Parish Council Minutes 17th December 2009

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

Apologies:

• Cllr Simon Walsh, County Councillor
• Cllr Sue Schneider, District Councillor

127. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 12 NOVEMBER 2009

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

128. MATTERS ARISING

     • Miss Frost had attended the Community Forum meeting on the 29 September 2009

129. CORRESPONDENCE

     • UDC
       invitation to consultation of budget and corporate plan.
     • UDC
       information re registration for severe weather warnings etc.

130. MEETING REPORTS

     • North Uttlesford Community Forum
       no meeting since last report, next meeting 14 January 2010, Mr McCarthy to apologise as clashes with Hempstead’s meeting. – Action SM
     • Parish Planning Workshop
       no meeting since last report
     • West Essex Area Forum
       17 November 2009, attendance not possible due to work commitments
     • Walden in Transition
       no meeting attended since last report

131. ENVIRONMENT

     Village Green Issues
     Mr Haylock had obtained the forms necessary for the transfer of title of the pond area and the first registration of the bus shelter to the Parish Council. The fees had been established at £50 and £30 respectively. Mr Haylock will liaise with Miss Frost to ensure that the forms are submitted. – Action DH/DF

     Sight Lines
     carried forward to next meeting.

132. THE GLEBE

     Mr Sladen reported that the Village Hall Management Committee as Trustees of the Hempstead Village Hall Charity had officially agreed to merge with the Hempstead Recreation Ground Charity – Mr Sladen and Mr Cockman will liaise with the Glebe Trustees. – Action JS

133. FINANCE

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

     The Society of Local Council Clerks	2010 Membership	£72.00
     Stop Stansted Expansion	Donation	£50.00

     The interim financial statement was reviewed and the level of precept was discussed. IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY AGREED that the precept remain at £7,300. The Clerk to submit the application accordingly.

     The Audit Commission had written with a proposal for a new district auditor (Wayne Rickard) – no objection was forthcoming.

134. HIGHWAYS

     Mr Drane reported that following the repainting of the railings at the duck pond he had asked for all roadside railings to be repainted. Mr Drane had also circulated some information on gates for the entrances of the village. It appears that 2m of verge is required for installation and as there is only one road where this is the case it was decided that gates could no longer be considered a possible option.

     Mr McCarthy had been contacted by the residents of Coach Road about flooding on that road. Following discussion of the problem it was decided that Mr McCarthy will liaise with Ray Searle (ECC Highways) for a solution. – Action SM

135. FOOTPATHS

     P3
     Miss Frost had applied to P3 for funding of the invoice supplied by Mr Haylock together with the end of year forms. Miss Frost reported on her meeting with Shirley Lucas (Charlotte Fellingham’s replacement) and subsequent correspondence with landowners regarding kissing gates to replace stiles etc. The advantages of kissing gates being more accessible, no need to licence and no maintenance as made of aluminium.

     Miss Frost had circulated a first draft of Walk 1 leaflet which was discussed in meeting. Miss Frost explained that the work had been completed on computer by using ‘Word’ rather than a graphics programme – deliberately to ensure ease of maintenance. A few minor alterations were noted and Miss Frost will then redistribute the leaflets and print sufficient to provide a supply to the Bluebell Inn. – Action DF

136. MAINTENANCE PROJECTS

     • Drinking Fountain
       Mr Haylock will remind Mark Halls again that the golden pineapple still needs attention. – Action DH
     • War Memorial Surround
       Miss Frost presented various options of stone, tiles etc for consideration together with options for design decisions etc. Considerable discussion followed and IT WAS AGREED that the current surround should be removed together with the shrubs and a new surround be installed. The back of the surround should be the same length as the bed, polished smooth stones should be used and the railings (in some form) should be retained. Miss Frost will liaise with Ridgeons as to design and costings for further discussion. Once some drawings were available and before any work commenced the village would be invited to review the proposition. It was also noted that both Friends of War Memorials and UDC Planning Department should be advised of the final decisions. Mr McCarthy thanked Miss Frost for her work so far. – Action ALL

137. COMMUNICATIONS

     Website – Updating is continuing.
     Newsletter – next newsletter deadline 20 January 2010. Miss Frost commented that reminders for news items should not be necessary.

138. EMERGENCY PLAN

     Mr Sladen reported the updated version will be emailed shortly.

139. PLANNING

     • 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/261/09/B – Hillside
       brick house painted white in conservation area
     • Enforcement Notice ENF/264/09/B – Harvey House, Hempstead Hall
       business being run without planning permission

140. VILLAGE HALL

     nothing new to report

141. STANSTED AIRPORT

     nothing new to report.

     Future meeting dates – Thursday 14 January, Thursday 11 February and Thursday 11 March 2010.

     The meeting closed at 9.55pm.