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DATCHWORTH PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD ON 17TH MARCH 2008

AT 8.00pm IN DATCHWORTH VILLAGE HALL

 

PRESENT:

 

Chairman –      Mr C Wilkins               

 

Councillors –   Mrs V Marshall             Mr T Charles

                                    Mrs G Lines                 Mr T Stowe                                          

                                    Mr F Pearman              Mr A Brown

Mrs F Chambers

 

District Councillor – Mr T Jackson

 

In Attendance –            Mrs W Prowle – Clerk

           

 

 

ITEM 1 Apologies for absence – Cllr. J Austin

 

ITEM 2 Minutes of the last meeting on 18th February 2008 – were agreed and signed as correct

 

ITEM 3 Matters arising – Nothing to discuss

 

 

ITEM 4 Ongoing Items

 

4.1 Play Areas/Equipment & Orchard

 

Turkey Farm – Cllr G Lines stated that she’s had 4 site visits from prospective suppliers to carry out the equipment and works required for the new play area. They have been given a budget and have been asked to come back to us with their tenders by the end of March 2008. At which point, grants and fundraising for the project will need to be sought. Action – Cllrs A Brown and G Lines to apply for grants and seek local fundraising help.

 

Orchard – Cllr V Marshall has received an invite to River Orchard open day at Sawbridgeworth on May 10th 2008. Unfortunately she is unable to attend, therefore cllrs A Brown and G lines will go in her place.

Action – Cllr V Marshall to forward details of open day to Cllrs A Brown and G Lines.

 

 

4.2 Highway Matters – Cllr A Brown stated that highways are replacing the white lines at last, although it would appear that we still await Baines Lane/Swangleys Lane to be done. Cllr A Brown was asked to chase highways on outstanding matters, expressing the Parish Councils considerable concern on the lack of cooperation.

 

Cllr T Charles has had a meeting with Bryan Hammond about the speed signage. They have agreed in principal to our suggestions to reduce the amount of repeater signs and moving the signs in Bury Lane. However, they stated that they couldn’t do anything about the 40mph signs.

 

 

4.3 Parish Design Statement – Cllr T Stowe notified us that the results to date will be published in April’s Parish Magazine. He has approached a few people to write articles to accompany the final report. Cllr V Marshall stated that Aston Parish Council had contacted her requesting the responses from Hooks Cross residents as to their opinions of which Parish they consider/prefer themselves to be. Action – Cllr V Marshall to email Cllr T Stowe’s Aston contact. Cllr T Stowe to forward views of Hooks Cross residents to Aston.

 

 

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4.4 Sports Club – Chairman C Wilkins had a meeting with Rod Leggetter to discuss the parking planning situation. The meeting finished with the two parties deciding to arrange a legal meeting with both lawyers to iron out any legal uncertainties. DSC has since decided to have this meeting without their lawyer present. The Parish Council discussed the feasibility of a ‘provisional overflow facility’ by reinforcing the grassed area, as opposed to a permanent parking surface. This was provisionally unanimously agreed to by the councillors subject to conditions. Concerns were raised over the legality of access to the field, passing areas on the access road and concern of expansion over the passage of time.  After a very long discussion, it was decided that the Parish Council would need to speak to their lawyer before proceeding any further. Action – Cllr C Wilkins to arrange a meeting with, N. Belcher and Cllr T Charles, prior to having another meeting with Derek, Bernie and Rod at DSC.

 

 

4.5 Parish Paths Partnership – Cllr V Marshall has received the new map for proof reading. Action – Cllr V Marshall to forward a copy of the map to Cllr G Lines to help with proof reading.

 

 

4.6 Inter-Village Liaison – Clerk W Prowle attended an informal meeting with other local clerks (Tewin, Benington and Watton.) Benington windfarm was briefly discussed, stating that the tester period had expired. Budget reports were discussed at which the clerk stated that she was looking in to simplifying DPC’s report layout. The clerk produced a copy of Tewins ‘binded’ minutes and stated that she’d like to have Datchworth Parish Councils minutes binded in the same way, at which the councillors agreed. Action – Chairman and clerk to meet before the next meeting to resolve the presentation of the accounts.

 

 

ITEM 5. Planning

 

18th Feb to 17th Mar 2008

 

 

New Applications

 

3/08/0339/FP/CT – 27 Raffin Green Lane. Single storey front extension *

3/08/0399/FP/HS – Double garage, minor variation on existing consent 3/07/0723/FP*

 

 

Applications Granted Permission (by EHDC)

 

3/08/0004/FP/SD – 23 Brookbridge Lane. Single storey rear extension and two new larger dormers to replace the two existing smaller rear dormers

 

 

Applications Refused Permission (by EHDC)

 

3/08/0062/FP/HS – Keepers Cottage, Bragbury Lane. Single storey extension to used as elderly relative annex. No special circumstances for  development within the Green Belt and the cumulative effect, excessive size, scale and siting are grounds for refusal

 

 

Appeals

 

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. Appeal to be heard on the 4th March at Wallfields Hertford

 

 

*      In circulation

**    To be reviewed at Parish Council Meeting

 

 

·         Dist. Cllr T Jackson asked for DPC’s opinions of the 1b Bramfield Road application. Cllr T Charles explained his concern over the boundary line. Dist Cllr T Jackson will speak to Planning Control about this issue.

