DRAFT

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DATCHWORTH PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD ON 21ST APRIL 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           Mr J Austin

 

 

In Attendance –            Mrs W Prowle – Clerk

                                    Mr Ralph White

           

 

 

ITEM 1 Apologies for absence – Dist. Cllr. T Jackson

 

ITEM 2 Minutes of the last meeting on 17th March 2008 – were agreed and signed as correct

 

ITEM 3 Matters arising – Nothing to discuss

 

 

ITEM 4 Ongoing Items

 

4.1 Play Areas/Equipment & Orchard

 

The Turkey Farm play area working party has received 4 sets of plans/quotes from prospective suppliers, all coming in with quotes from £30,000 to £35,000.  Two of the company’s were favourable, these being Lapset & Setter Play. The Parish Council were shown the plans from these two companies. After discussion, Lapset were more favourable due to the sturdiness of the equipment, however it was decided that the Parish Council would probably opt for just two of the pieces of equipment for the immediate future. These being the zip wire and climbing tower/bridge. Each of these are at a cost of around £7,500 including safety matting, although the necessity of the high grade safety matting under the zip wire is to be questioned. Action – Working party to visit other Lapset play areas, sort out final cost & design and pursue grants available a.s.a.p.

 

The vehicular access through the Turkey Farm was also discussed, as it was felt that a decision must be made prior to the new play equipment being installed. Cllr J Austin proposed that the Bowls Club supply details of disabled members, and that only they are given access. After much discussion it was decided that the working party will need to meet with two representatives from the Bowls Club, two representatives from the allotments and the Chairman of the Parish Council. Action – Chairman C Wilkins to arrange meeting.

 

Burnham Green swings are still not repaired. However, a new timber beam has been supplied and fitting needs to be arranged. Action – Clerk to contact D. Overman to arrange repair.

 

 

4.2 Highway Matters – Chairman C Wilkins received a letter from a member of the public, stating that the speed signage that is to be placed in the village is ‘unnecessary urbanisation’. The Parish Councils position on this has been explained to him by Cllr A Brown by telephone. Action – Clerk to acknowledge receipt of letter.

 

Cllr A Brown has got a meeting arranged with Raj at HCC on 30th April to discuss many outstanding Highways issues, many of which the Parish Council has indicated that their patience has run out and that Cllr A Brown must make this clear to them.

 

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 4.3 Parish Design Statement – Cllr T Stowe stated that an article about the Parish Plan was in this month’s Parish Magazine, although he hasn’t had any response to this. However, it is hoped that people were at least encouraged to access the website to have a look at the results so far, some very interesting reading. The Chairman forwarded an article to be included in the final Design Statement.

 

Aston Parish Council has been in contact with Cllr T Stowe with regards to them being under the impression that we were to approach Aston residents of Hooks Cross for their views on which parish they consider/prefer to be in. Cllr T Stowe replied to this by stating that we have approached the Datchworth Hooks Cross residents with this question, but Aston residents were the responsibility of Aston Parish Council.

 

4.4 Sports Club – To be discussed at a closed meeting.

 

 

4.5 Parish Paths Partnership – Cllr V Marshall stated that the proof reading of the maps is completed and asked if the map could be put on the website. Action – Viv to arrange for Nick to contact Cllr T Charles to have map put on website.

 

Restricted Byway from Raffin Green Lane to A602 – Plans received from HCC were passed around the Council, as well as letters of objection from some residents. After some discussion it was decided that the Parish Council would contact HCC to object to these plans, however we would support to re-open as a bridleway. Action – Clerk to contact HCC to submit objection.

 

 

4.6 Inter-Village Liaison – Nothing to report.

 

 

ITEM 5. Damage to Back Lane – Ralph White attended the meeting to discuss the damage to Back Lane being caused by off-road vehicles. The vehicles are not only driving along Back Lane, but are also entering privately owned surrounding fields and woods. Police have been out to the area on a couple of occasions and one of the land owners has erected wooden posts to stop them from entering his field. Whilst the Parish Council explained that the vehicles are legally allowed along Back Lane, it would appear something needs to be done to stop the damage and entry to private land. A couple of options were put forward 1) to secure the private land running off Back Lane. 2) contact HCC in view of completely shutting off Back Lane during the winter months. Action – Clerk to contact HCC to look into the feasibility of shutting off Back Lane.

