Hempstead in Essex
Resting place of William Harvey and Sir Eliab Harvey and birthplace of Dick Turpin

Parish Council Minutes 10th June 2010

10th June 2010

CONFIRMED MINUTES OF A PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON
THURSDAY 10 JUNE 2010
The Council met in the Village Hall on Thursday 10 June 2010 at 8pm.

Present:

Also Present:

  • PC Nicola Lark

Apologies:

  • Cllr Simon Walsh, Essex County Council
  • Cllr Sue Schneider, Uttlesford District Council
  • Mrs Sara Scott
Before the meeting opened, PC Lark updated the Council on recent actions that had been taken following a number of criminal incidents in the village. Discussion ensued regarding outstanding statements required and whether there were any “community service” activities that could be allocated to the offenders in an attempt to repay the villagers for the problems caused. PC Lark stated that she was committed to resolving this problem and will continue to maintain law and order in the long term.

PC Lark then left the meeting.

The Chairman opened the meeting at 9pm.

  1. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 13 MAY 2010

    were taken as read and signed as a correct record by the Chairman.

  2. MATTERS ARISING

    There was none.

  3. CORRESPONDENCE

    • Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP, Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government
      outline of changes delivered by Coalition Government in relation to local government, housing and planning – Clerk to distribute by email. – Action CD
    • EALC
      High Speed Broadband Parish Survey – Clerk to return survey stating quality of Broadband delivery was “Below Adequate”. – Action CD
  4. MEETING REPORTS

    • North Uttlesford Community Forum
      no meeting since last report
    • Parish Planning Workshop
      no meeting since last report.
    • West Essex Area Forum
      next meeting 15 June 2010
    • Walden in Transition
      no meeting attended since last report
  5. ANNUAL MEETING REVIEW

    Attendance of residents was good and a lively meeting ensued. The main issue of the discussion period was anti social behaviour issues. Cllr Walsh was asked to establish what powers the County had with respect to large lorries/trucks on small roads – the Clerk was asked to chase this. – Action CD

  6. ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

    The Councillors were all very pleased with the actions being taken by PC Lark in connection with the anti social behaviour and criminal activity within the village. The Parish Council were also pleased to accept the apologies of three of the young people responsible for some of this behaviour. The Clerk was asked to write to PC Lark’s sergeant to praise her efforts tackling these village issues. – Action CD

    A residents’ meeting with PC Lark was not felt necessary at the moment but the Council will continue to keep this in mind. Mr Haylock reported that The Glebe insurers had written to withdraw their approval for an area for skateboards/bikes on the Glebe itself. However, the possibility of using the reserve graveyard for this activity was suggested and Mr Weedon will approach Rev Gillian Mann to ascertain if this could be pursued. – Action AW

  7. ENVIRONMENT

    Village Green Issues
    Mr Haylock will report at next meeting – awaiting extraction of paperwork from solicitors. – Action DH

  8. FINANCE

    The following account was approved for payment and a cheque drawn up:

    J Basham Grass Cutting £300.00

  9. HIGHWAYS

    Mr Drane reported that the resurfacing of the appalling section of Bumpstead Road was scheduled as a night work job sometime after 23 July and the VASI sign was listed for repair in a month or so. Unfortunately, Ray Curtis, Mr Drane’s contact at Highways in Essex County Council, has been promoted and will be leaving his position in four weeks. Mr Drane had written to congratulate him and ask for a suitable handover. The Council applauded Mr Drane on his persistence with regard to the resurfacing of the Bumpstead Road. Mr Drane also reported that the repair of the railings that had been vandalised had been completed and the provisional cost for these works is £1,100.

    Mr McCarthy will chase Iain Hurwood for an update with regard to the footway project. – Action SM

  10. FOOTPATHS

    P3
    The first cut is scheduled for 19/20 June.

    Mr Haylock had requested a specification regarding the Headland Management Scheme from ECC in Chelmsford, which he will report on at the next meeting. Apparently the main reason that P3 abandoned path cutting in parishes was that the original intention was to encourage wider use of the countryside. It was agreed that Hempstead was considered a flagship parish because of their overall countryside promotion. Miss Frost will send a copy of Walk 1 leaflet to Shirley Clayton-Anglin, HT PRoW Officer. – Action DH/DF

    Miss Frost had spoken to the Saffron Walden Tourist Information office about selling the leaflet for Walk 1 alongside those from other villages. However, it was agreed that we should not pursue this at present.

  11. MAINTENANCE PROJECTS

    • War Memorial Surround
      Mr Haylock had submitted the Community Project Grant application and will chase progress before the next meeting. Mr Weedon will follow up the possibility of a grant from the War Memorials Trust. – Action DH/AW

  12. COMMUNICATIONS

    Website – The Clerk had forwarded a number of documents to bring the Parish Council section up to date. It was noted that the Hempstead Parish Council section in Ambo had not been updated despite information being provided, this has been chased up for the next edition.
    Newsletter – next newsletter deadline 20 July 2010.

  13. EMERGENCY PLAN

    updated plan has now been circulated.

  14. PLANNING

    • UTT/1803/08/FUL – Lakehouse Farm
      no decision to date
    • Enforcement Notice ENF/170/09/B – Anso Corner
      tyres dumped in ditch
    • Enforcement Notice ENF/264/09/B – Harvey House, Hempstead Hall
      business being run without planning permission
    • UTT/0702/10/FUL – Barn opposite Wincelow Hall Wincelow Hall Road Hempstead
      no decision to date

  15. VILLAGE HALL

    nothing to report

    Future meeting dates – Thursday 8 July, Thursday 5 August and Thursday 2 September 2010.

    The meeting closed at 9.50pm.