 

 

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ITEM 6. Clerks – Main Correspondence & Reports

 

 

Glyn Day – Response to Ian Walker’s letter re: state of village hall (Tony C scanned to all)

EHDC – Planning appeal hearing re: 29 Burnham Green Road (passed to Viv)

EHDC – National Standards Planning Application Form (circulated to planning committee)

Mrs Cooper & Miss Ellis – letters of complaint re: blocking of Mrs Adorian’s field

Mr Briars – Copy of letter sent to EHDC re: objections to plans for 1b Bramfield Rd (TC scanned to all)

Stop Stansted Expansion – Offer of presentation to our council re: BAA’s second runway

Steve Arnold – Request for parking on tarmac area, galas 26th May & 29th August

EHDC – Missing dog bin in Turkey Farm, will be refunding 3 years emptying charges (£262.02)

Information Commissioner – Online free services              

EHDC – Planning for Gypsy & Traveller sites, document now open for public consultation until 16th May 2008. To access document and how to respond visit:

www.goeast.gov.uk

 

DVHMC – Invoice for Shanahan Contractors to clear blocked drains (£164.50 incl. VAT)

Kirkham Contracting – Invoice for tree work (£1169.13 incl. VAT)

EHDC – Notice of public hearing re: planning for change of use of land at Pound Farm. Hearing date: 27th March 2008 @ 10am

Fete Committee – Permission to use Village Green on Saturday 14th June 2008

HAPTC – Invoice for Councillors Workshop for Adam & Clerk (£50)

Kirkham Contracting – Invoice for grass cutting 2007/08 (£7305.99 incl. VAT)

Datchworth School PTA – Request to advertise ‘Grease’ fundraising event around the village

NAT’s – Air Traffic Control proposed airspace change in our area. Consultation period closes 22nd May 2008. To see proposals and provide feedback visit:

www.nats.co.uk/TCNconsultation

EHDC – Amended grass cutting offer £1262.73 for 2008/09

McMillan – Sponsored ‘Walk Wonders’ being held 11th May, Fairlands Valley, Stev. (passed to Parish Mag.)

EHDC – East Herts Rural Parish conference, to be held at Puckeridge 29th May. (Clerk + max 2 councillors recommended to attend)

BAA Stansted – DVD and Planning summary of Stansted Generation 2 (2nd runway planning)

 

 

·         The Clerk and Cllr A Brown attended a Councillors Workshop. A very informative event where a lot of legal procedures were learned. The importance of a Chairman’s allowance was also discussed at length. This was relayed to DPC, and the decision to adopt a Chairman’s allowance was decided to be put off until HAPTC’s survey was received, it would then be discussed again at a further date.

 

 

 

ITEM 7. Councillor’s Reports

 

Cllr F Chambers commented on a fly tipping incident in Raffin Green Lane. The incident involving a white van has been reported to the police. Cllr F Chambers was asked to report to EHDC Environmental Services to have the rubbish removed. Action – Cllr F Chambers to report to EHDC.

 

Cllr V Marshall attended the Inter Parish Conference where there were talks from The Bean Preservation Society and Community Development Agency.

 

Cllr F Pearman stated that the cherry tree on the pathway from Brookbridge Lane to Nutcroft had finally given up the ghost and fallen. He has since cleared the area.

 

Cllr T Charles complained about the eyesore of 1 Hawkins Hall Lane. Dist Cllr Jackson agreed to contact the planning department ascertain the delay in the work to be carried out. Action – Dist Cllr T Jackson to contact Planning Department.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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7.1               Village Hall – DVHMC Chairman, Ian Walker was unable to attend this meeting. However, he put forward a couple of dates that would be suitable to him. It was agreed that we would have a meeting with Ian and a couple of other members of the DVHMC on 12th May 2008. Also, as requested by Ian Walker, the councillors inspected the village hall. Overall, the councillors were happy with the present condition of the hall, it had been tidied up to a good standard, although it was felt that maybe a lick of paint on the walls would help freshen the room up. Dist Cllr T Jackson stated that Annie Dexter had approached him about claiming a grant from EHDC towards the village hall works. Action – Clerk to book committee room for 12th May and to contact Ian Walker to arrange a meeting.

 

 

ITEM 8.            District Councillor’s Report – Dist Cllr T Jackson discussed the Air Traffic Control proposal (NATs – see clerks correspondence). He stated that it should be more a good thing for us, rather than bad. Although Cllr T Charles had concerns that the proposals could encourage even more in the way of low flying helicopters. Dist Cllr T Jackson said that he would bare this in mind for any future consultations on the subject.

 

EHDC are backing the fight against the 2nd runway at Stansted Airport, they see no justified reason for the need of a 2nd runway.

 

The brown recycling bins are on their way round this week for residents to put their garden waste. As of next year, these bins will also take food waste and cardboard.

 

The council tax increase for EHDC has been set at 4 ½ %

 

 

ITEM 9. Financial Reports

 

Bank Balance @ 18/02/08:

 

  1258.25           -           Current A/c  

21196.69           -           Deposit A/c

22454.94           -           TOTAL

 

Income:

 

    64.71            -           Bank interest on deposit A/c

2602.00             -           EHDC – Grass cutting

  140.00            -           DVHMC (Shanahan Contractors)

2806.71 -           TOTAL

 

Expenditure:

 

  164.50            -           Shanahan Contractors (DVHMC) (258)

7305.99 -           Kirkham Contracting - Grass (259)

    50.00            -           HAPTC – Councillors Workshop (260)

1169.13 -           Kirkham Contracting - Trees (261)

  494.43            -           Saleries & Expenses (262, 263)

9184.05 -           TOTAL

 

Bank Balance @ 17/03/08:

 

  2816.20           -           Current A/c 

13261.40           -           Deposit A/c

16077.60           -           TOTAL

 

N.B.      The VAT for this year has yet to be claimed (£3855)

            Await invoice from EHDC for dog bin emptying.

 

 

ITEM 10. Benefits & Concerns – Nothing mentioned

 

ITEM 11. Date of Next Meeting: 21st April 2008 @ 8.00pm.

The meeting closed at 10.00 pm