Parish Council Minutes 13th July 2006

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 15 JUNE 2006

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

MATTERS ARISING

from previous Minutes, not dealt with in the main agenda

• Public Rights of Way
  Mr Haylock had submitted a further application for funding from the 2006/07 grant allocation. He had also received a copy of the plan from Mike Felgate showing village green areas.

• Highways
  The issue of parking in the centre of the village was discussed. The verge cutting program was running very late this year and seemed to be done in an extremely long winded fashion. Miss Frost will write to ECC with a complaint.– Action DF

• P3
  Miss Frost had been unable to request the initial £600 from P3 as discussed previously as she did not have the relevant forms. It was decided a sub-committee meeting would be arranged within a week or so to establish which field edge paths should/could be included and complete the pro forma for submission.– Action DF/DH

  Miss Frost would also establish whether verge cutting could be included in P3 work.– Action DF

• Best Kept Village 2006
  Alan Weedon had attended the award ceremony the previous evening and was pleased to announce that Hempstead was Runner Up in Class 4.

REVIEW OF NEWCOMERS MEETING (16/6/06)

It was generally felt to have been a valuable meeting – very well received but the proof will be seen as to how much involvement transpires. The event should be repeated as necessary (possibly in 2/3 years).

CORRESPONDENCE

WEBSITE

Miss Frost reported that there was approximately £350 remaining from the various grants received for the website creation and upkeep. This will be monitored in view of future expenses as necessary. The site is being well maintained but there may be a lull in updating during August due to holiday commitments.

FINANCE

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

PLANNING

Wellyard Cottage – UTT/0670/06/FUL – Permission refused (excessive size, inappropriate design, internal layout not providing sufficient access on all levels).
Moss’s Farm – UTT/1912/05/FUL – Appeal lodged, to be decided by written statements.
Stansted Airport Generation 1 – UTT/0717/06/FUL – Support letter from Rt Hon Sir Alan Haselhurst received following submission of objections to planning permission.

HIGHWAYS

Repair of the water leak near the fountain is in hand.

Resurfacing of Church Hill was carried out on 29 June from the junction with B1054 to just before Church Farm ponds. Mr McCarthy will call Highways as it was understood that kerbing at the Ring of Trees would be put in before the resurfacing was carried out.– Action SM

Proposed Extension of Speed Limit areas – Mr Davies had written a well argued letter against these proposals, which was discussed at length by the Council. Mr McCarthy will send a reply to Mr Davies. It remains the Council’s policy to reduce speed on the roads within the parish and this proposal will be considered alongside any others that come to the fore.– Action SM

COMMON LAND REGISTRATION

The land from the war memorial past the bus stop was not thought to be registered as common land. Mr McCarthy will pursue. The land round the pump and pond were village green according to ECC (plan received from Mike Felgate) and the Ring of Trees is owned by the Parish Council.– Action SM

VILLAGE HALL

Mr Sladen reported on the meeting held in June and stated that the income for the half year was down due to a reduction in bookings and expenditure had risen, due mainly to higher energy costs. Mr Sladen and Miss Frost were obtaining quotes for acoustic cladding to be installed in the hall.

STANSTED AIRPORT

Nothing to report

The dates of the next meetings are 24 August, 19 September and 26 October 2006.

The meeting closed at 10pm.