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

Parish Council Minutes 17th May 2012

17th May 2012

CONFIRMED MINUTES OF A PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON
THURSDAY 17 MAY 2012
The Parish Council met in the Village Hall on Thursday 17 May at 8.00 pm.

Present:

Part Time:

Apologies:

  • County Councillor Simon Walsh
  • District Councillor Simon Howell

The meeting proper began at 7.55pm

  1. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 19 APRIL 2012

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

  2. MATTERS ARISING

    None not covered elsewhere.

  3. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

    Mr McCarthy was unanimously re-elected as Chairman. He thanked the councillors for their support.

  4. CORRESPONDENCE

    The Clerk had looked into the General Power of Competence Training but it was only appropriate to clerks who had completed the full CICLA training.

    The petition regarding wind turbines was discussed and differing opinions expressed and it was agreed not to sign it.

    The Clerk would return the 100 Parishes interest form.

  5. QUEEN’S JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

    Help was needed Friday putting up bunting on Friday 25th May. Posters were passed to the clerk to go on notice boards. Ticket sales were going well. It was confirmed that a letter to neighbours of the hall was in hand. Display equipment for the exhibition in the church was also discussed.

  6. ENVIRONMENT

    Village Green
    The protracted correspondence to ensure registration was of concern. Councillors expressed the view that the Clerk should emphasise that the area had been de-registered in error and this should be more speedily rectified.

  7. FINANCE

    The Budget was agreed subject to an adjustment of the amount planned for the Newsletter colour printing.

    The Clerk indicated that it may be necessary to call an extra meeting to pass the internally audited figures as the external auditor wanted them earlier than last year. The unaudited year end statement had been amended on the advice of Mr Cockman.

    Cheques were signed as follows

    Harts Annual report copying £28.00
    PAYE for first 6 months 2012/3 £199.40

  8. HIGHWAYS

    Mr Rowden had contacted the council about the speed of traffic through the village and the missing 30 mph signs. Mr Drane said that he had reported the latter but to no effect. He had similar frustrations reporting a dangerous section of road where a landslip had caused a 10 foot drop dangerously near the edge of the road towards Anser Corner just outside the village. Even when reported via the police no warning signs had been put in place. He was planning to try a new line of communication via Alistair Waters as he was having little success so far.

    Mr Sladen reported that in the recent heavy rain most of the system of drainage along Anser Road was working well, though at times the sheer volume had meant some road flooding.

  9. PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY

    It was hoped that Harry Luff could cut the footpaths before the Jubilee weekend and the planned walk. Mr Haylock would not be cutting any paths this year as the County believed that he was being paid under the Headland Management scheme and they believed that they could be more cost effective.

  10. MAINTENANCE

    Clean Up morning was planned for Saturday 19 May 10 until12 noon.

  11. PLANNING

    Cracknells Cottage – There were no objections to the proposed extension.
    The Limes – There were no objections to the proposed damp proof course works.

    It was noted that the new pagoda-like structure at Spitlands would probably need planning permission due to its height.

  12. ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

    Friday 18th May. All preparations were in place and both the district and county councillors had agreed to attend.

Future meeting dates – Thursdays 14 June, 12 July and 9th August all at 8pm in the Village Hall.

The meeting closed at 9.17 pm