Parish Council Minutes 12th November 2009

• Mr S McCarthy (Chairman)
• Mr David Drane
• Miss D Frost
• Mr David Haylock
• Mr J Sladen
• Mr A Weedon
• Parish Clerk

Apologies:

• Mrs Sara Scott

112. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 15 OCTOBER 2009

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

113. MATTERS ARISING

     • ECC Highways West Area Annual Meeting Friday 18 December 2009 Public Rights Of Way Improvement Programme 2010-2011
       Miss Frost will try to attend this meeting, work commitments allowing.

114. CORRESPONDENCE

     • ECC
       Street Lighting Private Finance Initiative – not applicable as no street lights in parish
     • UDC
       Adoption of little used Red Telephone Kiosks – Clerk to reply Hempstead can not lose public telephone facility as village is in a very poor reception area for mobile phones. – Action CD
     • RNIB
       campaign to raise awareness of dangers of cars parking on and blocking pavements – while not a massive problem in the parish the Clerk was asked to write and ask for increased powers to PCSOs to help alleviate this problem countywide. – Action CD
     • ECC
       Statement of Community Involvement Minerals & Waste Development Framework – noted.

115. MEETING REPORTS

     • North Uttlesford Community Forum
       no meeting since last report, next meeting 14 January 2010
     • Parish Planning Workshop
       no meeting since last report
     • West Essex Area Forum
       no meeting since last report, next meeting 17 November 2009, attendance is not possible due to work commitments, Clerk to send apology – Action CD
     • Walden in Transition
       no meeting attended since last report

116. ENVIRONMENT

     Village Green Issues
     A reply from EALC regarding the transferring of title of common land and village green parcels from private ownership to Parish Council ownership was received shortly before the meeting. Mr Haylock will read the Legal Topic Notes and Land Registry information supplied. Miss Frost will also review the Land Registry information and then liaise with the Land Registry regarding their fee basis. – Action DH/DF

     Sight Lines
     Ben Smeedon, UDC Tree Officer had reviewed the trees obstructing views of the church and in his opinion some of the trees could be trimmed but it was not necessary. However, the Council discussed some old photos showing lovely open views. Mr Weedon was asked to bring some photos to the next meeting so that the matter could be discussed further. – Action AW

117. THE GLEBE

     Mr Sladen reported that the next meeting of the Village Hall Management Committee was scheduled for 16 November, so the status matter had yet to be discussed/approved. – Action JS

118. FINANCE

     The following accounts were approved for payment and cheques drawn up:

     S McCarthy	Village Clear Up Day refreshments	£24.40
     Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal	Remembrance Day Wreath	£20.00

     Accounts to 31 October were reviewed in anticipation of the budget discussions at the next meeting.

119. HIGHWAYS

     Footway
     Mr McCarthy had received copy correspondence to Cllr Walsh advising that background processes were still being carried out. An email had also been received from Iain Hurwood, indicating that approval was being sought to secure funds to enable movement of telegraph poles and BT equipment. They were also seeking funds for the legal costs of land acquisitions and looking for compulsory purchase powers for land required, should this become necessary. The accommodation work requirements will also be discussed with landowners in due course. The Clerk was asked to contact Cllr Walsh in January to ensure that contact is maintained and the project does not get side-lined. – Action CD

     Update on Ongoing Matters
     Mr Drane reported that the access to Harvey Way had been completed. Mr McCarthy will advise Environmental Services so that the residents of Harvey Way will have their refuse collected with the rest of the village on Fridays. The drainage and ditch work on Anso Road had also been completed – Mr Sladen will monitor the effects. The railings at the duck pond on Church Hill had been repainted. Repair of the sign at the junction of Anso Road and the B1053 is still outstanding. White gates on the verges at the entrance to the village were discussed; however the verges are too narrow for installation. Mr McCarthy noted that neither PC Dawn Bamford nor any other police personnel had attended our meeting. – Action DD

     Mr Drane was asked to contact Ray Curtis (ECC Highways) to establish what other solutions are available for slowing traffic in the village. Mr McCarthy thanked Mr Drane for a job well done.

     Community Speed Watch
     no further information had been received before this meeting.

120. FOOTPATHS

     Re-alignment scheme
     Official notice for public consultation to change FP51 and FP71 to bridleways had been received and displayed on the noticeboard.

     P3
     Miss Frost had applied to P3 for kissing gates for the field neat Quail Farm Cottage. Miss Frost will ask Mr Sills if the stiles on his Hempstead land are all registered. – Action SM

121. MAINTENANCE PROJECTS

     • Drinking Fountain
       Mr Haylock will remind Mark Halls again that the golden pineapple still needs attention. – Action DH
     • War Memorial Surround
       Following the newsletter request for comment regarding the refurbishment of the war memorial surround, none had been received. The Council would consider options for discussion at the next meeting, together with a budget and suggestion of grants to be sought. – Action ALL

122. COMMUNICATIONS

     Website – Miss Frost and Helen Philip (web editor) have reviewed the website and are in the process of updating information.
     Newsletter – next newsletter deadline 20 November 2009

123. EMERGENCY PLAN

     Mr Sladen reported that the Emergency Committee had reviewed the plan and an updated version will be emailed in due course. Mr Sladen asked that the plan be printed out to ensure access even in the case of power failure.

124. PLANNING

     • PLANNING – UTT/1803/08/FUL – Lakehouse Farm
       no decision to date
     • APP/C1570/A/09/2108227/WF – Highbanks
       dismissed

     The proposals to alter 2 footpaths to bridle ways – one progressing and one still to be decided

     • Enforcement Notice ENF/170/09/B – Anso Corner – tyres dumped in ditch
       no further information obtained, Mr Sladen will contact UDC for further action under the Emergency Plan umbrella.
     • Enforcement Notice ENF/261/09/B – Hillside
       brick house painted white in conservation area

125. VILLAGE HALL

     The AGM was held on Monday 19 October – no member of the public attended.

126. STANSTED AIRPORT

     nothing new to report.

     Future meeting dates – Thursday 17 December 2009, Thursday 14 January and Thursday 11 February 2010.

     The meeting closed at 9.40pm.