Parish Council Minutes 15th October 2009

• Mr S McCarthy (Chairman)
• Mr David Haylock
• Mrs Sara Scott
• Mr J Sladen
• Mr A Weedon
• Parish Clerk

• Cllr Simon Walsh, County Councillor

Apologies:

• Cllr Sue Schneider, District Councillor
• Mr David Drane
• Miss D Frost

97. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 17 SEPTEMBER 2009

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

98. MATTERS ARISING

    There were none.

99. CORRESPONDENCE

    There were none.

100. MEETING REPORTS

     • North Uttlesford Community Forum
       no meeting since last report
     • Parish Planning Workshop
       no meeting since last report
     • West Essex Area Forum
       no meeting since last report, next meeting 17 November
     • Walden in Transition
       no meeting attended since last report

101. ENVIRONMENT

     Village Green Issues
     Mr Haylock had drafted a letter to EALC requesting legal help with the issue of transferring title of common land and village green parcels from private ownership to Parish Council ownership. This was discussed and the Clerk will prepare it for final approval and sending out. – Action CD

     Sight Lines
     Mr Haylock had spoken to Ben Smeedon, UDC Tree Officer who has agreed to a site visit in the very near future. – Action DH

102. THE GLEBE

     Discussion of the status of The Glebe trustees ensued. IT WAS AGREED that to regularise the position Hempstead Recreation Ground Trust be amalgamated with Hempstead Village Hall Charity Trust. IT WAS FURTHER AGREED that the proposal should be put to the next meeting of the Village Hall Trustees for approval. – Action JS

103. FINANCE

     Approval of the full council was given for the following payment since the previous meeting:

     Land Registry

     Fees

     £5.00

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

     Dirt Busters	Cleaning of village sign	£86.25
     PHM	Second cut of PRoW network	£1,247.98

104. HIGHWAYS

     Mr McCarthy reported that no further news had been received from Iain Hurwood but that it appeared that things were still progressing, albeit slowly.

     Mr Drane had supplied a report in his absence. The Planned Parish Visit items had all been completed together with white lines at junctions, fence post at corner of Anso Road and some carriageway patching. Alteration of Harvey Way entrance will now be carried out in the week commencing 19 October. Railings at the duck pond at the top of Church Hill will be replaced in November. Repair of the sign at the junction of Anso Road and the B1053 is still outstanding. Additionally, during the week commencing 26 October, ditch and drain maintenance work will be carried out along Anso Road which will necessitate the closure of the road.

     Community Speed Watch
     An update had been received from Georgie Davis (Essex Police) with initial proposals based around a Memorandum of Understanding between Essex Police Neighbourhood Policing Teams and the CSW groups with a view to improve and enhance the current operation of the scheme. Once developed this Memorandum of Understanding will be circulated to all CSW groups for comment

105. FOOTPATHS

     Re-alignment scheme
     Three footpath signs had been collected for use in regularising the PRoW alongside Turners Lane.

     A note was requested for the Newsletter that dogs should be kept on leads around livestock to avoid dangerous incidents occurring. – Action SM

106. MAINTENANCE PROJECTS

     • Drinking Fountain
       The grant monies had been received from the Community Initiative Fund. Mr Haylock has reminded Mark Halls again that the golden pineapple still needs attention. – Action DH
     • Village Sign
       The cleaning work has now been completed. Thanks to Mr Drane for organising this.
     • War Memorial Surround
       Following completion of planting of the new hedge to the rear of the War Memorial, it was noted that there was very uneven ground around the War Memorial. IT WAS AGREED that “something needs to be done”. A note was to be put in the newsletter stating that the Parish Council were considering refurbishing the War Memorial area but were aware that this was a sensitive area. Residents would be invited to make comment. – Action SM

107. COMMUNICATIONS

     Website – nothing to report
     Newsletter – next newsletter deadline 20 October 2009

108. EMERGENCY PLAN

     A meeting is still to be held.

109. PLANNING

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

     The proposals to alter 2 footpaths to bridle ways – no decision to date

     • Enforcement Notice ENF/170/09/B – Anso Corner – tyres dumped in ditch
       Clerk to contact Enforcement Officer UDC for update. – Action CD

     Mr Haylock was asked to find out the Conservation Area rules from Mr Smeedon (UDC) specifically relating to exterior paintwork. – Action DH

110. VILLAGE HALL

     The AGM is scheduled for Monday 19 October. A larger shed has been erected and racking installed to facilitate storage.

111. STANSTED AIRPORT

     nothing new to report.

     Future meeting dates – Thursday 12 November, Thursday 17 December 2009 and Thursday 14 January 2010.

     The meeting closed at 9.20pm.