 

 

ITEM 6. Planning

 

17th Mar to 19th April 2008

 

New Applications

 

3/08/0467/FP/JS – 94 Burnham Green. Retrospective change of use from agricultural to garden and parking area*

3/08/0475/FP/JS - 53 Brookbridge Lane. Proposed first floor side and two storey and single storey rear extensions *

3/08/0552/FP/MC – 1A Raffin Green Lane. To erect a timber garage to the front of the property with tiled roof. *

3/08/0373/OP/SD – 1 Hawkins Hall Lane. Outline planning permission for 6 one bedroom apartments with car parking and ancillary works  **

 

 

Applications Granted Permission (by EHDC)

 

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

3/08/0182/FP/LH – Lismore, 1B Bramfield Road.Two chalet bungalows with integral garage

 

 

*      In circulation

**    To be reviewed at Parish Council Meeting

 

The new plans for 1 Hawkins Hall Lane were discussed at the meeting. They were strongly objected by all on several grounds.

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ITEM 7. Clerks – Main Correspondence & Reports

 

BDO Stoy Hayward – Local Council Briefing for 2008 audit

BDO Stoy Hayward – Annual Audit – going to internal auditor this week

E & NH NHS Trust – Foundation Trust Consultation Documents

Herts County Show – 24th & 25th May 2008. Flyers & posters – I’ve agreed to advertise on behalf of the late Betty Clarke’s daughter

Friends of the Earth – Invitation to Climate Change Bill Public Meeting 22nd April 2008, London

EHDC – Dog bin emptying charge to increase from £92 to £152 per bin per year

HAPTC – Booking form for ‘Chairmanship Skills’ course, Woolmer Green, 4th June 2008

Alan Massam – Letter he sent to Wally Emms re: Byway from Raffin Green Lane to A602

HCC – Plans/Orders re: byway from Raffin Green Lane to A602  

Allianz Insurance PLC – Insurance renewal (£1412.40)

Aston Parish Council – Letter re: Survey of Hooks Cross residents (Tony Stowe dealing with)

HAPTC – Annual subscription for membership to HAPTC & NALC (£655.03)

Neil & Emma Colverd (The Homestead) – Letter of concern re: restricted byway proposal from Raffin Green Lane to A602 – I’ve contacted them advising they send a copy of this letter to Angela Higson at HCC.

EHDC – Letter from BT proposing removal of 52 telephone boxes incl. Datchworth Green, Hawkins Hall Lane, Burnham Green Road & Lower Green (Tewin) – comments to EHDC by 27th June 2008. Action – Clerk to lodge an objection

Stevenage Borough Council – Request for views on planning application for 64 dwellings on the old Van Hage site (passed to Viv/Tony – plans available online)

EHDC – Grass cutting offer upped by £173.89 (to £1436.62) to cover some housing association areas of grass that we cut.

 

 

·         The working party for the memorial seating area at the Turkey Farm was a great success. Approximately 10 residents turned up to help. The area is much cleaner and tidier now, although a bit more work is required when the weather improves.

·         There seems to be a high demand for allotments at the moment. All of the existing allotments are taken, with another 8 people at present on the waiting list. It was agreed that we could re-open 3 grassed over allotments. Action – Clerk to arrange re-opening of grassed over plots.

·         EHDC letter re: removal of telephone boxes (above)  Action – Clerk to lodge an objection

 

 

ITEM 8. Councillor’s Reports

 

Cllr F Chambers has received correspondence from residents in Nutcroft with reference to unsuitable residents in the area. The complaints received are in the form of loud music, swearing, arguing, fighting and dogs. She has also received correspondence from a tenant on Datchworth Green with reference to having no hot water or heating for long periods of time on several occasions. Action – Cllr F Chambers to report these issues to Dist Cllr T Jackson.

 

 

ITEM 9.            District Councillor’s Report – Nothing to Report.

 

 

ITEM 10. Financial Reports

 

Bank Balance @ 17/03/08:

 

  2816.20           -           Current A/c   

13261.40           -           Deposit A/c

16077.60           -           TOTAL

 

Income:

 

    56.55            -           Bank interest on deposit A/c

3874.44             -           VAT return 2007/08

  100.00            -           Hardy & Packman – Leased Land

  140.00            -           Allotment rents

      1.00            -           Bowls Club rent

4171.99 -           TOTAL

 

 

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Expenditure:

 

  128.24            -           EHDC – Dog bin emptying (264)

  655.03            -           HAPTC & NALC Subscriptions (265)

1412.40 -           Allianz Insurance PLC (266)

  494.43            -           Salaries & Expenses (267/268)

2690.10 -           TOTAL

 

Bank Balance @ 21/04/08:

 

  4241.54           -           Current A/c 

13317.95           -           Deposit A/c

17559.49           -           TOTAL

 

 

ITEM 11. Benefits & Concerns – It was nice to have Ralph White attending the meeting.

 

 

 

ITEM 12. Date of Next Meetings:

 

12th May 2008 – DPC & DVHMC @ 8.00pm

19th May 2008 – AGM @ 8.00pm

20th May 2008 – APM @ 8.00pm

 

           

The meeting closed at 10.15 pm