protect children from the road with a gate at the car park side. Burnham Green will fund this at their own expense, and DPC are to still fund the maintaining of the equipment. Cllr A brown has been looking into prices for the repairs of the equipment, and is awaiting an estimate from Leisure Logs who he deemed reasonable with their prices. Action – Cllr A Brown to retrieve estimates.

 

Datchworth Green – Yet to be cleaned. Action – Cllr G Lines to organise

 

4.2 Highway Matters

 

Cllr T Charles showed a map and explained the areas in/around the village to have new speed restrictions/signage/road markings. There was a long discussion on the proposed new signage/markings and the suitability of the areas for these to be placed. An article is being placed in next months Parish Magazine and the map will be on display in the Village Hall. All work is being aimed to be finished by the end of this financial year. Action – Cllr T Charles to email confirmation to Highways to confirm agreement to the proposed plans.

 

Raj Goutam has been in touch with Chairman C Wilkins. He now accepts that the road markings at several junctions has not been done and will get onto it.

 

 

 

1067

 

Cllr. A Brown asked if there had been any progress concerning traffic calming measures requested by Mrs Chapman along Burnham Green Road. Chairman C Wilkins reported that although there had been two accidents recently in the area they had not been serious enough, measured against Highways criteria, to merit any consideration.

 

Cllr. A Brown reported that Raj Goutam had written to the residents in Hawkins Hall Lane concerning the parking on the verge. The only action left was to install bollards in the area. This was agreed as unacceptable.

 

4.3 Parish Design Statement

 

The questionnaire is now being distributed and is available on the web (www.datchworthparishplan.co.uk) Cllr T Stowe is urging everyone in the village to complete the questionnaire – one per person, not one per household. Preliminary results of the questionnaire will be published in the Parish Magazine some time next year.

 

4.4 Tree Survey – Cllr T Charles will respond to a letter from Mr Bateman with reference to tree number 65. Action – Cllr T Charles to write/contact Mr Bateman

 

4.5 Sports Club – The fireworks display was discussed. It was felt that parking and safety were still not organised effectively. However, there have been no official complaints and the display didn’t go on too long. Chairman C Wilkins will be attending a meeting with DSC on 3rd December. Action – Cllr. C Charles to contact solicitor to seek some clarification.

 

4.6 Parish Paths Partnership – Cllr V Marshall produced a lovely report on the Parish Paths project. HCC have agreed to a grant to fund the replacement of stiles with kissing gates. HCC will also look into the areas that have problems caused by badgers/rabbits. Andrew Marr has picked up on a path being used, but isn’t classed as a footpath, running from Nutcroft to Raffin Park, claiming that if it has been in use as a path for 20 years or more it can be declared a footpath. Andrew asked if we would support a proposal to put this suggestion forward to HCC as an official footpath. Cllr F Pearman suggested that we approach the owner of the land prior to further intervention. Action – Clerk W Prowle to contact Mrs Adorian

 

4.7 Inter-Village Liaison – Clerk W Prowle has been in contact with Caroline McFarlane (Tewin’s Parish Clerk) A meeting is being held at Caroline’s house on 6th December for clerks in the surrounding villages to get together, where a new computer software package for council clerks will also be demonstrated.

 

ITEM 5. Planning

New Applications

 

3/07/2129/FP/CD – 1 Hawkins Hall Lane. Proposed replacement dwelling

3/07/2125/FP/HS – Keepers Cottage Bragbury Lane. Single storey extension to used as elderly relative annexe

3/07/2163/FP/JS – 53 Brookbridge . Lane. Two storey rear extension and single storey side extension over existing roof.

3/07/2006/FP/JS – Hoppers Lodge, Bramfield Road. Conversion of detached garage to ancillary accommodation-playroom/study/guest accommodation, remove existing garage door and replace with folding doors *

3/07/2211/FP/HS – Rocklodge, 21 Raffin Green Lane. Loft conversion comprising of alteration to roof to form gable end and 2 no. dormer windows “

 

 

Stevenage Borough Council 07/007/46/LB – Bragbury End Farmhouse. Internal alterations to facilitate change of use from office and flat to dwelling house

3/07/2233/FP/AK – 10 Datchworth Green. Two storey rear extension

 

Applications Granted Permission (by EHDC)

 

3/07/1646/FP/NB – 1A Raffin Park. Single storey front extension with open porch, side and rear single storey extensions and raise roof at first floor to create a pitched roof

3/07/1903/FP/HS – 9 Orchard Road. Single storey rear extension

/07/1888/FP/HS – Hawkins Hall Watton Road. Single storey side extension

3/07/1739/FP/SD- 14 Orchard Road, Adjacent Burnham Green Village Hall. Extension to car park

1068

 

 

3/07/1938/FP/NB – 29 Burnham Green Road. New front porch, two storey rear extension with environmental glazed solar hub

 

3/07/2305/FP/HS - 59 Burnham Green Road. Ground and first floor extensions, raising of roof ridge and the incorporation of the garage as part of the dwelling.

 

Application Withdrawn

 

3/07/1947/FP/SCD – Off Watton Road, adjacent  H  Park Crematorium. Natural Cemetery. Application withdrawn due to waste level and ground works needing to be sorted before resubmission next year.

 

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 The informal hearing for this appeal will take place on the 29th November 2007

 

3/07/0238/FP/Js – 45 Burnham Green Road. 2 storey rear extension. Appeal dismissed

 

ITEM 6. Budget

 

6.1 DVHMC’s request for more money from DPC was discussed/reviewed at great length. A proposed increase of 3% per year from when the previous amount was set, amounting to £2100 for 2008/2009 financial year, was suggested. However it was felt that issues needed to be looked into further, therefore Chairman C Wilkins will meet with DVHMC Chairman and DPS Chairperson to discuss financial issues. Action – Chairman C Wilkins to arrange meeting with the Chairpersons of DVHMC & DPS.

 

6.2 EHC grass cutting issues were discussed at length. A decision was finally reached that we will stick to using Kirkhams for our grass cutting, despite EHDC recommendations.

 

Due to the above issues a decision was reached to raise the precept to 5%, amounting to £20102, for the 2008/2009 financial year. Action: the Clerk to submit the Precept claim form.

 

ITEM 7. Clerks Correspondence & Reports

 

DPS - Request to advertise Xmas Fayre around village - granted

The Carter Charitable Trust – Awarded £750 grant towards cost of notice boards (Parish Paths)

Mr Bateman – Tree 65, adjacent to 97 Datchworth Green – Cllr T Charles to pursue

DVHMC – Letter re: safety of electrical meter. – Chairman C  Wilkins to contact Rod Leggetter

NALC – Salary Award for clerks, 2.49% applicable from 1st April 2007.

NALC – Affiliation fees 2008/2009 - 4.93 pence per elector.

VHMC – Capital Expenditure report

Datchworth School – Letter re: parking issue. – discussed, Clerk to write to Datchworth School

DSC – Response re: firework display.

EHDC – Electronic planning

DVHMC – Fire detection system - £3100.00

Andrew’s Exterior Services – Lock & key to Turkey Farm barrier - £62.00

Dart Electricals – Fire detection system - £3642.50

Stevenage & North Herts Action Plan – Key issues & options consultation

SBC – Core strategy & generic development control preferred options

NALC – Local council review

EHDC – Code of Conduct training sessions (29/11 to 19/12/07)

Go East – East of England plan & response form

Stop Stansted Expansion – Request for financial support

S&C Slatter – Playground surfaces

WHDC – Local development framework core strategy (notes from workshop held 07/11)

HCC – Building schools for the Future

 

The prices for new dog waste bins were given to the Chairman.

The clerk also reported 4 more near misses at the crossroads, although still nothing substantial.

 

 

1069

 

ITEM 8. Councillor’s Reports

 

Cllrs V Marshall & T Stowe attended a Parish Council consultation at WHDC. Cllr V Marshall is liaising with HCC to sort out the lease with regards to Burnham Green.

 

 

A request has been made for more information from the DPC meetings to be written up in the Parish Magazine. Action – Chairman C Wilkins to do an article for the Parish Magazine.

 

The hedge has been cut along side the Tilbury/Watton Road. (by Cllr F Pearman)

 

Cllr T Stowe has approached many residents in Hooks Cross, and preliminary indications are that they prefer to stay in Datchworth and not Aston.

 

ITEM 9. District Councillors Report – Not present at meeting

 

 

ITEM 10. Financial Reports

                                   

Income:

 

3100.00 -           DVHMC – Dart Electricals (fire detection system)

  750.00            -           The Carter Charitable Trust (notice boards/Parish Paths)

    40.44            -           Bank interest on deposit A/c

      3.11            -           2 ½ % consol

 

Expenditure:

 

  110.40            -           J. Adams – Litter (237)

  450.55            -           L. Chambers – salary & expenses (238)

    62.00            -           Andrew’s Exterior Services – lock/key to Turkey Farm barrier (239)

3642.50 -           Dart Electricals – fire detection system (240)

  338.20            -           W. Prowle – salary (241)

 

Bank Balances:

 

  3960.61           -           Current A/c 

21009.80           -           Deposit A/c

 

ITEM 11. Benefits & Concerns

Another late finish, although it was felt that plenty was discussed.

 

The Chairman reminded the meeting for Lesley Chambers as the Parish Clerk. A presentation was made to acknowledge her good work she has done over the last five years.

 

 

ITEM 12. Date of Next Meeting: 17th December 2007 @ 8.00pm.

 

           

The meeting closed at 10.25pm